IT IS NOT always wise to double a slam contract, especially when the bidding indicates the opponents are holding highly distributional hands.
West doubled the one-club opening, intending to bid clubs if partner responded in hearts. North’s double jump in hearts showed a distributional hand with a long heart suit. East, holding the ace of diamonds, felt the final contract of six hearts should be set and, therefore, doubled.
East opened with the ace of diamonds and shifted to a trump. North proceeded to establish her diamond suit by winning the trump trick in her hand with the eight, and then crossruffing diamonds and spades twice to set up the diamond suit. She then pulled the outstanding trump and claimed the doubled contract for what turned out to be a top on the board.
At first glance it may appear that declarer may have trouble with a trump opening lead; however, if East should adopt this defense, declarer will still be able to establish the diamond suit with the loss of only one trick. With a trump lead and east winning the first diamond trick with the ace, and continuing with a trump, declarer still has two hearts on the board for two ruffs of diamonds, dropping the king and establishing the suit.
If East does not take the first diamond trick, but allows partner to win with the king, partner has no heart to return, and dummy will have three trumps for rut-ting purposes, enough to set up the diamond suit.
In conclusion, unless you know that trumps will bring a defensive trick or two, or the occasion calls for the use of the Lightner double (asking for an un-usual lead), be very cautious about doubling a slam contract — perhaps, the opponents know what they are doing.