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Ask the Expert
Part 1
All white, you deal and pick up Q985432 KJ1087 4 —. The auction begins:
P - P - 2N - P
?
(1) What is your call?
(2) How will you handle the follow-up bidding?
Part 2
If the auction had gone:
P - P - 2C - P
2D(waiting) - P - 2NT - P
?
(3) Would your calls be any different? How?
Bill Bauer. Part 1. Of course, I bid 3H, transfer to spades. Part 2. I respond 2S, my shape making up for not having 8+ HCP. But I would not fault a 2D waiting bid.
John Dickenson. In both scenarios I bid 3H, transfer to spades and raise to 4S as a mild slam try. Certainly if the partnership plays Exclusion Keycard Blackwood (EKB) you could consider bidding 5C over 3S as key card, telling partner to ignore the club ace. The heart suit is a red herring; we have a 9 card spade fit.
Elaine Clair. In both cases I would transfer to spades and then bid four to show possible slam interest. I wouldn’t bother showing my 5H when I already have a 7 card spade suit. With a spade fit slam should be highly likely.
Mitch Snyder. In both cases I want to be in no less than four of a major or maybe a slam. The only way I can think of to show both suits is if you play that 3NT over 2NT shows 5S and 4H. You might start there. (Would that treatment be on after the 2C/2D/2NT sequence?) Failing that, a transfer to spades followed by a raise to 4S showing mild slam interest is all you can do. With no keycards, I think a splinter, EKB or control bid is too aggressive.
Email your questions, or a pesky hand, or something you’d like to know about bidding or playing to Toysie Walker. She will forward them to the panel, one will be chosen, and the question and answers will be printed in the following week’s newsletter.
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