Heedless Profligacy


K
A 8 2
K 10 8
K Q 8 6 5 3
Q 10 7 6 5 4 3 A 9 8 2
9 K J 10 6 5
7 3 2 J
A 2 J 7 4
J
Q 7 4 3
A Q 9 6 5 4 Vulnerability: N-S
10 9 Opening lead: 6 of spades

East South West North
Pass Pass 3 Dbl
Pass 4 Pass Pass
Dbl All pass

This hand illustrates both the dangers of bidding to sac with unfavorable vulnerability . . . and then the dangers of simply bidding with meager values. Those guys don't even slam, missing two aces, and so it only takes a down 2 (doubled, of course) to exceed their highest possible score. On top of which North's hand isn't really suited to a takeout double. Three cards in the unbid major, alongside a pretty powerful 6-card minor? It just can't be right. Sometimes you've just gotta let those other guys have the bid, do your best and perhaps, if you like, hope for either an underbid, an overbid or an ineffectual declarer. But you can't fine-tune every hand to a more attractive position, especially when you have rather mediocre values.

How would four clubs have fared? Well, for starters, it certainly would've been a better denomination to be in, nor should that be terribly surprising with 6 clubs and 3 hearts on a takeout double. Anyway, if we give declarer every break we can, it looks as though he might squeak by with plus 4 if the opponents let you play it there.
Diamonds look to be N-S's best denomination, though even there. . . Well, given that 5-1 heart suit