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The Rainy Day Arrives.

Have you ever discussed a bidding situation with your partner, come to an agreement what you would do in that situation and place that agreement somewhere very deep in your memory-bank? Well, you know that the chances of that situation arising are so rare, one in a million, that you will never use that agreement or convention. It seems you should never say “never”.

     

 

That was the hand we left you with yesterday, a pretty ordinary 9-count. You pick up hands like that one frequently, every session. However, we asked you what was the one question your partner was going to ask you about this hand before placing the final contract.

“A slightly odd question in itself” you might ask? You see, the West hand was slightly unusual. Are you ready for it? Before you see it, just check those system agreements which have laid dormant for centuries in your systems' cupboard:

 

What would be your first thoughts when you pick up the West hand? Perhaps, just make sure that you do indeed only have two suits! Missorting is a condition prone to us all at times.

That’s done. Now, check the board and see you have only third shot at bidding. Will East and South spoil your big moment? Perhaps, at some tables, South did get in the way. However, Christchurch’s John Skipper was given the opportunity to open the bidding with the West hand.

Way, way, way, back he and his wife, Jane, had talked over the 4NT specific ace ask opening bid. Have you?

You can only use this bid when you know where to go depending on the answer, rather like Blackwood. No traditional Blackwood, Gerber or any other ace-ask would tell you which ace was held by your partner, if more than one is missing. As you can see, if Jane (East) held A, then they would be off to the grand level. However, if her ace is in clubs or hearts, then that ace is useless and they must stay in small slam.

So, John asked. You respond with the specific ace you hold at the five level, except that 5 shows no aces (forget about key-cards: this is about the “top dogs”!) and 5NT shows the A. If you are blessed with two aces, then you bid the lower of the 2 at the 6 level.

Say you had three? Well, that should never arise, which must mean that our West hand here is not a perfect 4NT opener after all…but it’s pretty close! With three, we presume you bid the lowest at the seven level! And with all 4? We will not go there!

Jane was able to respond 5 and thus John could bid the grand slam making Jane declarer in 7 (perversely, a 5-0 or 5-1 spade break might skuttle 7 from John's point of view…and not 7NT for any extra match-points!)
Dusting out that conventions' cupboard

Jane and John Skipper

They were the only pair in the on-line session to bid to grand-slam. Rumour has it that some were three levels lower! Jane really did thank her partner for that dummy. They have now buried that convention for another century or five. Back to 5431 9-counts!

A Grand Line

 

We will stay in the area of grand slams for our week-end problem. I did not think it was necessary to explain the play in 7 in the deal above. However, you have a little problem in making all 13 tricks in 7 here. How would you go about solving it?

Richard Solomon

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