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The April 2008 column brings an unusual bidding problem in that we will have both hands. What is the preferred auction to get to slam after opening 1

and after opening 1NT? The bidding system includes Strong No Trump openings, Jacoby Transfers, Five Card Major openings, Two-over-one responses, Bergen raises (including 2NT) and splinters.

First, we will start with an opening bid of 1

. The North hand is worth a great deal knowing the partnership holds at least ten trumps. A reasonable start is a splinter bid of 4

or a two-over-one bid of 2

. After a splinter raise, the South hand is worth going past game despite the waste in diamonds. The best bid is 4

. After hearing South move towards slam, North can show his club values. It is time for South to evaluate his club values. Norths cue promises at least the Ace of Clubs. South does not have quite enough to insist on slam. He knows the partnership is missing the Ace of Diamonds, and will have to play the rest of the hand for no losers. North could have a good hand with not quite the right values, in which case eleven tricks will be the limit of the hand. So, South should bid 5

North will have the decision to bid slam. He is looking at an extra trump and a significant source of tricks in his club suit. South showed enough interest in slam to go past game. He has the Ace of Spades but is missing the Ace and King of clubs. He did not bid 5

, so the partnership is missing the Ace of that suit. Partner has to have the Ace and King of hearts to justify his bidding. At worst, the game will depend of picking up the club suit for no losers. And South might easily have the Queen of clubs. Slam is the correct bid.

West

North

East

South

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---

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1

Pass

4

Pass

4S

Pass

5C

Pass

5

Pass

6

All Pass

The other auction begins with South opening 1

and North bidding 2

. South should raise, giving North a chance to bid 3

to show his heart support. South has an easy 3

cue bid, which leaves North with nearly enough to ask for aces. However, a simple 4

cue bid will be enough for South to ask for aces. After learning the partnership is missing one ace, South can sign off in a small slam.

West

North

East

South

---

---

---

1

Pass

2

Pass

3

Pass

3

Pass

3

Pass

4

Pass

4NT

Pass

5

Pass

6

All Pass

The next auction to consider is South choosing to open 1NT. North will transfer, and South will show the terrific fit by jumping to 3

. After North bids 4

, South can show his Ace of spades. A 5

bid, promising the King of Clubs in addition to the Ace, will give South enough information to bid a slam. He holds the Queen of clubs, which means there are no possible losers in that suit. South should bid 5

at this time, just in case North holds the Ace of that suit. After North signs off in 5

, South bids the slam.

West

North

East

South

---

---

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1NT

Pass

2

Pass

3

Pass

4

Pass

4

Pass

5

Pass

5

Pass

6

All Pass

Slam is easy. Win the opening lead, draw trump in two rounds and cash the club winners to discard your spade loser. Did you get to slam?

West

North

East

South

---

---

1

1

Dbl.

2

Pass

3

Pass

4

All Pass

West leads a spade, which you win in dummy. Not a friendly lead at all. Without a spade lead, you could easily maneuver two club ruffs in dummy. It makes no sense now to go after your club ruffs, so you lead a heart. East wins with the King and returns the Ten of Diamonds. You win with your Ace. Plan the play assuming you are playing IMPs or Matchpoints. Are the plans different?

The answer next month. Those who want to express their opinion should contact the webmaster. I will try to mention all those who take the time to give me a thoughtful answer.

	North
	x x
	J x x x x
	x
	A K J x x

	South
	A x
	A K 10 9 x
	K J x
	Q 10 9

		North
		x x
		J x x x x
		x
	C	A K J x x
West			East
K J x x x			Q x x x
Q			x x
Q 10 x x			A x x x x
x x x			x x
		South
		A x
		A K 10 9 x
		K J x
		Q 10 9

	North
	Q 10 8
	J 10 9 8 7 4
	9 7 3
	A

	South
	A K J 9 6 4
	6
	A 4
	10 8 6 2