[WasWinM]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-October-29, 12:41, said:

are you saying you don't double 3♠ with a 1444 13 ? that's losing bridge, the hand with short spades must act

If I bid, I'm not acting "with short spades". I'm committing our side to either play 3S doubled or play a contract at the 4 level with a hand that isn't good enough to do either. I certainly have lost more often than I've won, but I've also won my share. I don't consider being preempted successfully the end of the world.

[Cyberyeti]

WasWinM, on 2026-October-29, 16:04, said:

If I bid, I'm not acting "with short spades". I'm committing our side to either play 3S doubled or play a contract at the 4 level with a hand that isn't good enough to do either. I certainly have lost more often than I've won, but I've also won my share. I don't consider being preempted successfully the end of the world.

My point is that partner needs quite a lot with 3 spades to bid in 4th seat, and if he doesn't have 3 spades, he may have to bid over 4♠.

I would much rather make my entry now rather than defend 3♠ opposite partner's flat 14.

[mike777]

pescetom, on 2026-October-29, 03:13, said:

Do your best to forget the other hand.

---

Your call now?

pass

[pescetom]

Here is the full board.

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Does anyone want to dissent from the initial 3♠ by South (preferably looking only at that hand)?

[Cyberyeti]

No probs with 3♠, it goes for 800

Unless you're going to bid 5♦ which I would expect partner to raise, you're not beating that

[pescetom]

Cyberyeti, on 2026-October-30, 15:18, said:

No probs with 3♠, it goes for 800

Yes you know that now
We had one hothead in 4♠, plus a couple of cold feet in 2♠ and even Pass.
Just wondering what people would do seeing their cards.

[pescetom]

At national level, one third were in 3NT making with overtricks, a tenth in 4♥ making somehow and a fifth raking in a rich penalty from spades.
Not one found 6♦.

[mike777]

 pescetom, on 2026-October-30, 13:55, said:

Here is the full board.

---

Does anyone want to dissent from the initial 3♠ by South (preferably looking only at that hand)?

800 not terrible for EW.

[apollo1201]

 mike777, on 2026-October-30, 17:51, said:

800 not terrible for EW.

I am surprised it was not such a good score.
I would go down in 6D losing the finesse against N supposed Qxx D. I guess pairs who have the level to bid this hard to find slam (especially after the preempt) would take the same line.
Unopposed it is already a bit tricky (1H 2D 3S! which I play around 16-18).
+ 460 was a popular score?

[Cyberyeti]

pescetom, on 2026-October-30, 15:30, said:

Yes you know that now
We had one hothead in 4♠, plus a couple of cold feet in 2♠ and even Pass.
Just wondering what people would do seeing their cards.

I'm saying I would have no problem with opening 3♠, at other vuls I might open 4

[pescetom]

 apollo1201, on 2026-October-31, 01:26, said:

I am surprised it was not such a good score.
I would go down in 6D losing the finesse against N supposed Qxx D. I guess pairs who have the level to bid this hard to find slam (especially after the preempt) would take the same line.
Unopposed it is already a bit tricky (1H 2D 3S! which I play around 16-18).
+ 460 was a popular score?

+800 was a good score, 90%. +1100 was even better and more frequent too.

If you cash hearts Ace and then play a heart South will show out, which might change your thoughts about vacant spaces for diamonds although you will now have to decide whether to ruff the continuation with K or J.

Yes, about a third were in +400/430/460 and half of those 460.

[pescetom]

 Cyberyeti, on 2026-October-31, 02:47, said:

I'm saying I would have no problem with opening 3♠, at other vuls I might open 4

My thoughts exactly too.
Just sanity checking.

[WasWinM]

pescetom, on 2026-October-30, 13:55, said:

Here is the full board.

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Does anyone want to dissent from the initial 3♠ by South (preferably looking only at that hand)?

At this vulnerability, yes. We've grown so preempt happy it seems we've forgotten the reason to do so, to muddy the waters for opps, who, this time, are not-vulnerable, so won't be pushing for close games and slams and may well be happy to take a penalty. First seat, red v white, should come with a warning label.