1NT-3H or 3S

Since work (tutoring) started up again, I haven't played bridge or blogged in a while.

An important tool for reaching slams is the jump to 3 of a major when partner opens 1NT (15-17.) This was a traditional part of standard bidding, 1NT-3H or 3S showing at least a five card suit and at least game-forcing values. Opener was expected to raise or cue-bid an Ace with 3 or more trumps, or bid 3NT to deny support. Since the widespread adoption of transfers, these jumps are no longer needed when trying to decide between 3NT and 4H/4S. Responder with, say, AJxxx KQx xx xxx simply transfers to 2S and then jumps to 3NT, expecting opener to correct to 4S with 3+ trumps.

But what about AJxxx AQx xx Axx ? Responder knows the combined assets total 30 to 32 hcp, plus a point for his 5 card suit, and possibly a point if opener has a doubleton and 3+ trumps. That's somewhere between 31 and 34 points in value. The usual target for 6NT is 33 hcp; but with a fit, slam in the major suit may be quite good. Picture opener with KQxx Kxxx Axx Kx, for example: 5 trumps, 3 hearts, 3 quick tricks in diamonds and clubs, plus a club ruff. That's a "perfect 15", but opener could have many 16 or 17 point hands which would give a good play for 6S. Note that 6NT requires a lucky 3-3 heart break, squeeze or defensive error, and in any of those cases you would likely take all the tricks at spades.

So, how should responder proceed? Most likely, transfer to 2S, then jump to 4NT, which partner takes as Blackwood or RKCB; if the response shows no more than one key card missing, responder then bids the slam (without knowing whether a fit exists!) or, more likely, huddles for a long time before bidding 5S. With a good hand, opener gets the message and raises to 6S. (If anyone reading this doesn't know, such bidding is illegal and is apt to result in an adjusted score and warning from the director at any high-level event.)

Go back to old-fashioned bidding: with a slammish hand, responder's hand is approximately as good as opener's and transferring to opener's hand isn't a priority. Jumping to 3H or 3S instead of transferring shows definite slam interest. Opener bids 3NT as before to deny support, but tends to cue-bid freely since responder is known to be interested in slam. A typical 1NT opening has 5 controls (Ace =2, King = 1, so AAK or AKKK); I would suggest cue-bidding any time opener has a fit and at least 4 controls (AA, AKK or four Kings.) Any such cue-bid promises 3+ trrumps. Opener raises 4 with trump support but no more than 3 controls (AK or KKK or worse.)

Traditionally, a slam cue-bid promised first-round control of a suit, and since opener is known not to have a void, such cue-bids promise the Ace. However, for a small slam, it is only necessary to avoid two quick losers in a suit, so KQ by opener or Kx by responder is adequate control. My practice is to "borrow" a key card from the trump suit when cue-bidding a King; with no such card to "borrow", I skip over the King and bid the cheapest Ace. With that restriction, cue-bid the cheapest control so that the partnership can quickly determine, below the game level, whether all suits are controlled. Then someone can use RKCB to make sure you aren't missing two key cards or one key plus the queen.

Example1:

KQxx     AJxxx
Kx          AQx
QJxx       xx
Axx        KQx

1NT-3S
4C-4H
4S-pass

Responder shows his 5 card suit and slam interest; opener has 4 controls and trump suipport, so he cooperates by cue-bidding 4C. Responder cue-bids 4H, skipping the diamond suit. With no control in diamonds, opener sings off at 4S. Despite 31 HCP, an excellent fit and 4 key cards, a poor slam is avoided.

Example 2:

Kxx       AQJxx
Qx         AJx
AQxx    Kx
KQxx    xxx

1NT-3S
4C-4D
4S-4NT
5H-6S

Responder shows his suit and slam interest; opener shows his fit by cue-bidding his cheapest control, "borrowing" the King of trumps to cue-bid in clubs. Responder shows his diamond control, "borrowing" the Ace of trumps to cue-bid the diamond King. Opener has no control in hearts; responder does, and RKCB shows four key cards are held. Holding the Queen of trumps, responder bids slam.

At first glance, slam seems to need a finesse in hearts; but one heart can be pitched on a diamond and their are chances for another pitch on clubs or the fourth diamond if South can be squeezed. So, this is a better than 50% slam. Add a ten to opener's hand in either minor and the odds improve substantially.