TWO4BRIDGE

I think I can make it on anything OTHER than a ♦ lead: w/ ♣ finesse and ♥ finesse.

What is the lead ? ( I assume ♦ K ) .

OP has asked: " In this situation...is a single D a 2nd round control bid? (Partner has shown all keycards) " . The FIRST K-ask requires the cheapest bid K reply ( NOT a singleton ) . The SECOND K - ask CAN show a singleton since the reply structure can show this: For example ( ♠ are trump ): 4NT ( RKC ) - 5H ( 2 - ♠Q ) 5NT ( K-ask ) - 6C ( ♣ K ) 6D ( 2nd K - ask ) - ?? ........................ 6S = NO ♦ K or singleton ........................ 7S = ♦ - singleton ........................6NT = ♦ K but no ♦ Q ........................ 7D = ♦ K Q - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For OP's given hand, if you used 5NT as the FIRST K-ask, the reply would have been 6D = ♦ K, denying the ♣ K .... and 7NT could have been bid with confidence . In my RKC stucture, which is more standard, 6C ( over the 5H reply, by-passing the K-ask bid ) would have been a 3rd-Rnd-Ctrl-ask in ♣.

With the 1D - 2C! auction, the first priority is to investigate a 4-4 major fit: North 1D - 2C! ( 2/1 GF; does not deny a 4 card Major ) 2S ( 4 cards ♠ ) - 2NT ( no 4 card Major, but have Ht stop ) 3D ( extra length ) - ?? Since North has shown only 3 cards in ♣ & ♥, South may well go past 3NT with 4D ; Now 4H! by North would be kickback ( when agreement is first made at the 4-level ). -- OR -- if using Zelandakh's method ( bottom of post # 8 ) , 4H! would be Negative [ EDIT: Decline slam try ] but the next 4 steps would be Positive [ EDIT: Accept slam try ] and "show" key cards. In either case, since ALL key cards are found along with the ♦ Q , 6D would be reached when there is only ONE outside K . With Zel's method, after a ♦Q-ask, North would show it w/o any outside K .

A 2/1 GF auction: East West 1S 2H ( 2/1 GF ) 3H 3S ( cue; NOT a double-fit; says nothing about "Seriousness" ) 5H ( asks for 6H w/2 of top 3 )

A number of slam tries have been attributed to Culbertson's wife, Josephine. Over 4S! cuebid : - - 5NT = Josephine Grand Slam Force : asking for 7H w/2 of top 3 whereas: - - 5H! = Josephine 5-of-Trump : asking for 6H w/2 of top 3 ......and the Josephine 5NT REPLY to the 5H!-ask = A K Q ( at least with this one you would reach the grand ). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EDIT: Some might think 5H is a sign-off here since you are forced above game, but with a bare minimum opener, I think you if you really wanted to sign-off, you would first bid 4NT ( RKC ) over 4S .

@ mikeh Declarer has shown 4 cards ♥ ( Stayman reply ). And has denied 4 cards ♠ ( since no "correction' to 4S ) . I missed the "Muppet" reply. Still, I'm leading the ♠ 10 .

I'm not sure he has a "complete method" . All I know is that he first suggested the 2S!-jump as an artificial force ( only ) over a 1H response .... and I liked it ... and "ran with it " ... He subsequently has disavowed any credit for it's origin. The 2S!-jump definitely is a "cheaper" bid than a 3C-jump or 2NT-jump and neither of those are game-forcing . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here is a similar post from February of this year : http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/51249-would-your-auction-be-the-same-as-ours/

One of the important bids on this hand to facilitate bidding the grand is the 4D! self-splinter ( my post #4 )- - Responder will know Opener does not have the ♦ K in the hcp count. Responder can jump to 7NT after finding out that Opener has all 4 aces, the trump Q , and NO outside Kings.... That only adds up to 18 hcp. Surely, Opener has at least ONE black Q ( if not both ) for his opening 2C. [ Responder has all of the Jacks .... so no hcp there for Opener ] . Thus, no need for an outside Q-ask, and since he has K J x x in BOTH blacks : 6h + dA + A K Q J in one black + A K in the other black suit = 13

2C - 2D 2H - 2NT 4D! ( self-splinter w/6+ cd Ht suit ) - 4S! ( kickback-RKC for Hts ) ?? .. 4NT = 0/3 .. 5C = 1/4 after : 5C - 5D ( ♥Q-ask ) 5NT ( ♥Q but NO outside K ) - 6C ( must be a ♣Q-ask ) 6NT ( ♣Q ) - 7NT ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ EDIT: The 5NT reply is technically incorrect on this hand. 5NT would show the ♥ Q AND the ♦ K ( NT shows the K-feature of the "asking suit" ). But, because of the ♦-splinter, Opener can't have the ♦ K . The correct reply for ♥Q and NO outside Kings is 6♥. But Responder can now bid 7NT according to the logic in my post # 8 .

