Is this a Practical Joke?

By: Larry Cohen

Is this a Practical Joke?

Would you think this is a practical joke? Neither side vulnerable, you hold:

AK7542
♥ AK
♦ A10
♣ AKQ.

If that isn't enough of a great hand, watch what happens.

LHO passes and your partner puts out the STOP card and bids...2! Yes. SPADES.

That is exactly what happened in the 2017 Team Trials. This was the full deal:

Vul: None
Dlr: West
 Q109863
 J4
 K32
 98
 
 --
 109
 J98754
 105432
  J
 Q876532
 Q6
 J76
  AK7542
 AK
 A10
 AKQ
 

At most tables, over North's 2 South raised directly to 7. Some started with 2NT and scientifically reached 7NT. At a few tables, North didn't preempt, but East did.

Over East's 3, South doubled. West raised to 4 and North volunteered 4. Now, South jumped directly to 7.

What a once-in-a-lifetime situation for South to have that hand and see those auctions!