Cue bid or not?

[Jyrki_63]

The bidding goes

 

Me GIB

1D 1S

3D 4D

?

 

I held AKx, QTx, AQxxxx, A, so a slam may be on (4D promised 9-11 and 2+ support), if we have a heart control and GIB has the DK. How to find?

Let's check the alternatives.

 

4S - Hmm. The explanation says that this shows 4-card support, 6+ diamonds and a strong hand. Why would anyone hide a major suit support for one round is beyond me, but I'm a simple man. A bit suspect?

4NT - well, won't ask about hearts, so this is out.

5C - an honest cue! But, wait? The explanation tells that in addition to promising a club control, this denies a heart control (good) and denies a spade control (WTF?).

 

Well, one of the explanations must be off. I gambled on it being the explanation of 4S, and bid it (given that a misinterpretation will not be spectacularly wrong). Naturally GIB passed with KTx diamonds, a singleton heart and QJ to five spades. No foul breaks, so twelve tricks (HA lead).

 

Hand

 

I wasn't alone. Only two players found the slam. One blasted it, the other fired the ole' Black.

 

But here's the question. If 4S shows a desire to play in spades (why it would promise 4 is still beyond me), then 5C can not deny the SA. Something is not right?

 

Not a major problem, of course. Just one that roboplayers should know about. Punting a slam or two may be best?

[mike777]

to be fair finding a heart cuebid by pard is tough on this one....If you cue 4s gib just might rebid 5d to deny club cuebid.

 

I suppose you might play 5c promises clubs and spcue but denies h cue but....cuebidding above rkc ask can just be confusing.

 

I would just rkc just to try and find the grand, option 2 is to blast to 6d.

[Jyrki_63]

to be fair finding a heart cuebid by pard is tough on this one....If you cue 4s gib just might rebid 5d to deny club cuebid.

 

I suppose you might play 5c promises clubs and spcue but denies h cue but....cuebidding above rkc ask can just be confusing.

 

I would just rkc just to try and find the grand, option 2 is to blast to 6d.

 

Fair enough, if feeling lucky (or in need of a top), I should just blast. Not criticizing GIB really. Just curious about the IMHO contradictory definitions of the bids.