5. A pre-empt too far

South Deals
NS Vul

♠

K 5

♥

Q 8 4 3 2

♦

A Q J 10 5

♣

2

♠

J 3

♥

J 10 5

♦

3

♣

A K 9 8 7 6 5 

♠

A 8 7 2

♥

A K 9 7

♦

K

♣

Q J 10 3

 

♠

Q 10 9 6 4

♥

6

♦

9 8 7 6 4 2

♣

4


This was a spectacular example of aggression back-firing. The usual results at a recent Swiss Pairs event were either 5♣ by EW or 5♦ by NS doubled but only down one. Only one EW reached 6♣, when an adventurous South decided to open with a Weak 2♦! West bid 3♣ and North jumped straight to 5♦, leaving East little option but to bid 6♣.