Matchpoints. N-Svulnerable.
♠4 3 ♥J ♦3 2 ♣K J 10 9 7 6 4 3
| West | North | East | South |
| ? |
What’s Your Call?
| 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♥ | 1♠ | 1NT |
| 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT |
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Dbl | Pass |
Don’t be too friendly
South is at unfavorable vulnerability and this hand has many losers. Nevertheless, the majority chooses 3♣. Why?
Walker: “3♣ is very pushy with a seven-loser hand at this vulnerability, but passing is too friendly to the opponents.”
Sanborn: “3♣ is about right trickwise. If not now, then when?”
Stack: “4♣ seems too much, but 3♣ seems about right.”
Meckstroth: “I don’t have the playing strength to open 4♣.”
Colchamiro: “Is this a joke? If colors are for children, then pass the Legos.”
Coopers: “Yes, we have eight clubs, but this is the only vulnerability where we preempt one less.”
Robinson: “This hand is not strong enough for 4♣ at this vulnerability.”
Cohen: “Vulnerability makes cowards of us all. Normally, I would preempt to the four level with an eight-card suit.”
Joyces: “We have an extra club, but we are vulnerable.”
Falk: “What’s the problem? Passing means I can probably never show anything like what I hold. Most club bids later are Drury or show more values or a side four-card major because I didn’t open 3♣ originally. I’ll avoid these problems, thank you very much.”
What’s the problem? Several experts see one.
“Pass,” says Lawrence. “This hand doesn’t fit any sane description of a vulnerable first-seat preempt.”
“Our partners have no sense of humor at these colors,” say the Gordons.
“The words ‘heaven forbid’ come to mind when contemplating opening 3♣,” says Rigal. “I’d prefer opening a strong 1NT and passing Stayman if I’m going to psych. At least partner will know I meant to psych as opposed to having to guess when he sees my hand.”
“The eighth club is nice, but I still think it’s a misrepresentation to open 3♣ at this vulnerability,” says Meyers.
“Not the right club suit or hand for a first-seat preempt at this vulnerability,” say the Sutherlins. “We may get another chance to bid clubs.”
Preempting makes life hard for opponents — don’t be too friendly.
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