Timid or Wise?

This season, I am struggling to advance to the Ace level, currently fighting at King ♣. Last time, it took me three weeks, playing Acol only. This time, I seem to be stuck. Whatever it is, health issue or age, let's remain positive.

I find the hand above interesting. I scored a win, and would have against all other players too. The greed dictates for most players to try 4♥, which is indeed a good defense against 3♠, especially if you make it. The danger is that it drives E/W to their easy game in spades. 

These situations happen often. South should ask if he has enough defense tricks to stop the almost certainly bid 4♠, and he should not count too much on two heart tricks or a club ruff.

By the way, all other players returned the singleton ♣Q after cashing ♥A and ♥K, wasting the ♦A. I think, a diamond return is better here, because the declarer will finesse there anyway, and we can foresee the good trump distribution.

Here is another example of this problem.

That contract makes with overtricks. On my table, the bidding went as follows.


Raising the club suit was okay if it would not drive E/W into the good game. After the strong spade bid by East, you are no longer in a contest between part contracts. So, do not help them by bidding a suit where you cannot win the bidding anyway. 

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