Can you bid this slam?

[mohitz]

[hv=d=s&v=b&n=skxxhjtdaqxxcaxxx&s=sqjxxhakqxxdkjxcx]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

In a system of your choice, can you construct a reasonable sequence to 6H?

[cherdanno]

Playing with Han, the bidding would start:

1H-2C (std opening; nat or bal, GF)

2H-2S (extra values no extreme shape; ask)

2N-3C (4 spades; ask)

3D-3H (5431 or 5440; ask)

3S-? (5431)

Now North has an interesting problem, but I don't think he is worth a slam force; he would probably invite a heart slam with 4C-4D-4H. South has good trumps but not many controls and a minimum in context, so he would pass. He would not fully appreciate the values of his two jacks.

 

[i don't think this is interesting to anyone but a good excuse for my to test my system-knowledge.]

[JLOL]

Pfft, like you play with Han anymore :rolleyes:

[Flameous]

This is a really hard slam to bid. First I went through all natural sort of systems with all gadgets I've ever played and one sequence was where it might be _possible_ to bid it.

However in strong club/pass this can be found, but even then it's more about luck and how the specific methods happen to work. Some results merchanting is definetly assumed here :rolleyes:

 

Here is the most succesful auction I could think of.

 

Pass! - 1C! (Art 14+, 4+ctrls, Art GF, 3+ ctrls)

1H! - 1S (Relay reversal, 4+H or S single suiter)

1NT! - 2C (4+S, two-suiter or H single suiter)

2D! - 2H (5+H, 4+S)

3D! - 3H (Specifically 4531)

3S! - 4C (4 controls)

4D! - 4H (AK in H)

4NT! - 5C (King of diamonds)

5S! - 6H (Both major queens found, let's roll to the six)

 

This auction requires a lot of little things to make it possible. First and the most important thing is that responder does the asking, because he can basicly due the reversal be sure of good trumps quality holding JT. Also very luckily the answers on relays can't take you too high here.

[gnasher]

Without any special methods, but with sight of both hands:

 

1♥-2♣

2♠-2NT

3♦-3♥

4♥-4♠

4NT-5♥

6♥

 

2♠ was natural and showed extras

2NT was descriptive. That is, it denied three-card heart support and showed a diamond stop.

3♦ is one of the few fourth-suit bids that I'd play as natural

 

Responder's decision to move over 4♥ looks a bit pushy, but he knows the hands fit well. Opener's failure to bid 3NT over 3♥ suggests good hearts and no club honour.

 

After 4♠, opener can appreciate the value of ♠J, because it's opposite the ace or king. He also knows his diamond holding is pulling its weight, because it's opposite a stopper.

 

If I had this auction in real life, I'd be quite pleased.

Edited April 10, 2009 by gnasher

[TimG]

Without any special methods, but with sight of both hands:

 

1♥-2♣

2♠-2NT

3♦-3♥

4♥-4♠

4NT-5♥

6♥

I was about to suggest the same auction. The only pushy/questionable call seems to be 4♠, but when opener has been able to complete his shape (with 3♦) and then fails to bid 3N over 3♥, it seems reasonable to me. Also like gnasher, I'd be pretty pleased to find this at the table.

 

Edit: I should also add that I'm more comfortable with opener's reverse in a limited opening bid system. In standard, reversing after responder has bid your singleton might be pushy, but that depends a bit on your post-2/1 reverse style/agreements.

[RichMor]

Mostly agree with gnasher's analysis although I would respond with 2♦ instead of 2♣.

 

The auction would develop on the same lines:

1♥ - 2♦

2♠ - 2NT

3♦ - 3♥

where 3♦ completes opener's pattern and 3♥ shows some support.

 

Responder now knows that the Club Ace is facing shortness and the Diamond suit is facing probable 3-card length. Opener now knows that the KJx in Diamonds is a useful holding facing a decent Diamond suit - something opener would not know if responder had initialy bid 2♣.

 

But who makes a slam try and how ?

 

If opener launches RKCB, before or after some cue bids, the 5♥ response could be the actual hand or:

♠)Axx ♥)JT ♦)AQxx ♣)Kxxx

where slam is not so hot.

 

If responder launches RKCB opener's reply could be the actual hand or:

♠AJxx ♥AQxxx ♦)KJx ♣x

where again slam is not good.

 

A straight cue bidding approach won't help either facing the alternate hand for responder.

 

If you get there, good for you mate. :rolleyes:

[gnasher]

But who makes a slam try and how ?

 

If opener launches RKCB, before or after some cue bids, the 5♥ response could be the actual hand or:

♠)Axx ♥)JT ♦)AQxx ♣)Kxxx

where slam is not so hot.

