Hand Question 28
Teams of four event
This hand came up in a Teams of four event. I was South and my partner opened 1 Heart, playing 5 card majors. I was ready to make a splinter bid when East pre-empted with with 3 spades. I thought slam might be on with a void in spades and a known 9 card or better trump fit . We don't play Exclusion Keycard Blackwood so I plumped for 4NT (RKCB) as I have a control in each suit. West then bid 5S!. My partner doubled and it was passed round to me. My first query is whether partner's double is DOPI or penalties. I suspected the latter so I now had to decide whether to leave the double in or bid 6H. If 6H makes, (980) we have to get 5S doubled 4 off to get 800 which is still a loss or ideally 5 or more off. I decided to pass. I led AD followed by KD ruffed by declarer. I believe that declarer then ruffed a heart and then a second diamond and then ruffed another heart with AS. He then played a club which I won with the King and played another top diamond. I can't remember the rest of the play.
Bernard's Answer
On a hand like this - with the opponents being bold enough to bid so aggressively in spades - I would plump for the slam - in fact I might even invite a Grand slam - I would be disappointed that so many of partner's points are in spades - more likely is him having the HQ or CQ, but with careful play there are 12 tricks in hearts.