'Too Good'

‘Too Good’.

12^th October – Board 22. E/W Game. Dealer East.

It somehow offends one’s amour propre to be shoved aside by a preemptive bid, which is of course one of the reasons why they are so effective. But sometimes discretion has to be the order of the day.

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

West	North	East	South
		No	No
3D	End

Would you come in over a three level preempt on that North hand after partner has passed? I have to say I probably would although in the cold light of day I think it is wrong! The danger signs are there sure enough. Partner hasn’t opened, the suits are likely to break badly and even more important is the fact that partner is likely to bid spades. So to stay silent is probably the winning move – certainly on this hand – and if you find you can make 6H or something then you just have to say ‘too good’.