Nil Vul S Dealer	♠ Q 7 5 4 ♥ 9 6 3 ♦ 9 8 ♣ A 9 8 2
♠ J 10 6 3 ♥ A Q 7 5 4 ♦ K Q J 3 ♣		♠ A K 9 8 2 ♥ K 10 ♦ A 10 7 6 ♣ 4 3
	♠ ♥ J 8 2 ♦ 5 4 2 ♣ K Q J 10 7 6 5

Hi Andy,

We were East/West and missed a slam, again. How should we proceed over 3♣ opening? Is East’s hand strong enough to bit 4♣? Should West bid 4NT over 4♠? Or if she bid 5♣, is this Blackwood? Or should West bid 3♥ instead of double??

Thanks. Tomoko

Hi Tomoko,

West is certainly right to double on the first round, as a 3♥ overcall may lose the spades/diamonds if North was able to push the preempt even higher. East’s hand, however, is quite strong; thus, I think East should start with 4♣. This should excite West particularly holding the club void, and rather than just bidding 4♥, West will likely give encouragement with a 5♣ bid. This would be enough for East to bid the small slam in spades.
Granted, it is definitely easier seeing all four hands as dealing against preempts is always difficult, but East should recognise the powerful 14 HCP outside of clubs (i.e. no wasted values), and even if West had a minimum 4=4=4=1 (e.g. Qxxx=Axxx=KQxx=x) slam is still a good shot so East should make a stronger bid than 4♠.

Hope that helps,
Andy