GGG strikes again ... :)

masse24..... We are ready for North's hand . ( Or at least I am ) .

Strong .... because you "don't preempt over a preempt " .

You forgot GGG ( Gnasher's Gameforce Gadget ) The 2S-jump rebid over a 1H response ( my replies ): 1C - 1H 2S! - 2NT! ( asks for clarification ) ?? .. 3C = long ♣; ♠ bid was artificial .. 3D! = ( other minor ) 4 cards ♠ .. 3H = 3 cards ♥, 5+ ♣, ♠ bid was artificial

My apologies; I remember your post now, from yesterday [ EDIT: actually from 2 days ago ] ; but, hey, it's tuff to remember that far back.

Good point... I wasn't sure what the DBL normally is used for and the other posters didn't say either. [ But, admittedly, I did "borrow" the " stole-my-bid DBL " from 32519 ] . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - EDIT: ( addition ) How about 4/5 and 5/4 major hands would be included in 4C! = both Majors: Responder - Opener 4C! - 4D! = same length Majors ( 4 - 4 or 3-3 ) pick one [However, if Opener is 2-3 or 3-2, you will be playing in either a 4-3 or 5-2 fit ] . whereas: DBL! = 3H! ( completing transfer ) 3S! ( showing 4-4 )

I don't see how 3D is forcing either, but since you say it is, then you don't have a problem with this hand. Better to use 2H! as "cheapest bid new suit forcing " over a minor rebid, a la Bourke Relay as per Cyberyeti [ post # 14 ] or Erick [ post # 8 ] .

Just for fun ( if you can give up the penalty DBL ): 1NT - ( 3D ) - ?? ............... DBL = ( stole my bid ) transfer to ♥ ............... 3H! = transfer to ♠ ............... 3S! = transfer to ♣ ............... 3NT = to play ............... 4C! = the Majors ............... 4D! = ♣ and ♥ ............... 4H! = ♣ and ♠ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Note: Opener is Declarer in all cases

What was wrong with my post # 2 : 5NT = GSF, bid 7♣ with 2 of top 3.... otherwise 6C. ( I know, I know.... 13 tricks may well be available if partner is only missing the K ) .

You might use [ 1NT - ( 3D ) - ?? ] : 4C! = ♣ and a Major ( then 4D! asks Major )

A K K x void K J 10 x x x x x x

agree... And 1NT - ( 3D ) - 4D! is used for Stayman Also, 1NT - ( 3D ) - 4H = natural; NOT Texas

What would 5NT ( instead of 6C ) mean ? ( Still GSF ? ).

What is getting tiresome are the criticisms about the posters posting in the "wrong" forum . "They" say the problem is either too advanced for the N/B or not advanced enough for the Expert Forum. Geez.... just provide an answer to the poster's question(s), as he has posted in earnest.

If the ♥ split 3-3, I can count 10 tricks: ( don't lead trumps )... 4 ♦-ruffs, ♠A K, ♥A K Q, ♣A If an opp ruffs the 3rd ♥, I'll have to fall back on the ♣ finesse. Ruff 1st ♦ ♥ to K... ruff 2nd ♦ ♥ A Q .......( a ) if no ruff, then ♣ to A and ruff 3rd ♦ ♠ to A and ruff 4th ♦ ♠K is 10th trick ......( b ) if 3rd ♥ is ruffed and ♠returned ( to A ), then ruff 3rd ♦. Now have to ♣ to Q ( wins ), take ♣A and ruff 4th ♦ ♠K is 10th trick. ......( c ) if 3rd ♦ is ruffed by East w/♠Q, then hopefully East can't return another trump and he has to lead a ♣ into your A Q or the 4th ♥ which you can ruff on board and ruff the 4th ♦.