Real Deal #74 (in Audrey Grant Magazine)
| Vul:None Dlr: East |  A95 KQ9 A43 KQ74 | |
| Q876 A754 10 A832 | 43 1086 KQJ87652 -- | |
| KJ102 J32 9 J10965 |
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pass | ||
| Pass | Dbl | Pass | 4 |
| All Pass |
The Auction
East has a perfect hand with which to preempt (all the points in the strong, long suit). With an 8-card suit, we typically preempt on the 4 level, so East opens 4. South passes and so does West (with maybe one more ace, West could consider trying 5).
North has 18 HCP, way too much to pass. Double of a high level preempt is “takeout/cards.” It isn’t for penalties, but partner will often leave it in with a flat hand and nothing special to say. Here, South has nice distribution (including shortness in the opponent’s suit), so takes it out. Since 4 is a level lower than 5, it is the proper choice. On this Real Deal, 5 would be easier to play (9 trumps) than 4 (only 7 trumps).
The Play
West leads the 10, partner’s suit. In a suit contract, we count losers. Declarer budgets to lose to both missing aces, and maybe the Q. Can the shortage of trumps be overcome.
Dummy wins the A and declarer shouldn’t panic. Playing clubs (or hearts) now opens up declarer to the defense getting ruffs. So, this is actually a “draw-trump” deal. How to draw them? Since diamonds are likely 8-1, this makes it much more likely that West holds the SQ (West has 12 cards outside of diamonds; East has only 5). Accordingly, declarer should cross to the K and at trick two and finesse spades against West. A spade to the 9 wins (East following suit is great news). Now, declarer lays down the A, but doesn’t get lucky enough to find a 3-3 break.
Still, things are okay as long as West has both missing aces (and no more diamonds). Declarer starts clubs and all is good. West can take the A at any point, but has no way to prevent declarer from making the contract. South loses only the Q and the two aces for a nifty +420.
Lesson Points
1) Preempt on the 4 level with an 8-card suit.
2) Double of a 4-level preempt isn’t for penalty; it shows a willingness to have partner take it out.
3) A high-level double gets taken out if that player has nice distribution.
4) In a 4-3 fit, don’t panic.
5) When one player has preempted, it makes it likely that a missing key card in another suit is with the partner of the preempter.