When one of the players had to leave I was pressed into service for the last match. We did not know it but the match was even when the penultimate board arrived - a bidding test for the North-South pairs:
The same hand was played at all four tables and the first three bids were the same. I expect all the other North players considered three spades rather than three hearts, but like me rejected it as the hand was not really strong enough to force to game and, with the opponents silent, it sounds like partner has the suit.
Three of the South players continued with three spades. John Murdoch, playing with Iain Sime, bid four clubs and this hit the jackpot as Iain now just keycarded into the slam. Perhaps it showed shortage but it makes Iain's hand huge whether it shows a singleton or the king.
I considered cue bidding four clubs totally automatic and I was slightly surprised that my opponent signed off in four hearts immediately. Although partner probably has wasted spade values, I do have good controls and the three spades bid is showing slam interest.
More debatable is the decision to move over Cliff's four hearts bid. In the end I decided that the spade shortage and double diamond stop, the likely lead, was more valuable than the potential spade wastage and poor trumps. There was also the safety net that I had limited the hand with three hearts, so partner should have a fair idea of my hand. The fourth North decided not to proceed in the same position - a reasonable view but a losing one on this occasion.
The evening was won by the Scottish Seniors team, with everyone else in a bunch.
