Playing in a 4-3 fit**

This page usually contains a piece of theory, in this case about 'playing in a 4-3 fit', including an example.
Three exercises will follow, one in each of the next three weeks (click 'Varia*' for Exercise 1 and 'Varia**' for Exercise 2 and 3).

During the bidding we try to discover a fit (preferably in a major): eight trumps in the combined hands, a 4-4 fit or a 5-3 fit. An even better (more trumps) fit is nice, a 4-3 fit will normally not do.
Yet sometimes we end up playing in a 4-3 trump fit. For instance when a guard in a suit is lacking - making 3NT not a viable option - while five in a minor seems too high. In such cases we occasionally choose to play in a 4-3 trump fit in a major.
Since there is no genuine superiority in trumps over the opponents, playing in a 4-3 trump fit requires a special kind of technique.

Tim Verbeek (2): Very disappointing (part 1)

Tim Verbeek, Bridgevaria.com's young guest author, gladdens us with an extensive report on his latest international bridge adventures. Recently he participated in the World Bridge Series Championship in Philadelphia. This is a combination of various World Championships for pairs and teams. The pairs championships are: Open (in this case meaning: men and women), women, seniors and mixed. The teams championships are the Open World Championships for teams (in this case 'open' stands for 'unrestricted participation', unlike the better known biennial World Championships for teams contesting the Bermuda Bowl/Venice Cup, where only qualified national teams, one per country, participate) and the open (unrestricted participation) World Championship Youth teams.
Verbeek has a lot to tell about these World Championships. We publish his report in three parts, this being the first one. Enjoy and don't miss any of it!

Who is allowed and who is not...**

S/All		♠	K 7 6 2
		♥	A 10 8 4
		♦	K 5 4
		♣	6 3
		♠	A Q J 10 8
		♥	K J 9
		♦	8 7
		♣	A 4 2

West leads the ♣5.
How should South play?

Negative double and its follow-up *

EW end up in a far too modest contract after North has overcalled.

♠	3			♠	Q 8 5 4
♥	A K 6 5			♥	Q J 10 4
♦	K J 7			♦	A 9 8
♣	A J 10 8 2			♣	9 5

¹ negative double, at least four hearts, at least 6 points

West effortlessly makes ten tricks.
'My 2♥ bid is in a new suit! How could you pass, holding nine points', West says (somewhat indignantly).
'I thought you showed a minimal hand', East says (somewhat timidly).

Who was wrong?

Not impressed**

West has been dealt:

...and has to find an opening lead after this auction:

¹ 12-14

Does the double have a special meaning? What is West's opening lead (therefore)?

1♠, 2♠, 3♠... or 4♠? *

The year is 1988. The second Statenbank World Top Tournament (in later years known as Cap Gemini) is played in The Hague, Netherlands; the venue is Hotel Des Indes. In the earlier editions of this fantastic (every single participant is still sad that it doesn't exist anymore) invitation tournament for world class players, the only Dutchmen taking part were Leufkens – Westra. This young pair held its own remarkably well against the world's top players.
What should Westra, North, open on this hand?

Clearly he is going to open spades. One, two, three or four?