Responder clearly shouldn't make a slam try on this, knowing that he's opposite a 4531 shape.

 

If responder launches RKCB opener's reply could be the actual hand or:

♠AJxx ♥AQxxx ♦)KJx ♣x

where again slam is not good.

Slam is OK opposite that. However, that sort of consideration is the reason that responder's slam try, if he makes one, should be 4♠, which says something useful about his hand.

 

You seem to be conflating the terms "make a slam try" and "launch RKCB". They are different things: a slam try says "I'm interested in slam. What do you think?" RKCB says "I want to know how many aces you have."

[mtvesuvius]

N      S

         1♣ (Strong)

1NT - 2♣ (12-14 Bal. or 15+ Any; Relay Asking)

2♦ - 2♥ (12-14 Bal.; Relay)

3♠ - 4♣ (32=4=4; Relay)

4♦ - 4♥ (3=2=4=4; Relay)

5♦ - 5♥ (5 Controls; Relay)

6♣ - 6♥ (K♠ or All other Kings; Signoff)

Pass - *Cringe*

 

This requires insanely agressive bidding from South... I think I would only be in 3NT however.

[jdonn]

Just because I have nothing to add to the natural auction, TOSR with reverse relays seems to work extremely well.

 

1♣ - 1♠ - (16+, 8+ balanced or red suits)

2NT - 3♣ - (3 suited short clubs narrowed to a few particular shapes and can't have stiff honor, asking)

3♦ - 3♥ - (4531, asking)

3♠ - 4♣ - (5 or fewer controls, asking)

4♦ - 4♥ - (AK or neither in hearts, asking)

4♠ - 6♥ (AK or neither in spades, responder essentially knows opener's exact hand including jacks to make up 16 hcp)

[PrecisionL]

Playing ULTRA CLUB:

 

1♣ (16+) - 1♥ (4+♠ or balanced, G.F.)

1♠ (Relay) - 1NT (Balanced 8-13)

2♣ (Transfer Stayman) - 3♥ (Max and 3=2=4=4)

3NT (minimum) - 4♥ (5 controls + Q to make 12-13 hcp) Edited

(9 controls, slam possible with good fit and singleton if no wastage in clubs)

(a) 5♣ (CAB) - 5♠ (Ace, but not the K)

6♥ (Eureka! Assuming no ♥ loser and behind in the match) p p p

 

OR (b) pass 4♥ (assuming ahead in the match)

 

Whoops, revision needed!? Tough Hand!!!

[kenrexford]

No.

[Flameous]

lol, ken was the first one to give straight honest answer ;) But we all gave it a try!

[mtvesuvius]

lol, ken was the first one to give straight honest answer :D But we all gave it a try!

The reason is that he was listing his auction with explanations, but it reached the maximum number of lines allowed in one post. ;)

[mohitz]

thanks all.. gnasher's sequence looks okay in a standard setting.

[Mbodell]

1♣ - 1♠ (16+;8+bal or reds)

1NT - 2♥ (r;same rank 4432)

2♠ - 3♥ (r;3244)

3nt - 4♥ (to play; my hand was really good with 5 controls)

4♠ - 5♥ (where?; one of top 2 in every suit but hearts)

6♥ (may as well try it)

 

This might be the way I'd get here. I think South tries to sign off and North pushes them higher and South hopes it wasn't ♣K and ♠A and hopes there's luck in diamonds too (Q on side or with partner).

[gnasher]

1♣ - 1♠ (16+;8+bal or reds)

1NT - 2♥ (r;same rank 4432)

2♠ - 3♥ (r;3244)

3nt - 4♥ (to play; my hand was really good with 5 controls)

4♠ - 5♥ (where?; one of top 2 in every suit but hearts)

6♥ (may as well try it)

 

This might be the way I'd get here. I think South tries to sign off and North pushes them higher and South hopes it wasn't ♣K and ♠A and hopes there's luck in diamonds too (Q on side or with partner).

And hopes that partner has ♥J.

[whereagles]

I wouldn't reach 6♥. Most likely, would end up in 3NT.

[Fluffy]

I honestly think I would start with the 1♥-2♣-2♠-2NT-3♦ sequence.

 

What now? North should be very interested in slam, lets count: assuming a blank singleton club and 16 HCP on partner's hand, we have 26 HCP combined on the rest, if all we miss is an Ace we should have 12 easy tricks.

 

Worst of all is to have 2 queens missing, or ♦K+♠J. Others seem to provide 12 tricks.

 

Really driving to slam doesn't look wrong.