[TMorris]

All vulnerable at IMPs (multiple teams match if it makes a diference) you have

x
Jxxx
A98xxxx
x

You are first in hand.

[whereagles]

a weak 2♦ yes. Maybe 3 if I feel lucky.

[Phil]

Good problem.

There's a lot of conflicting factors here.

In favor of preempting:

- 7-4 screams for preemption
- our side suit is hearts and not spades so if pard fits hearts we rate to get outbid anyway.
- our side suit isn't terribly strong.

Against:

- We have an ace in our suit which is a defensive value.
- our diamond interiors are terrible so if we hit a bad break the opponents will get a bonanza on defense.
- we have a ruffing value. Would it surprise anyone if we could take a mini crossruff in spades?

I think w/r I'd open this 4♦ but at equal I'll pass.

[gwnn]

3♦ now, 4♦ when white

I try not to pass with 7-4

[mtvesuvius]

I would pre-empt 3 here, 4 if NV... If we had spades I'd pass here, and bid 4D if NV...

[karlson]

Wow, I think you guys are all crazy. I would pass for sure (agree with all of Phil's "against" points).

Yes, we might get outbid anyway if we have hearts, but that's only true if the opponents hold the majority of the strength. Our hand is remarkably good for hearts when we're the ones making something.

[Siegmund]

Clear pass at equal for me: the 4-card heart suit is a minus, but the fact I am ~cough~ a full trick short of my bid at equal vulnerability is a bigger minus (and treating A98xxxx as five tricks may even be optimistic.)