With a broken heart suit and no spades, I would not bid 4 hearts. I would imagine that 4 hearts is more likely to fail than succeed, and partner may have a spade stack, dooming 4 spades. Ergo, 3 hearts.

Would you open it 4 hearts??

Hi Bruce,

Yes, I would.

1. The hearts are indeed a broken suit, but the interior spots, 10 and 9, offer some safety. Also the winning player not only does not assume the worst holdings from partner (although at times, like here, he will disappoint you), but he should optimistically expect from partner what it will take to make it.

2. As is the case here, yes partner has a spade stack, but unless he leads a club against 4 spades the hand becomes touch and go to make, probably down 1 and more if a club is led, but even without a trump from partner (granted, with more than his share of luck) 10 tricks were scored.

3. Bridge rules and supposition vary, according to probabilities and mood, but inviolates stay the same, e.g. the higher one preempts the more the opponents have to guess what to do and then any bid other than pass by them is at greater risk. When an opponent instead, opts to double, he then becomes subject to his partner’s guesswork.

All of the above exerts added pressure on your adversaries, making your partnership a difficult one to play against, one of the positive qualities we should all seek.

4. The alternative choice of 3 hearts is not, at least for me, to be considered. My second choice would be 1 heart with no third choice. One of the more difficult feelings to endure at the bridge table is to suspect afterwards that our partnership is pulling our punches. Winners seem to come out with guns blazing and no prisoner taking.

5. Any one hand is not nearly enough to define the type of partnership one has. However, the thing to do is for every would be pair to assess their individual bridge personalities. Many of histories best combinations were where one partner was materially more aggressive than the other. So be it, but each should get to know the habits of the other and both should then remain consistent.

6. Sometimes the best learning experiences begin and end with the discussion of non-technical matters such as this one. While beautifully declared hands and devastating opening leads are more exciting to discuss, player habits and the consistency which goes with, are more important.

Thanks for writing and good luck.

Thanks much!! Agree that 3 hearts is an awful choice and not one I would make at the table. Cannot imagine what I was thinking to suggest it.

I will try to be more aggressive and remain aware that, given the opportunity to err, the opps will sometimes take it.

I am happy to report that I discuss style, defense, and lead preferences before esoteric conventions with any new partner. The former come up every hand, the latter occasionally.

I don’t understand how 4 spades could ever make. Declarer must lose two clubs and the ace of hearts no matter what, and there is no way north cannot win at least one spade trick.

The play of HQ would lose as east would win and play a fourth diamond

Hi David,

Yes, 4 spades will always go down on this hand. I was trying to talk generally, without specifically analyzing what would happen during the play, but also to delve into and emphasize the mindset of the players during the defense.

No doubt declarer’s play is easier, less mistake prone, especially at high levels, and creates less anxiety, than does defense. This, in turn, tends to make winning players bid bolder, but trying, if possible and given a choice, to play safely.

Thanks, as always, for your thoroughness.

Hi Anthony,

Yes indeed, if declarer opts to play the queen of hearts first (for deceptive purposes) instead of the ace, he will be sorry.

Thanks for clarifying what would happen.