Vul:None Dlr: W	Q986  AK6  987  K97
AK74  QJ75  Q102  65		J3  --  J6543  QJ10832
	1052  1098432  AK  A4

West	North	East	South
1	Dbl	3	4
All Pass

Simon Cochemé , the dealer (who has a great sense of humor) pointed out to me that West could open a weak notrump. You see, Simon is from England, where many players use a 1NT opening as 12-14 balanced. But, here in the West, our range is 15-17, so I’m having none of that weak notrump stuff. Admittedly, West’s 1 doesn’t thrill me, but it is what West has to bid in “Standard.” With no 5-card major, and not 3 clubs, the correct opening is 1 on the 3-card suit. This is the only distribution (exactly 4-4 in the majors and 3-2 in the minors) with which we would ever open in a 3-card diamond suit. I suppose West could pass, but I open just about all 12-counts. Maybe if you gave me 4-3-3-3 shape and no tens and it looked really ugly, I would pass. But this 12 has some nice features (the ace-king, the two four-card suits, the “married” honors in the majors, a ten – and it also meets the “Rule of 20” – 12 HCP + 8 cards in the two longest suits).

Speaking of 4-3-3-3 shape, North also has a borderline opening bid. I do like aces and kings, so I actually would open that North hand if I had the chance. Since it is roughly worth an opening bid and has support for all three unbid suits (clubs, hearts and spades), I would enter the auction aggressively with a takeout double as shown. Getting in at a low level (especially not vulnerable) is a good idea. Passing and maybe ending up +50 on a partscore deal when you can make a contract your way is a poor matchpoint strategy.

East has a lot of shape and a weak hand—perfect for a preempt. As dealer, I would open the East hand 3(especially not vulnerable). Here, most players treat the jump (after the double) to 3 as preemptive. If you and your partner are sure it would be interpreted this way, then it would be a possible choice. I’ve shown 3 in the diagram—also preemptive. Almost always, the 1 opening is four or more (yes, I know it was the rare exception this time), so the jump-raise (weak after the double) is a good tactic.

South will bid hearts, but why the jump? Because 3 isn’t enough. 3 would be nonforcing. With a 6-card suit and AK-A, South has to make sure his side reaches game.

The Play

West could lead the diamond suit that was bid and raised, but I prefer to lead an AK suit. We lead ace from ace-king. How should East signal? Normally, with a doubleton we play high-low (so the jack). Here, East isn’t able to ruff, so probably should discourage in spades. Perhaps West will continue anyway. If he plays A, K and another, declarer will be surprised when it isn’t ruffed!

That might guide him to lead the 10 and let it run. That would still mean the loss of a heart trick, but the contract would make.

Even without defensive help, declarer should always make 4. Suppose he starts hearts by laying down a high honor (or leading to a high honor). East shows out, but that is not a problem. Declarer simply comes to hand and leads the H10. Whether or not West covers, declarer loses only one heart trick.

So, on any play and defense, declarer should lose only the 2 high spades and a heart trick to score +420.

Lesson Points

1)     With exactly 4=4=3=2 shape (in that order), open in the 3-card diamond suit (unless, of course, you are in range for 1NT or 2NT).

2)     Open most 12 counts (pass only with an ugly 4-3-3-3 shape with lots of queens and jacks).

3)     Be anxious to get into the auction with a takeout double on borderline hands that meet the requirements.

4)     Discuss with your partner what jump responses mean after the opponents have made a takeout double. They should be weak.

5)     When partner makes a takeout double and you have enough for game, make sure to reach game.

6)     With ace-king in a side suit, tend to lead it.