Dlr: S
Vul: N-S

North
♠ QJ6542
♥ 4
♦ JT64
♣ 84

South
♠ K73
♥ A987653
♦ 2
♣ T6

Hi Andy,

I opened the south hand 2♦ showing only a weak option either in H’s or S’s.

Partner passed, his theory is if undoubled in this situation where he is sure I will be playing opposite his singleton, it will have the best outcome.

2♦ went down seven for -700. It wasn’t a pick up, teamies did very well to get to 5♣’s making for +420.

Interested in your opinion on:
a) Should I pass the south hand rather than lie about trump length with the 2♥ opening bid?
b) What do you think of passing the 2♦?

Hi Viv,

I think South’s hand is not quite right for a preempt. I can see some negative factors:
– It’s a 7-card suit
– The suit isn’t that offensive (A-empty as opposed to, say, QJT9), since it’s a good suit to have on defence
– It has Kxx spades

I understand the thought about not preempting at 3♥ and open 2♥ instead due to the vulnerability, but since our hand is very much playable in spades, I’d be inclined to pass. It’s not that I consider the 3-card major a negative, it’s just that it is Kxx spades and A-to seven hearts which make it a combined negative. It’s also not so much about having an extra heart – I would open 2♥ with say Kx KJ9xxxx xx xx. Anyway having said that, preempts can always work so it doesn’t matter too much whether you open it or not.

Over the 2♦ opening, I think partner should definitely bid 2♥ pass or correct. Especially at this vulnerability, passing 2♦ is not a good idea (as per the table result!). It might be an OK idea when favourable but I would still probably be against it – who says 2♥ is going to be doubled? Sometimes hearts are 3-3 and no one can penalty double(pass). Holding 3 HCP and partner opening a weak two in a major, it’s unlikely we’ll play in 2♦ undoubled (except at these colours where it is bad for us), so I would tend to just do the “down the line” action and bid 2♥.

Hope that helps,
Andy