The next time your partner pre-empts and you hold a strong hand, consider playing the contract in partner’s suit. Otherwise, you may be on your own.

In the August 8 game at the Bridge Club of Martha’s Vineyard, Board 28 provided a good case study. North was dealing, with East-West vulnerable:

NORTH
♠ 10 4 2
♥ A K 9 8 6 3
♦ 8 5 2
♣ 3

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

SOUTH
♠ A K 9 8 3
♥ Q
♦ A K J 9 6
♣ K 10

The bidding proceeded as follows:

North                East                South                West
2♥                   Pass                3NT                  All Pass
Opening lead: 3 ♦

North-South went down one, with the North hand worth just two tricks. In any case, bidding 3NT with a king-doubleton in clubs is too risky. Even if the contract makes, it won’t be for a competitive score. So what should South have done?

Bid 4♥. Yes, South holds just one heart, but it’s an honor to go with at least two likely honors in the North hand, enough support that bridge writer and champion Marty Bergen recommends going for game. North-South can’t bid a slam, but as the cards lie, North will make six. The point is, all six of North’s hearts are useful.

You may wonder why South didn’t respond 2♠ instead of 3NT. Good question. North would have raised to 3 ♠ and South would bid 4 ♠ , making five. Some players, however, would treat 2 ♠ as a drop-dead bid showing at least six spades, a weak hand and no interest in hearts.

As you can see, either suit contract is superior to 3NT. North-South can even make 5♦!