4 over 4 is right

As the old saying goes the five level is for the opponents. Now why did someone feel the need to state this so explicitly? It could be due to a partner who had a bad case of Justonemoreitis but it could be a hint that the four level belongs to us.

♠	A 7 6 5 2
♥	9 6
♦	Q 6 5 2
♣	A 9

What a hand! What a suit. RHO opens 2♥ weak and you're bidding 2♠ are you? I'm not. Say you pass and 4♥, pass, pass comes back to you. How about now?

I struggle with this at the table but 4♠ is right. Simple counting tells us that when they have a big fit so do we. In a 2♥ - 4♥ auction they are likely to have a big fit and even if they have just 8 hearts we're still about 7 to 1 to have a fit ourselves.

	♠ Q T ♥ A J T 2 ♦ K T 9 4 ♣ Q J T
♠ A 7 6 5 2 ♥ 9 6 ♦ Q 6 5 2 ♣ A 9		♠ K J 3 ♥ 4 ♦ A J 7 ♣ K 8 7 5 4 2
	♠ 9 8 4 ♥ K Q 8 7 5 3 ♦ 8 3 ♣ 6 3

It's right because compared to the 5 level you're a trick ahead. If the hand is theirs they have to take a full 7 tricks at even vulnerability to make a serious dent in your imps. That makes it attractive before you count your chances to make 4♠ or to push them to a failing 5♥ contract.

A long time ago I was introduced to what was called the "Tuffnell Rule" from then local but now expat expert Graeme. The Tuffnell Rule states that whenever your opponents open 4♥ and you hold five spades you should bid 4♠. Doesn't always work but it's almost always right.