70 West

Allow me to make a suggestion. North and South can bid the slam as follows. 1. North (one spade), South (three hearts). 2. North (three spades), South (four spades). 3. North (six spades), South (pass). In modern point count bidding, many players would consider the South hand too weak for a strong jump shift response. In the 1930s and 1940s, Culbertson recommended making a jump shift response with strong trump support and 3 1/2 honor tricks. South has three quick honor tricks: the king and queen of spades and the ace and king of hearts. He also has two plus values: the jack of spades and the singleton diamond. The two plus values added together are 1/2 honor tricks. After South responds three hearts, North would bid three spades. In Culbertson's methods, after a jump shift by South, a jump rebid of four spades by North would show a solid or semi-solid suit. South would then bid four spades and set the trump suit. Now North would know that there were at least seven honor tricks in the partnership hands, because he has 3 1/2 honor tricks in his own hand. In Culbertson's methods, if North and South have seven or more honor tricks, a strong trump suit and good distribution, then they can bid a slam. Culbertson became a rich man by writing bridge books for the masses. The bidding is papa and mama style, but it can be very effective.