If they bid 3 minor – 3NT against you, you must strain to bid

Experience has taught me the opponents will often bring home 3NT when the auction goes 3C-3NT or 3D-3NT (all bids by them)

I therefore strain to remove them from this contract – either to a lesser scoring minor suit contract of theirs, or a landing place of our own.

Last week playing pairs with Dave Colbert, I held K972 Q9432 5 AJ7, sitting North.

I passed in first chair. We were white versus red.

LHO opened 3D. Dave passed, and RHO said 3NT after long thought.

Nonetheless I bid a prompt double (Takeout of course)

Dave bid 4C, and RHO doubled that – also after long thought. All passed.

Dave had A106 K107 73 108432 – our hands together were as follows :

North
♠	K972
♥	Q9432
♦	5
♣	AJ7
South
♠	A106
♥	K107
♦	73
♣	108432

They look like two random hands don’t they, but going down or making we were getting a very good score as they were stiff for 3NT. (8 diamond tricks)

Dave made 4 clubs doubled  anyway for a cold top. (bonus result-once we removed them from 3NT we were getting a very good board)

I would make the same bid at IMPS.