Sacrifice at Favorable Vulnerability?

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You are not vulnerable versus vulnerable opponents. How would you bid this hand?

Sacrifice or not

Partner passed and RHO opened one spade. Now is a good time to preempt with three hearts.

LHO then bid four spades, passed back to you. What now? Is it worth trying to boost the opponents to five spades? If they can make four spades you will be minus 620. If you can hold a doubled five hearts contract to down 3, you will be minus only 500.

South did indeed bid five hearts when I observed the hand. She went down two doubled for minus 300. But it was a phantom sacrifice. NS could not make four spades.

South should be warned away from competing further. Those ugly doubletons are not features. The initial preempt already did its job, making the auction difficult for EW.

Thanks to Kathie Dunn for suggesting this post.

 

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