He Was to Be Disappointed

Dealer: West
Vuln: N-S
Scoring: IMPs

  1. spadeA 10 9 6 4 3 2
  2. heartQ 6 4 3 2
  3. diamond3
  4. club
Green square in centre
West North East South
4spade Pass Pass 5club
Pass Pass 5diamond Pass
???
Conventional wisdom says that we should never pre-empt in a major suit when holding four cards in the other major, let alone five. Nevertheless, when this hand occurred in an American trials match three out of the four Wests duly opened 4spade.

At two of the tables the bidding continued like this. How would you interpret East's 5diamond?
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