Right-click here for hands. I've never seen so many big hands!
Board 2: South opens 1NT (15-17), West may overcall 2D -- only 7 hcp but a good suit and favorable vulnerability -- might interfere with their Stayman or transfeer auction. Many players like "stolen bid" doubles (dbl here = hearts, 2H = spades) but experts universally reject those -- double is more useful for penalty or takeout or "cards". Instead, North can cue-bid 3D as Stayman (forcing to game); East doubles for a lead (showing the Ace or King in partner's suit), and South bids 3S. North is light on points and has no Aces, but with both opps showing values in diamonds maybe opener doesn't have a lot there. North counts 5 losers (AK in spades and clubs, A of hearts); any 4 of those cards would total only 14 or 15 hcp, so a slam try is warranted. 4D suggests the shortage and South, with 4 key cards, should id the salm, perhaps after a keycard auction. With trumps splitting 2-2, declarer has 5 long spades, 4 hearts, a club and two more trumps in hand for an easy 12 tricks; he can try the club finesse or pitch a club and try to ruff out the King, but 12 is the limit today.
Board 5: North could justify an opening 1S bid, but with only 10 hcp and no Aces, a preempt looks best. With 8 solid spades I'd open 4S despite the unfavorable vulnerability. East doubles and West may as well try to beat 4S as bid somethign at the five level. 4S should be down 2 tricks but only one E/W pair managed that. 6C makes but I can't see a reasoanble way to bid it.
With his wealth of high cards, East should probably lead his Ace of trumps, getting a look at dummmy and protecting his assets against a fluke ruff in dummy. The defense should collect the obvious 5 tricks for +500. When declarer leads the King of hearts, East should grab the Ace and lead a club -- if you've cashed the AK of diamonds, there aren't enough side cards left in preemptor's hand to worry you might be leading into the AQ.
Board 6: East has 22 hcp, but 4315 is an awkward shape if you start with a strong 2C. east shold either open 1C, planning to jump shift later in spades, or open 2C, planning to rebid in notrump (treating the stiff Ace as equivalent to a doubleton.) I'd open 1C, and that might well end the auction. North may balance (1D or perhaps a double) but with less than 9 hcp, I usually pass a standard 1 bid out since opener is generally loaded, if not quite this strong! Over 1D East may be temepted to jump to 2S, but partner's pass should give pause -- you only need a trick for game, but partner may well be broke. I'd double 1D, planning to bid 1S over partner's likely 1H. South may raise to 2D but not if he's seen partner bid this way before. West bids 2C, East should bid 2S as planned. West may as well bid 2NT -- partner is showing a monster and West does have diamonds stopped. East raises to 3NT. North leads a diamond and West can hope to make the hand by knocking out the Ace of clubs and finessing in spades -- no luck today, but not a bad shot.
If East opens 2C, West makes a negative or waiting bid, East rebids 2NT and West raises to game. South's best lead is also a diamond, however, and the result should be the same. With no Stayman from West, South may guess to lead a heart, instead, sllowing East to make. I'd say the hearts are too poor to try that.
Board 9: Unless South opens light, West opens 1S in 4th seat, East responds 1NT, and West either invites with 2NT (this suggests 17-18 hcp) or just blasts 3NT. East should accept the invitation, so the result here is the same. South has no attractive lead and declarer is apt to make 11 tricks on anything other than a club lead.
Board 10: Vulnerable, should East pass or open 3C? Well, they're vulnerable as well and 3127 shape tends to play better than 2227 and those club spots look good -- by this time it's obvious you were thinking, might as well bid (which leaves everyone guessing what your problem was) as pass (which makes it obvious you almost had a bid.) Over 3C, I'm sure many Souths bid only 3H but you need so little from partner I think 4H is better. 3H does leave more room to bid show the diamonds but you are unlikely to be able to desribe this hand accurately.
West has relatively poor 5332 shape, but apparently E/W have 12 clubs! The "Law of Total Tricks" would suggest bidding 6C, but that may just stampede them into 6H and you know one of them is void in clubs. 5C is the practical bid, and if they guess to bid slam, let it go -- they'll guess wrong another time.
North must do something -- 5H or double? Well, double is usually the expert choice in those bidding contests, retaining the flexibiity to blame partner for whatver happens next :). Anyway, that's my choice. South pulls this to 5D with his 1660 shape. Back to North -- 5H or 6H? Two big cards and fits for both of partner's suits, but it is not clear North has more than the usual 7 hcp partner counts on over a preempt. 5H making 6 looks normal.
Board 11: South should pass his ratty 11 count -- be sure to deduct a point for no aces and/or the stiff Queen before you decide this is a Rule of 20 bid or Goren 13 count. West has 20 hcp and a good 5 card spade suit; 2NT is the usual bid these days. You won't miss game opening 1S but it will often wrong-side the notrump. However, partner is likely to have 3 card support so it is not clear to me 2NT is best -- it sure crowds the auction. North considers preempting 3H on his 6-4 shape, but the "empty" suit should convince him to pass. East has just enough to respond 1NT and West raises to game. If West opens 2NT, East raises to game. South has no good lead -- no point in leading spades when West is known to have 5 -- and perhaps tries a low club, won in dummy (West.) With hearts wide open and no play for 9 tricks, East should cross to his hand with a diamond, finesse the club, and cash out for down two. If North is on lead the defense takes 6 fast heart tricks and declarer is apt to have trouble deciding what to keep.
