Spot the Potential
Board 11 from Wednesday 6th Sept. Dealer S All Vul
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K
AJ7432
KJ972
AI really don't want to keep on about slams, but there is more to this deal than just bidding slams.
Firstly, is there anyone who would not open the South hand? Despite only 11 HCP, the shape makes the hand worth more than the learners' guideline of 12 HCP for an opening bid. Once South opens 1S, there should be no stopping NS. South, then, opens 1S, and that should silence West. North bids 2H. A bid of 2H opposite a 1S opening by partner promises at least FIVE hearts the way everyone should play it, because it makes subsequent bidding much easier. It is common practice because with only four hearts responder can introduce a three card minor suit, but we won't belabour that point now.
Thus, North bids 2H and South raises to 3H. That should be of great interest to North who can now ask for aces by the very simple bid of 4C. If you are playing a simple game, that should not be read as anything other than Gerber. It also keeps the bidding below game level should South have only one ace. But when South shows two aces the number of possible losers becomes few enough for a slam to be warranted. North then happily bids to 6H. Yes, the play is not automatic and still requires finding the king of hearts via a finesse (which works) as well as playing the diamond suit for no losers. In the latter case, the old adage of “eight ever, nine never” when missing the queen will result in the diamond suit also playing for no losers when the queen falls in two rounds.
More care in declarer play is needed at the Hutt, folks, because only three Norths made all the tricks in a heart contract, including the only one who bid to 6H. That was an easy top for the only pair who recognised the true potential of their hands and were able to realise it.
