Do you think that you are the only one who ever goes wrong faced with tough bidding problems? I don't think so!
Last week's hand came from a quarterfinal match in the Vanderbilt during the most recent Pittsburgh Nationals. At one table, the player holding: A9832, AJ4, K9, AK10 saw this auction: 1H - P - 2S (weak). He was vul and the opponents were not; Jim Krekorian made the "practical" bid of 3NT, ending the auction. Partner's hand was: none, Q1086, J72, Q97543. He had eight tricks on top in 3NT, and had no difficulty making his contract.
At the other table, Paul Soloway held these cards, and saw the auction posed to you in our poll: P - P 2S. Soloway elected to make a takeout double, and the auction continued: 3S - 4H, all pass.
Partner Bob Hamman's call was not unreasonable. He held: none, Q1086, J72, Q97653, and 4H was not an outrageous contract. Nevertheless, when the hand on Bob's right was: QJ, K9532, A1085, J4, 4H was not makeable. Yes, even the greatest of the great do not get the best possible result on every hand!
If you voted for 3NT; a gold star! If you voted for 2NT - you might get your mitts on that star. Double? I don't like your chances!
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