Board 15: After a pass, West looks at a prime 21 count, excellent 5152 shape, and good spot cards in diamonds. Two-suited hands can be awkward to handle if you open 2C -- you can't stop below game since every new suit by opener is forcing. My choice was 1S, but when partner raised I leaped to 4NT (RKCB) and bid slam over the 5D reply (1 or 4 key cards.) Maybe too ambitious -- the trump King is worth only half a trick and nothing else is useful. However, the opening lead was the Queen of diamonds and later I guessed to play the leader for QJ rather than Q singleton.
If West opens 2C, East could bid 2NT if that shows a natural, balanced 8-10 count. West bids 3S and East raises to game, content with having shown values and a fit. 4NT leads to 6S as before. Playing step responses, East bids 2S (7-9 hcp) and steals the hand! Playing 2H as a bust, East responds 2D (4+ hcp, waiting, or at least one Ace or King, depending on style) and then raises West's 2S to 3S. All roads lead to slam, and the bad luck of finding responder with such poor cards is balanced by the lucky QJ drop, though a reasonable declarer might play South for QJ and try to finesse twice.
Board 23: South opens a clear-cut 2C (22 hcp and an obvious notrump rebid) and North bids 2D, waiting, 2NT (steps, 10-12), 2NT natural (8-10), or 3NT (10-12, playing 2H as a bust and 2NT as a heart positive.) 6NT is likely on the combined 32 count, but 2C-3NT- pass or 2C-2NT-3NT-4NT pass would be reasonable auctions -- it usually takes 33 hcp to have good play for 6NT.
West has a tough lead -- neither cashing nor undeerleading the Ace of spades is attactive against 6NT. I'd lead a club hoping not to blow a trick, which appears to work. South drives out the Ace of spades, setting up 2 tricks and "rectifying the count" as if for a squeeze, although no squeeze is possible with only one threat suit (diamonds). West exits safely with a club or spade and South cashes his clubs, spades, and finally hearts. East must keep at least three diamonds to beat the slam.
Board 28: West opens 2C with 21 hcp and a good 6 card suit. East replies 2D (waiting, or waiting 4+) or 2H (steps, 4-6) and West should rebid 2NT, aiming for the more likely notrump game rather than 5C or 6C. East transfers to hearts (3D Jacoby or 4D Texas) and bids (or passes) game. North has little expectation of ruffing a club, but prefers the singleton lead to underleading any of his high cards into the big hand. Declarer wins in East and leads the Jack of hearts, South takes his Ace perforce and returns a club, but the defense collects only one more trick whether North ruffs or discards. A spade lead, as it happens, would've held declarer to 10 tricks.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 29th 2011
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No Play -- Board 8: West opens 1D and North likely bids some number of hearts. At our table it was 2H, a reasonable compromise given the crummy suit, but 1H (to allow partner room to bid spades) or 3H (good shape) are also plausible. Over any bid, East doubles (negative, showing spades) and East prefers to rebid notrump with his double stop rather than repeat the moth-eaten diamonds. With 13 hcp opposite an opening bid plus help in hearts, 3NT by East is apt to end the auction, and any North/South pair who bid to 4H deserve their poor score.
A heart lead leaves West no play -- too many points in hearts, no way to shut out North who obviously has a side entry or two given the lack of high cards in his suit. West can minimize the damage by leading a diamond toward dummy, or finessing South for the Jack -- I made the mistake of leading the Queen from hand, blocking the suit.
Can E/W stay out of game? A cautious auction might stop at 2NT (East suspecting the duplication in hearts) and -50 would score above average, but really this is just one of those hands.
28 Highs -- Board 9: South triple counts, yep, 28 hcp, but awkward shape for a 2C opening. Some might open 1C but with this much strength game is likely opposite zero, and you cna't count on the enemy keeping the bidding open for you. North replies 2D (negative or waiting) or a step or "bust" response. I think North should treat this hand as 3 points -- scattered junk, no Ace or King, so I'd recommend a 2D 0-3 step or a 2H bust reply. North can always raise to game despite showing weakness.
After 2D waiting, South might pretend his hand is balanced but that seems overly risky, so the normal rebid is 3C. It's vital to have an agreed "second negative" here, and the most snesible is "cheapest 3 of suit = bust hand". The club bid improves North's Jack, and with a five card major, 3S might be OK, but North still has zero controls and perhaps a 3D second negative is best. South continues with 3H and North can reasonably bid 3NT, suggesting perhaps 3 points and help (not necessarily full stoppers) in spades and diamonds. South can "do the math" and rule out 6NT, so it's either pass or 6C, hoping partner has help or the suit splits 3-3. If North makes a more positive move, such as 3S over 3C, South will surely drive to slam, but all roads are fraught with peril -- any of 4D, 4H or 4NT could be taken as agreeing spades, and while 4C is forcing, it seeems to overstate the suit quality.
