This Real Deal comes from Drew McDougall of Toronto. 

Vul:West Dlr: None	AQJ854  K5  2  AQ84
K10  AJ10643  85  J76		--  Q982  AQJ943  1095
	97632  7  K1076  K32

West	North	East	South
2	Dbl	4	4
Pass	4NT	Pass	5
Pass	5	All Pass

West has a fairly normal weak two-bid at any vulnerability. The suit is decent, and the hand is in range (approximately 6-11).

North is too strong to simply overcall 2. One possibility is a jump overcall of 3. That would show a good six-card suit and a good (invitational to game) hand. I think this North hand is too strong for that. Opposite almost “nothing” (picture just the K), game is great. North could simply overcall 4, but I prefer to start with a double (as shown).

When East saw partner make a “skip bid” it was surely going to be a preempt in spades. Opposite a spade preempt, East would pass and hope for the best. Opposite a heart preempt it is a different world. East wants to further the preempt – and in a grand way. The 4 bid shown is the least East could do. Some partnerships would use 4 here (after the double) as a “fit-showing” bid – to show heart support and diamonds on the side.

South has only two kings, but does have a singleton in the opponents' suit and 5 cards in the desirable (on this auction) spade suit. There is an old adage: “When in doubt, bid 4 over 4.” That has two ways to win; if either contract is making 10 tricks, then 4 is winning action (unless it is doubled and down more than the value of the opponent’s game contract).

West passes (once you preempt, you don’t bid again). North has a tough decision. If he did pass, I would actually bid again as East (5) and probably push the opponents to the same 5 contract shown in the diagram (Note: 5X could go down 500, but might go down only 300 if the A is led). Anyway, North’s 4NT trying for slam is reasonable. South’s answer (showing 0 or 3 keycards) is disappointing news. If zero, North had better put on the brakes as shown. If 3, South would bid again after the 5 signoff.

The Play:

Leading aces against suit contracts is generally a no-no, but on this auction, West should indeed lead the A. Partner raised the suit and nothing else is more attractive. Also, when the contract is higher than game, laying down an ace is common enough.

No matter what West plays at trick 2, declarer has to lose the A. The contract depends on the K. Should South finesse? With 11 cards missing the king, the odds slightly favor playing for the drop. However, if the bidding gives a clue otherwise, declarer could finesse. On this auction? I see no good reason (other than we can see all 52 cards) to guess correctly. Declarer will likely play the A and go down 1 in 5 spades, surely disappointing to North.

Lesson points

1) A jump overcall of a preempt shows a good 6+ card suit and a good hand.

2) When partner preempts and you have good support, further the preempt.

3) Some partnerships play that after a preempt is doubled that a jump in a new suit is a “fit-showing” bid.

4) When in doubt, bid 4 over 4.

5) If a Blackwood answerer shows 0 or 3 keycards and partner signs off, the player with 3 keycards (unless he has already promised a good hand) should bid again.

6) With 11 cards missing the king, the odds slightly favor playing for the drop.