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Ask the Expert
White against red, south opens 1NT. E/W pass throughout.
North: K10 4 AKQ10 AJ9865
South: AQ5 A962 87 KQ73
The Bidding goes: --1N - 2S
3C - 3D
3N - 6C
P
We got to the least optimum slam. My partner meant 3D as a cuebid but I didn’t take it that way. Using 4-way transfers, how does one get to 6N?
John Dickenson
1N - 2S
3C (superaccept) - 3H (shortness with slam interest)
3S (control) - 4N (RKCB)
5D (0 or 3) - 6N at matchpoints if aggressive, 6C at teams
No room for Queen ask if don't play Kickback.
Dennis O'Brien
1N - 2S (transfer to clubs)
3C (superaccept) - 3D (cue bid)
3H (cue bid) - 4N (1430)
5D (3 keycards) - 6N if you need a board to win, 6C otherwise
Bill Bauer
I expect to reach 6NT and on a good day, 7C.
1NT - 2S
3C - 3D
3H - 4NT
5S - 5NT
7C
Mitch Snyder
I like the auction through the 3D control bid, which should be followed with more control bids and eventually 4NT by North. After finding that they hold all the keycards, I would use the Q ask on the way to 7C, stopping at 6C. 6NT is not safe with a single heart stopper.
1N - 2S
3C - 3D
3H - 3S#------# if you cuebid kings
4S* - 4NT-----* denying a second heart control
5C/D - 5D/H
6C
Or
1N - 2S
3C - 3D
3H - 4D#------# if you don't cuebid kings
4S* - 4NT-----* denying a second H control
5C/D - 5D/H
6C
Elaine Clair
There are several options here. I like Mitch’s second bidding sequence for the average club players.
The other option is what the experts recommend which shows shortness after agreeing on the club suit. That would be
1N - 2S (transfer to C)
3C (I like C) - 3H (shortness)
3S (control) - 4D (control)
4H (control) - 4N (Keycard (3014) for C)
5C (3 or 0) - 5D (Q ask)
6C or 7C. You have no king so therefore no way to show the Q except to jump to 7.
The original bidding sequence is probably the simplest. Once responder finds there is a C fit he wants to be in slam. I’m all for the safest place which is C.
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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