Fatal Hesitation

9th January – Board 24: Love All. Dealer West.

The ‘Stop’ rule is a good one after most skip bids but particularly so after a pre-empt, as the following hand shows.

	North: S A 5 2 H K J 10 5 3 D A 5 3 C J 3
West: S Q 9 4 H Q 9 D K Q J 8 6 4 2 C 5		East: S J 8 7 6 H 6 2 D 10 9 C K Q 9 7 4
	South: S K 10 3 H A 8 7 4 D 7 C A 10 8 6 2

West	North	East	South
3D	No	No	Dbl
No	4H	End

You might think the West hand is a little heavy for 3D but I think it’s ok. First in hand is a good time to pre-empt because you have two opponents you might confuse and only one partner and those major suit queens are doubtful assets. But what about North? He is very close to competing with 3H but cannot be blamed for passing, but whatever he decides he only bids after the ten seconds West should have allowed him. At one table it became apparent that North was in turmoil and that put an ethical constraint on South who really should have made a protective double. In the eventuality he passed and an easy game was missed; indeed a slam can be made with the easy disposition of the adverse cards.