how to bid this hand

[Cyberyeti]

I think he felt he had told his story. 2-suited and at least 8 points. His singleton spades makes his void worth less if we are playing in spades. I think the initial mistake on this bidding was mine - I should have jumped in spades to better describe my hand. I do think his hand was too strong to not ask for key cards - but I went on bidding because of my two singletons in his suits. I was hoping I can sluff. Turns out he had both kings as well - so it was cold for 7.

 

We actually play 2♣-positive F4N unless a suit is known to be open (which is one of the reasons we have a decently high bar for both 2♣ and a positive).

 

As it is, if you had simply bid 5N on the end of your auction, depending on methods, partner shows 2 kings or some sort of specific kings via 6♣-6♦-6♥ you will be in 7N with confidence. Less easy if 5N is pick a slam but you imply it isn't for you.

[Winstonm]

[hv=pc=n&w=sakqj853h6dakt2c5]133|100[/hv]

 

OK - here is the other side of the story.

 

South has passed when the bid came to me. I opened 2C.

 

My partner bid 2H - so I know him to have 5 hearts and a good suit (2 of top 3 or 3 of top 5), and a minimum of 8 points.

 

I now mention my spades at the two level. I know someone mentioned bidding them at the 3 level, but I know I get to bid again so I bid them at the 2 level. Curious to know if that is an underbid?

 

Next, partner says 3 clubs - so I figure he is two suited - but they are my singletons. I really want to know if he has kings and aces in those suits so I can sluff my 2 losing diamonds. A void in diamonds is only useful if he has spades.

I next bid 3 spades.

 

My partner then made a bid that I think is an underbid - and he said 4 spades. By this point, I feel we should be in slam and I bid 4NT. He responded 5H and I bid 6 spades. I should have bid 5 NT to ask for kings - but instead I chickened out and bid 6 spades. WE made 7 and about 1/2 the field wound up in 7.

 

Now - if I ask for kings, he would tell me he had the king of clubs. I still don't know about the kind of hearts or if he has a queen in clubs. I know I will have transportation problems in all likelihood. Frankly - we are intermediate players rather than advanced - and we do tend to back away from 7 bids.

 

I would appreciate any advice as to how this auction should have gone now that you have both sides of the story. Should I open 1 spade instead of 2c? Should I jump in spades?

 

Thanks in advance?

 

First, I wouldn't open 2C, but you did so that is OK.

Second, with your partner's hand, I would assume you have a single suited spade hand when you rebid them so with my singleton spade I would raise 3S to 4S as you have not limited your hand so you are captain of this auction.

[pescetom]

Question - what does the 5NT bid mean or ask for?

 

I can see that responder is in a better position to see 7 rather than 6 because responder knows about the kings. When I bid, Iknew we had first round control of all the suits and I certainly expected that I would get all the spades. My concern was the 2 losing diamonds - especially when I did not get indication of partner having spades. How do I know that both my losing diamonds are covered - especially since I know that there will likely be transportation issues with my 2 singletons.

 

Could you explain the 5NT, 7S sequence for me?

 

5NT by E confirms the oustanding keycards and denies the Q of trumps. Note that 5♣ by W showed odd keycards (must be 3) as well as clubs control.

7S by W assumes E's hearts are as promised and the diamonds losers can go there, perhaps with a heart ruff if necessary and possible. But a more cautious W would continue 6♦ over 5NT which would also make E's 7NT decision simpler.