29 The dreaded 4-4-4-1

Well, there are two people who needn’t dread it if they pick it up.

First, the defence bidder with about 9 points. If your singleton is the suit just bid, there’s a wonderful take-out double in your hand. Your powerful shape excuses you from having the usual 12 points, go ahead if they bid the right suit. And if they bid one of the other three, pass and smile as you know that whichever suit they end up in, there’s a nasty shock waiting for them. Better go NT, hadn’t they?

Second, the responder If partner opens one of your three suits there’s a 3 or 4 contract looming. If it’s the singleton, things might not be so good.  Bid as low as you can until you find a fit. If partner simply repeats his suit, disappear. NT doesn’t look likely.

Third, it’s only the opener really who should worry.  Grit your teeth and carry out the proper procedure: use the Taps method: i.e. bid the hearts if you have them, the clubs if not. Simple.  You remember this because your water taps are Hot and Cold.  Other methods abound, but believe me, I have studied this problem all my life and Taps is the answer. It’s not perfect! If it was we wouldn’t dread this shape. But it has a chance. You have three suits; if your partner now bids one of them you simply raise it. Problem solved. But if he bids your singleton suit (the odds favour this) you make the cheapest bid available.  So now you have bid two suits and unless your partner has four of your second she will suppose your first suit is a 5-carder and will put you back there, possibly with a 4-2 fit. I’m going now, I can’t look.

So, if other factors look unfavourable, it could be best not to open this hand, even with 12-14. But if the hand looks nice and fat, and the wind is behind you: Taps, here we come. The choice is yours.