Bidding Q&A 02
This deal also comes from X-Clubs on 14/11/25
Board 19 . Dealer S EW Vul
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Q
KJT987532
A
ATSouth opens 1D. West passes
Q1. As North, what thoughts occur?
A1. My first thought would be: heart slam. How can you not bid a slam with a hand like North’s opposite an opening bid ..
Q2. How best to find the right slam?
A2. Obviously, start with a quiet 1H
Q3. What should South rebid?
A3. Obviously the most useful rebid for North would be 1NT because that would give North the confidence that there won’t be two heart losers. Now it should be automatic for North to ask for aces, find South with only one and bid 6H
Q3. If South rebids 2D, how should North proceed? Should North be worried about the possibility of only one (or even none) heart with South?
A3. Yes, of course but with NINE hearts, even opposite a void there are chances for only one heart loser
Q4. When North asks the question and finds one ace with South (4H) should North keep asking or be conservative and bow out in 4H?
A4. The North hand offers too many chances and I would bid 6H opposite ANY opening bid after checking for, and finding one ace. At match points, certainly. Across all of X-Clubs, out of 282 NS pairs only 64 bid 6H though some ‘super scientists’ got overboard in a grand slam with the inevitable result
Q5. Would it not be nice to be able to bid such a hand with more certainty and less guesswork and trepidation?
A5. If the reader would like to dabble with my 1/1 version, I can send the first three or four chapters to them, free and no obligation. Just ask!
