2NT, Kickback, Outside Q-ask

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I found this hand very interesting :

 

North ..................... South

K x ........................ A Q x x

K 9 x ..................... A Q x x

A x x x .................. x

A K Q x ................. J 9 x x

 

1C ............................ 1H

2NT ( 18,19 ) ............. 3S ( showing 4/4, game force )

3NT * ........................ 4C** ( must be 4 4 1 4 or 4 4 0 5 )

4D***(kickback for Cl) .. 4NT ( 2 - cQ )

5H**** ( hQ-ask) .......... 7C***** ( counting 3s, 3h, 1d, 4c, 2 Diam ruffs )

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

* Opener must be 3 3 ( 4 3 ) or ( 3 2 4 4 ) from the bidding thus far

** Natural ( not the dreaded G-bid ) Responder looking for 4-4 Cl fit

*** Agreeing Cl fit; would have bid 4NT w/NO Cl fit ( ie 3 3 4 3 )

**** 5H by-passed the 5D King-ask, confirming all Keys + trump Q

***** Since the K-ask was by-passed, Opener MUST have BOTH major kings.

[Cyberyeti]

We'd bid this:

 

1♦(4+)-1♥

1N (15-bad 19)-2♣(asking)

3♣(4-4 minors 17-bad 19)-4♦(KB)

4♥(0/3)-4♠(Q♣ ?)

5♥(yes and K♥ not K♦)-5♠(I have one of K or Q♠, bid the grand with the other)

7♣

[mike777]

We'd bid this:

 

1♦(4+)-1♥

1N (15-bad 19)-2♣(asking)

3♣(4-4 minors 17-bad 19)-4♦(KB)

4♥(0/3)-4♠(Q♣ ?)

5♥(yes and K♥ not K♦)-5♠(I have one of K or Q♠, bid the grand with the other)

7♣

 

 

bad 19?

 

feels a bit double dummy.

[awm]

There are many ways to the grand here. However, I'm not sure that north bidding keycard is really the best way. For example:

 

(1) How does north know about the club jack? Grand is only mediocre without it.

(2) The 5♥ bid is a little mysterious to me; what does north do if he lacks a king? Does this ask really guarantee all second round controls?

(3) What will north do if south denies the heart queen? You could still have a grand if south has the spade jack.

 

It just seems better for south, who has a much better picture of north's strength and is mostly looking for controls (rather than quacks), to initiate a cuebidding auction and/or do the asking.

[Cyberyeti]

bad 19?

 

feels a bit double dummy.

Non good 19, if I showed it as a good 19, I'd open 2N and the auction would go:

 

2N-3♣(4/5 card major ask)

3N(2♠, 2/3♥)-4♣(4 card suit)

4♥(keycard, 4♦ would show 5♦, 4N would show 3343)-5♣(2 without)

5♥(K, all keycards held)-5♠(I have ♠K or Q, bid the grand with the other)

7♣