Getting knocked out of the Grand National Teams, qualified me to play in the 2009 Life Master Pairs in Washington D.C. (Note the sarcasm). With neither side vulnerable, I held these cards:

5 2
K Q 10 9 5 4
--
J 8 7 6 3My partner passed, and RHO, Hall-of-Famer Kerri Sanborn, opened 2. Should I enter or keep my mouth shut?

I entered. Wanting a heart lead against a potential 3NT contract, I ventured 3. This was met promptly with a penalty double passed back to me. Should I run? I stood pat, and played in 3X.

This was the full deal:

West	North	East	South
--	Pass	2	3
Double	Pass	Pass	Pass

Vul: None Dir: North	J 9 8 7 6 4 -- 6 5 3 K Q 4 2
-- A J 8 7 A K Q J 10 A 10 9 5		A K Q 10 3 6 3 2 9 8 7 4 2 --
	5 2 K Q 10 9 5 4 -- J 8 7 6 3

What a case of good news and bad news!

Bad was partner's hearts void.

Good was partner's club fit.

Bad was that I hadn't decided to run to 4.

Good was that partner had no defense against diamonds, so this might not be a bad result.

Bad was that I was down four, -800.

Good was that East-West can make at least 6 (worth 920).

Bad was that the field wasn't in 6. We got slightly below average, but it sure would have been fun to follow this board around the room and watch it at every table.

Note North's discipline in not opening a weak 2, Note East's undisciplined 2 opening. Note my aggressive 3 overcall. Note West's happy penalty double.

I don't have a clue as to what the moral is.