Bidding went pass-3D-pass-3H-pass-4C-pass-4H all pass

 

There were several pre-empts to make this week, here is one of them.  On board 7 I had to decide what to do when Georgia opened 3D. She was 2nd in hand and vunerable. so should have a decent 7-card suit and a fair chance of making 7 tricks in her hand. I held S A9543  H KQJ542  D 9 C A

 

What to do? be aggressive, or cowardly? What will others do in this position? What would YOU do!!  First thoughts, were pass and hope. However, I decided that the chances of making a major suit game were too good to pass 3D and that most others would think the same.

 

So, I bid 3H, which is forcing opposite a pre-empt, and suggests a good, long suit so partner can raise with 2 or 3 card support.  We also play a bit of system here, which Georgia knew but decided not to use; with a 3-card fit for spades, she would bid 3S, without, 3NT is the response, which automatically marks partner with some club length, as she has denied holding many major suit cards.  However, Georgia could not bring herself to bid 3NT with TWO singletons, so bid 4C which should really be a cue bid for hearts, as 3NT would have shown some clubs by default. She could have bid 4D with a hand that is hopeless for 3NT eg S x H x D QJ10xxxxx C QJx but her hand was not it. Anyway, I bid 4H and went one down. It was NOT a good contract, and not helped by S ruffing the first round of diamonds!

 

Passing 3D would have been fine as it is an easy make with a trump endplay on North.

 

Looking at the score on the board, our -100 was exactly average. Many N/S pairs conceded large penalties. It looks as if some Easts passed 3D and the  Souths reopened and conceded cricket scores. One E/W pair scored 600, presumably in 3NT which is cold when the hearts break 3-3.

 

So what if Georgia HAD bid the system bid of 3NT? would I have had the bottle to pass it, with a stiff CA and poor spades? We'll never know.....(probably is my guess!)

 

Next time, I'll pass quickly and hope that the next hand reopens......