Missed slam ATB

[ahydra]

MPs, weak opponents, spots approximate

 

[hv=pc=n&s=st9853h7da3cakj65&n=sakqjhd87542cqt72&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=3h3s4h5hp5sppp]266|200[/hv]

 

5H = slam interest with first round heart control.

 

ahydra

[MrAce]

Tuff hand.

 

Although North needs to know holding AKQJ ♠ it is very unlikely that pd is accepting anything, I still can't blame North since South would bid exactly as he did

 

• with ♥A instead of ♦A.
• With ♥A instead of ♣A
• With ♦AKJ +♥A and Kxx or even Jxx(x) ♣.

I do not blame anybody but if someone is bidding the slam, that will be South, Look at South hand, at first glance it is miserable, some may not even overcall with this suit. But when pd acknowledges South the fit and 1st round ♥ control, slam is playable even vs as low as Axxx ♠ or Kxxxx ♠. Of course slam is hopeless vs QJxx AK KQJx Qxx.

 

So I wouldn't really blame anyone. It's just bridge and preempts.

[el mister]

24 pt slam, MPs, and pard's first bid is over 4H? Nae blame.

 

3S with that poorly holding seems right to get to game, and wrong to get to slam. So is the winning MP bid long term IMHO.

[Tramticket]

I doubt that we would find the slam. The 3S overcall looks 'bold' and I would be glad that we reached a good game rather than being doubled for a number (imagine west with AKQJ of spades rather than North!). Would a 4C over-call be natural? Or 2-suited?

 

I think your best chance of reaching slam is for south to pass and North make the take-out double. But even then, you will both have to make some optimistic decisions.

[ahydra]

Would a 4C over-call be natural? Or 2-suited?

 

Natural.

 

Thanks all for the responses - indeed while I was writing the hand I was thinking that getting to a 24 HCP slam after a 3-level pre-empt and barrage is going to be a tough ask, so "no blame" sounds very fair. It got us a 60% board, so can't complain - 480 was popular, beaten only by two pairs who both had generous opponents (one were in 5SX and the other somehow made 510).

 

ahydra

[rmnka447]

I'm for no blame also. Their preempt worked in this case not leaving enough room to properly ascertain 12 tricks are available.

[Cyberyeti]

I want to bid more with the N hand, partner has overcalled 3♠ with a poor suit, you're potentially making a grand opposite the right 7 count (1098xxx, xxx, void, AK9x) and there must be a good chance partner has either more than 5 spades or a 5 card minor, may not have a decent heart holding as unless minimum (and I don't expect him to overcall on many 5332s with that bad a suit), he might have tried 3N.

[WesleyC]

Just to clarify - You're trying to assign blame for missing a slam at MPs (against weak opponents) on a hand where partner blundered by over-calling T98xx at the 3 level and you're trying to assign blame for not bidding 6S that happens to make on 24 HCP and a double-fit.

 

Please stop.

[SteveMoe]

South holds 6 losers and 5 controls opposite a partner showing slam interest and a ♥ control (no mention of last train...). Partner's ♥s are either void or Ax, if the opponents are to be believed. Partner must have the ♠ nuts and perhaps one or two minor suit honors. Trust your assessment and bid 6♠. Points Schmoints.

[SteveMoe]

South holds 6 losers and 5 controls opposite a partner showing slam interest and a ♥ control (no mention of last train...). Partner's ♥s are either void or Ax, if the opponents are to be believed. Partner must have the ♠ nuts and perhaps one or two minor suit honors. Trust your assessment and bid 6♠. Points Schmoints.