A belated Happy New Year to all readers. Mine started with pneumonia and a stay in the Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital, but I am now on the mend. Way to go Canadian Juniors! Jets, it’s now your turn!

There are a couple of choices players would consider over 3♣:

Pass.Although a conservative choice, it could easily be right. However at this vulnerability North could easily have a semi-trap pass of 3xCx with a hand such as, ♠x ♥Axxx ♦Qxx ♣K109x.

Double. Partner will smile and pass with the hand above. The other plus about double is that brings into play both majors. The downside is you won’t be happy with any diamond bid, and partner’s likely 3NT will be apt to miss a 5-3 fit in a major suit.

4♣ is for the deranged. You will get to a major, but may go for your life. If four of a major is makeable partner will often look for slam.

3♠ is a compromise. It loses the penalty double, and only brings one major into the picture, unless of course you are going to bid the other one. On balance, I think double is best. I will pass 3♦, 4♦ and 3NT. If partner bids 5♦ I will look at the tournament schedule to see what event I can play in tomorrow. 3♠ is a solid 2^nd choice.

What do you bid over 3NT?

I think over 3NT pass is definitely right. It is looking like RHO has good holdings in both majors. If so he may double. Even with a fit, I don’t expect to make it if West doubles. This is exactly what happened in the 2006 Rosenblum Cup semi-finals. At one table South (hands rotated) balanced with 3♠ and converted 3NT to 4♥ which East doubled. The full deal:

This went down three for +500 for East-West.

Lessons to Learn

1)     West’s 3♣ was your first sign that the hand may be a misfit.

2)     Although 3♠ was far from perfect it was a reasonable shot.

3)     If deciding among game or slam choices, and you are on uncertain ground, the saying, ‘No double no trouble’ can be very good advice.

4)     Bridge is like driving a car, sometimes you step on the gas, sometimes the break, and sometimes neither.