Rescue partner?

[Antrax]

It was matchpoints. The full story is that partner had something like ♠KQxx ♥AKx ♦Kxx ♣AJx or something similar (he didn't really have a 20-count, but I don't remember which lower honor was missing), where you have to lose the lead twice. 3NT went AP, and the ♥Q was led, low, low, K. Now he played a spade, RHO (the overcaller) winning her ace and returning a low heart, sending my partner into the tank. After a 20-second eternity, his RHO piped up "just play the ace", which sent him into deeper thought... eventually causing him to play the A. Then when he played a diamond LHO hopped the ace, returned her last heart, down a couple. Then he got really upset with RHO for misleading him about the correct line of play (yes, really), probably giving the director (which he called) a story for later.

After we were done for the night, I tried offering the view point that ducking the heart must be right regardless of what the opponents say, simply based on the assumption RHO hadn't overcalled a four-card heart suit vulnerable at the 2-level. It was then the preempt was called into question, so I figured I'll make sure it was just the disappointment talking.

[GHS_K_Chow]

Since when could 3N not be a valid sacrifice? Partner could well have a weak hand and either diamonds, clubs, or diamonds and clubs. 3N could very well be a sacrifice, especially favorable. Partner holding minors could possibly be waiting to play in 3N as a sacrifice or running to 5m if they double to make them figure out the contract at a higher level.

 

You've made your call with a weak 2.

[cherdano]

If you misplay a hand, always remember to check whether you can find blame in partner's bidding!

[billw55]

Since when could 3N not be a valid sacrifice? Partner could well have a weak hand and either diamonds, clubs, or diamonds and clubs. 3N could very well be a sacrifice, especially favorable. Partner holding minors could possibly be waiting to play in 3N as a sacrifice or running to 5m if they double to make them figure out the contract at a higher level.

3NT can also be a bluff, an attempt to get out undoubled. Not uncommon at these colors.

[Zelandakh]

I think I would be upset about RHO too. Is this not the bridge equivalent of telling an opponent you have cowboys when on a bluff? Did the TD really think this was ok? I would expect you to keep your score (used at own risk) and the opps to get their score adjusted to 3NT making, perhaps with a PP thrown in for good measure.

[Antrax]

I agree that telling your partner "I don't have the ace" when defending a hand is not okay. Unfortunately my own partner was actually upset that the defender misled him about the right way to make his contract, which is absurd IMO.

I've never seen a weighted score, a split score or a PP in action.

[ahydra]

Why did it not go

 

RHO: "Just play the ace"

Partner: "DIRECTOR!"

 

Saying that kind of thing isn't really acceptable, even in a club game IMO.

 

As for the actual OP question, as many others have said, pulling the 3NT is A Very Bad Idea . Your partner misplayed the hand. I agree the pre-empt is a little pushy first in but you are white on red.

 

ahydra

[Zelandakh]

Unfortunately my own partner was actually upset that the defender misled him about the right way to make his contract, which is absurd IMO.

Why is it absurd? As I wrote, I would be upset too. If a defender says something as an attempt to mislead declarer then they have broken 73D2 and should expect to be ruled against. I think that if you post this in the Laws section you will find that your opponents were skating on very thin ice. It is absolutely wrong that such "Club Director" decisions continue to be made, spoiling the enjoyment of a game for bridge players such as your partner. As far as I can see, this is very much the norm in club bridge and sometimes it makes me wonder why I keep playing the game.

[Antrax]

This is very surprising. Why would anyone expect the opponents to help him out when their goal is contrary to his?

[gwnn]

One reason would be to save time. Say you have AQ after KJ (towards the end of the board, when partner's plays do not matter anymore, etc) and declarer goes into a long think about which one he should play. You can tell declarer 'I have them both,' for example. Anyway the point is that these mind games and theatrics are not supposed to be part of bridge. Note that the laws also say that you draw conclusions at your own risk, so for example if an opponent pauses because some cards are stuck in his hand and you play them for the queen because you thought they were thinking, it is your loss. How do directors know which is which? Good question (good luck them). But in this case 'play the ace' does look like an attempt to mislead declarer...

[Zelandakh]

This is very surprising. Why would anyone expect the opponents to help him out when their goal is contrary to his?

For the same reason that we do not expect opponents to pause with a singleton, or ask leading questions while staring at us looking for tells. If you want this kind of interaction then play poker instead.