Input wanted

[Zelandakh]

I think any discussion on slam bidding should start with the logic - strength->tricks->controls->key cards. Then you can go through the tools for each step starting with evaluation. That brings in the idea of low hcp slams, so the importance of trick-taking suits plus bidding tools such as splinters and fit jumps. Next come Serious/Frivolous and Last Train, which I think is a decent topic on its own for many decent but non-expert players.

 

If there were additional time, such as a full course of lectures, then you could move on to some more detailed ideas such as special bidding tools - jumps to 5 of the trump suit, 5NT or in a side suit for example. Then a chapter on getting the most out of RKCB dealing primarily with follow-up asks but also perhaps mentioning how using Kickback can make RKCB symmetric for every suit; and finally, the important topic of when not to use RKCB.

 

For a single lecture the logic and evaluation sections are the most important and (imho) the obvious choice unless the audience level is too high. If good players understand the logic of slam bidding then they will go and find out about the tools they need to use that logic (or come back to your follow-up lecture!). If they do not understand this then it does not matter what tools they have available, they will always struggle.

[PhilKing]

I've done a few of these over the years, and my favourite hand to give (I won't tell you why yet) is:

 

♠-

♥AKQ

♦A

♣JT9876543

 

Partner opens 5♠ and the next hand passes. WWYDAW?

[WellSpyder]

I've done a few of these over the years, and my favourite hand to give (I won't tell you why yet) is:

 

♠-

♥AKQ

♦A

♣JT9876543

 

Partner opens 5♠ and the next hand passes. WWYDAW?

If partner's 5♠ opening means what it means for me, he is expecting me to pass without any of the top ♠ honours. However, as far as I can see the only possible hand he can have if he expects to make 5♠ opposite a bust and one more for each top ♠ is a hand with a void in each red suit plus the top ♣s. So I will bid 7♣ and rely on him not to go back to ♠s.

[lesh]

I fully agree with this. I was planning to use about 1/2 to 2/3 of the lecture on how to gauge the trick potential.

 

Edit: On one of the slides I had already planned a STOP sign over Blackwood (of whatever form) with the text: "Do not use unless you think you have 12 tricks."

 

 

One of the auctions I had in mind was:

 

1♠-2m

2♥-3♠

 

where opener holds something like:

 

♠KQ743

♥A853

♦KQ3

♣5

 

depending on the minor partner bid, this is a great hand, or just a good opening. All this under the assumption that partner actually shows something when he bids 2m.

 

Rik

 

It might be a good idea to discuss when to jump to 3sp like here and when not to.

 

For me 3sp bid eats space so I would prefer partner to bid 2♠ as we are in GF after all and over 2♠ I can show my distribution - i.e. 2nt 5422, 3♥ 55, 3♦ 5431 etc. :)

[Zelandakh]

If partner's 5♠ opening means what it means for me, he is expecting me to pass without any of the top ♠ honours. However, as far as I can see the only possible hand he can have if he expects to make 5♠ opposite a bust and one more for each top ♠ is a hand with a void in each red suit plus the top ♣s. So I will bid 7♣ and rely on him not to go back to ♠s.

Good for the classical meaning but some enterprising players are happy to open such a 5M opening with a preemptive hand holding the ♠AK, knowing that their partner will pass this. So we need to know our full agreement before making the commitment.