Sleeping Dogs

[rod]

Here's another deal from the recent Nambucca Swiss Pairs Congress.

Match 1, Board 13, all vulnerable, North deals.

♠ Q432
♥ 72
♦ A42
♣ Q874

♠ K85
♥ Q1043
♦ 1098
♣ 1092

♠ AJ76
♥ AK9865
♦ J
♣ 63

♠ 109
♥ J
♦ KQ7653
♣ AKJ5

The auction proceeds:

North   East    South   West
Pass    1♥      2♦      2♥
3♦      3♥      ?

What would you do as South?

You have a pretty good hand for diamonds and as the cards lie can make 4♦. But also as the cards lie East can make 4♥.

However South is not looking at all the cards. You should reason as follows:

1. Because 3♦ is just one step below 3♥, the opposing auction is ambiguous. They did not have a way to distinguish between competing for the partscore and inviting game -- unless they play maximal doubles, which they don't.

2. While 4♦ seems likely to make, you will not be happy to then hear 4♥. It's wiser to pass and hope the interference was successful. Another option is to bid 5♦ immediately like you think it will make and hope for no double.

Sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie. Competing to 4 of a minor is rarely a good idea.