I Just Know

11th February – Board 8. Love All. Dealer West.

Duplication of values is always annoying, a fact that South could use to protect himself against criticism from a hostile partner….

	North: S A Q H J 9 5 3 D Q 10 7 5 C 9 4 2
West: S J 9 8 7 6 5 H K 4 2 D K 6 C A 7		East: S K 10 4 3 2 H Q D J 9 3 2 C K 10 8
	South: S none H A 10 8 7 6 D A 8 4 C Q J 6 5 3

West	North	East	South
1S	No	4S	4NT
No	5D	Dbl	5H
???

East is worth a direct raise to 4S although probably not via a splinter but as South I just know I would wade in with 4NT, showing any two-suiter. North bids 5D indicating that he would be prepared to play in hearts if his partner held that suit and that of course is exactly what would come to pass. Now if the opposition double 5H that should be three down and minus 500 – not a good save at pairs against 420 – but declarer would be justified in bemoaning his bad luck when dummy goes down with so much in spades, even more so if he plays an optimistic queen from dummy at trick one. On the positive side E/W might be driven to 5S in a fit of pique and then it would be all smiles in the other direction.