What Would you Bid?

Alkmaar
February 21, 2001

On this day I was playing in a team match and on the very first board I was south and picked up the following hand:

S AJ742 S Q S Q64 S 8653

Although we were playing "Muiderberg" (i.e. 2S would show 5 spades and a 4 card or longer in a minor with a weak hand.), I decided to pass the first round, because I didn't liked my red queens for this opening bid.

After I passed, my left opponent opened 1S, my partner doubled and my right opponed bid 3S. What would you now bid with my hand?

I really liked my club holding and because all my values were working and we were playing for Imps, I decided to boldly bid 4 spades! It was a bit high though, because my partner tabled:

S 1093 S AJ72 S AJ74 S J

It seemed that I was not the only one at the table with biddingshoes on! But in the end I scored 4 spade tricks in my own hand, 2 spade tricks by ruffing clubs and 4 tricks in the red suits, because both kings were onside. At the other table they just made 3 spades so we gained 7 imps on the first board.