The radio programme Just a Minute is a panel game which has been running for nearly 60 years, and was hosted by Nicolas Parsons for most of that time. The object of the game is for panelists to talk for sixty seconds on a given subject, "without hesitation, repetition or deviation". Our table would have breached the rules of that game more than once in a hand this week:
As dealer I had a choice between a conservative 3S and an aggressive 4S. My fellow Welsh International Richard Plackett would have chosen the latter, and he may be right, as he has just won the British Isles Trophy to add to his seasonal collection over the last year.
North might have raised to 4S but decided to pass and East had an awkward bid. There was a bit of a hesitation and after a while he decided to bid 3H, which was a deviation, from the rules of the game, in that spades rank above hearts.
The director was called and advised South of his rights. If he did not accept the bid of 3H, then East would have to make it sufficient, and if the sufficient bid was not a comparable call, his partner would be silenced. East was not allowed to substitute double.
I decided that repetition was the best choice for South, and accepted the 3H bid, and rebid 3S. We had no agreement, of course, but I thought that this would show a good pre-empt and short hearts. North elected to pass again and East now decided to double for takeout. He has already shown his hearts, as the 3H bid is now treated as legal, so he does not need to bid them again. West bid 4C, and all passed. I think North might have ventured Four Spades at one of his three turns to call, but he was quite happy with the repetition of his Pass.
So the full auction was 3S-Pass-Pass-3H-3S-Pass-Pass-Double-Pass-4C-All Pass
We defended it well, North cashing the ace of spades on which South played the three, suit-preference for diamonds. If South had a heart void, then he would should play the ten of spades, suit preference for hearts. Normally the king is just used to show the queen in this position but some would play that it is suit preference - the highest card South can afford. North switched to the queen of diamonds and the defence took three tricks in that suit, but this was below average for NS who can make 11 tricks in spades, and they should have at least got to game!
In the US, you are not allowed agreements subsequent to the opponents' insufficient bids, but in the UK you are. So I suggest:
After 3S-(Pass)-Pass-(3H) I suggest you play:
a) Pass - happy to defend 4H. No desire to go to 4S but happy for partner to go back to 3S
b) Double - takeout with extra shape. Possibly 7-1-(4 1)
c) 3S - good pre-empt, short hearts, happy for partner to raise.
d) 3NT - solid spades and nothing outside. Maybe AKQJxxx xx xx xx
e) Not accepting the insufficient bid which is corrected to 4H. Now
e1) Pass - does not want partner to bid 4S.
e2) Double - action. Partner passes or bids 4S
e3) 4S - walking the dog. What you should have opened all along. Best to have a short hesitation before the bid, with a feigned expression of discomfort.
Of course only Charlie the Chimp (a Doctor of Deviation) knows how to get the best from this situation.
