Subtle Approach

15th July – Board 20: Game all. Dealer West

	North: S J 8 7 H A 2 D 5 2 C K Q 9 7 5 3
West: S 6 2 H J 9 7 D J 8 7 4 3 C A 10 6		East: S K 9 5 H 5 4 D K 10 9 6 C J 8 4 2
	South: S A Q 10 4 3 H K Q 10 8 6 3 D A Q C none

I think that nobody reached a slam on the hand shown above and surprisingly a couple of pairs didn’t even aspire to game, but in truth the road to success should not have been too difficult. One of the beauties about being in a game-forcing situation is that you can make any bid below the game level knowing that partner cannot possibly pass. At least that is the theory, for you have to recognize when that situation has arisen.

West	North	East	South
No	No	No	1H
No	2C	No	2S*
No	3C*	No	3S*
No	4S	No	5D
No	5H	No	6S
All Pass

* = forcing to game bids. Must have absolute faith in partner!

South can do little more than open 1H but should be delighted when his partner responds at the two-level because a reverse bid now of 2S is forcing to game. Why is that? Well the reverse shows a good hand, usually upwards of 16 points and the responding hand must be quite good as it is strong enough to bid at the two-level. From this base we can see that 3C is forcing and would show a six card suit and when opener rebids his second suit – showing at least five – he must have at least six hearts because if you are 5-5 in the majors you open 1S. I thought at the time that North was a bit good for just bidding 4S but upon reflection I have changed my mind. Nevertheless South should continue to look for a slam by cue-bidding 5D, NOT 5C, because his partner would be charmed with the ace of clubs opposite but not a void. (Never, ever, cue-bid a void in partner’s main suit.) And of course it would be madness to wheel out the Old Black because you would not know from the answer which ace partner held. So give him a chance to cue the ace of hearts. Anyway hearing that bid should be enough to warrant bidding the slam; an easy make as the cards lie.