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“The High Road or The Low Road?”

There are times when the standard approach to bidding makes it difficult to explore for the best contract especially when you are in the “maybe slam zone”. “One step too many” can lead you to a minus score when the breaks are bad or the fit not as good as you would want while “one step too few” will leave you in the comfort of game but longing to be somewhere higher.

An example is the following from last night at Akarana. Where would you go from here holding:

 AK754

54

KT5

K95

as South after this undisturbed sequence:

North                   South

1                    1

3                       ?

Assuming 3 is natural game-forcing, your side is very close to slam..but which slam? With 4 of the 12 tables subsiding in 3NT, there was a divergence of opinions as how to proceed. Would 4 be waiting for more information (ideal for this time) or a cue-bid agreeing diamonds, the last bid suit? If you go above 3NT, can you stop in time if the news is poor? Blackwood itself would be a crude alternative because if opener had 5 diamonds, then 6, maybe even 7, of the minor would be the place to be but with only 4 of that suit, most routes, rightly or wrongly would lead to 6NT.

The full board shows that the step forward paid off:

 

 

The 4^th suit 4 would have uncovered North’s fifth diamond. Then Roman Key Card would have revealed that all the necessary high cards were present though South would be wise to stay in 6 as a poor break of either red suit could make the grand impossible. Even transferring East-West’s hearts would cause its downfall.

Precision handles such boards well, at least in theory. A 2 overcall from East could eat up valuable bidding space but the moment North opens 1, South is in the slam zone.

Time then to put in a plug for our approach where a simple change of suit by opener is unlimited (up to 19) and a one –round force.

          North                   South

          1                       1

          2                       3 (4^th suit, game-forcing)

          3                       3NT

          5NT (Pick a slam)

after which South could choose 6.  With the heart finesse working, 6NT was fine too though 6 could succeed even when it is not and even then with some 4-1 diamond breaks.

Basically, responder showed the values for game opposite a minimum opener. North was much stronger than that and after South's 3NT sign-off drove the partnership to slam.

There are many ways to reach this slam though it is hard for a partnership to explore for a slam at the 4 level without a clear agreement as to what is forcing and also how to sign off. Another trap awaited some on Board 23.

This board was handled well enough by most pairs though five of the eight pairs who reached slam would have gone down had South found a heart instead of a diamond lead as East was at the wheel:

 

 

After West opens 2, a popular approach is to play 2 as weak or waiting. While this time, all should be well if West rebid 2NT, if West chooses 3, East must be careful. In theory, the correct bid is 3NT denying a five card suit but that could show no value and leave the partnership too low. Therefore, a slight lie would be 3, natural or waiting. After West’s likely 3NT reply, East can drive to slam.

Richard Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

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