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I was her partner and dealer and opened a gambling 3NT. As I wrote in a previous column, there is no need to have an opening bid of 3NT show 25-27 balanced ever since we gave up Strong 2 bids – one shows that hand by opening 2C and rebidding 3NT, or using Kokish Relay by more advanced players. This frees up an opening 3NT to show a solid 7 card minor with no outside ace or king.
There are several advantages to this bid – for starters, it forces opponents to begin their auction at the four level. Additionally, many opponents have never discussed a defense to this particular preempt, although I recommend Woolsey. Finally, it has the advantage that when partner preempts 3 of a minor, we know she does not have a solid suit.
Responses are straightforward. A bid of 4C, 5C, or 6C is pass/correct. Responder may pass with 3 suits stopped and at least one card in opener’s suit, but this happens rarely. Advanced players may play a response of 4D as asking for shortness. I would guess 90% of the time responder will just bid 4C and opener will pass or correct to 4D.
So back to Lisa’s decision. She can count 11 tricks in no trump – one spade, two hearts, a club and seven diamonds. Remember I have denied an outside ace or king. But might I have a queen? The heart queen would give us 12 top tricks in no trump. Either black queen could give 6D a chance, but not 6N as the opponents could knock out the other black ace on opening lead. Additionally I could hold a doubleton spade and she could establish her long spades if they break 3-3. So 6D seems the better gamble.
Lisa’s final decision was who should declare the contract. She could bid 6C and I would correct to 6D. At the table, she chose to bid 6D herself. This was wise as it put the known hand down as dummy and concealed the unknown hand.
Here is the complete deal:
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