An alternate plan is for South to threat the chunky heart suit as 5, rebidding 2H over 2D. North should ignore his spades and raise directly to 4H, a bid that shows a fit and a trick but no first or second round control. This allows South to skip Blackwood, but while South may suspect 6C is a better spot, there's no obvious way to offer partner a choice, and in any case North will prefer the suit where he has greater length. 6H makes on a lucky 3-3 split, but note that Jxx or xxxx support would make 6H a good contract, and 6H could also make if trumps were 4-2 but the Jack drops doubleton.
6NT by South is apt to make since West is unlikely to lead or underlead his Ace, but I'd hate to count on that!. 6C looks like a good contract, requiring trumps no worse than 4-2. If the hearts don't come in, South may be able to ruff out a spade honor or cash his winners and benefit from a defensive error. I don't think South has a genuine squeeze but the defense is not always perfect.
No Play -- Board 8: West opens 1D and North likely bids some number of hearts. At our table it was 2H, a reasonable compromise given the crummy suit, but 1H (to allow partner room to bid spades) or 3H (good shape) are also plausible. Over any bid, East doubles (negative, showing spades) and East prefers to rebid notrump with his double stop rather than repeat the moth-eaten diamonds. With 13 hcp opposite an opening bid plus help in hearts, 3NT by East is apt to end the auction, and any North/South pair who bid to 4H deserve their poor score.
A heart lead leaves West no play -- too many points in hearts, no way to shut out North who obviously has a side entry or two given the lack of high cards in his suit. West can minimize the damage by leading a diamond toward dummy, or finessing South for the Jack -- I made the mistake of leading the Queen from hand, blocking the suit.
Can E/W stay out of game? A cautious auction might stop at 2NT (East suspecting the duplication in hearts) and -50 would score above average, but really this is just one of those hands.
28 Highs -- Board 9: South triple counts, yep, 28 hcp, but awkward shape for a 2C opening. Some might open 1C but with this much strength game is likely opposite zero, and you cna't count on the enemy keeping the bidding open for you. North replies 2D (negative or waiting) or a step or "bust" response. I think North should treat this hand as 3 points -- scattered junk, no Ace or King, so I'd recommend a 2D 0-3 step or a 2H bust reply. North can always raise to game despite showing weakness.
After 2D waiting, South might pretend his hand is balanced but that seems overly risky, so the normal rebid is 3C. It's vital to have an agreed "second negative" here, and the most snesible is "cheapest 3 of suit = bust hand". The club bid improves North's Jack, and with a five card major, 3S might be OK, but North still has zero controls and perhaps a 3D second negative is best. South continues with 3H and North can reasonably bid 3NT, suggesting perhaps 3 points and help (not necessarily full stoppers) in spades and diamonds. South can "do the math" and rule out 6NT, so it's either pass or 6C, hoping partner has help or the suit splits 3-3. If North makes a more positive move, such as 3S over 3C, South will surely drive to slam, but all roads are fraught with peril -- any of 4D, 4H or 4NT could be taken as agreeing spades, and while 4C is forcing, it seeems to overstate the suit quality.
An alternate plan is for South to threat the chunky heart suit as 5, rebidding 2H over 2D. North should ignore his spades and raise directly to 4H, a bid that shows a fit and a trick but no first or second round control. This allows South to skip Blackwood, but while South may suspect 6C is a better spot, there's no obvious way to offer partner a choice, and in any case North will prefer the suit where he has greater length. 6H makes on a lucky 3-3 split, but note that Jxx or xxxx support would make 6H a good contract, and 6H could also make if trumps were 4-2 but the Jack drops doubleton.
6NT by South is apt to make since West is unlikely to lead or underlead his Ace, but I'd hate to count on that!. 6C looks like a good contract, requiring trumps no worse than 4-2. If the hearts don't come in, South may be able to ruff out a spade honor or cash his winners and benefit from a defensive error. I don't think South has a genuine squeeze but the defense is not always perfect.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday July 27th 2011
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Urgent Defense -- Board 3: West opens 1D (better than 1C with no major suit stoppers, you might want to rebid clubs later); North leaps to 3H. East, with a balanced 10 count, should double (negative for spades) rather than pass. West sees no hope of game and reasons that if 4C or 4D can make, 3H is probably beatable -- West makes a "hari-trigger" matchpoint penalty pass. East leads the Jack of diamonds, covered by dummy's Ace. The defense can figure declarer has 6 or 7 hearts, and so 6 or 7 cards outside of trumps; the Ace of diamonds and KQ of sapdes cover at elast 2, so that leaves possibly 4 side suit winners for the defense, plus a trump. Declarer's could finesse in trumps but decides to set up a disacrd first by leding to his Jack of spades. West can signal count, following low with an odd number, but East should win and try to cash winners now -- dummy's KQ of spades are an immediate threat. Suppose East tries a low club, West winning the King. Should West try another club or a diamond? I guessed wrong but in retrospect partner seems more likely to have 4 clubs than 5 diamonds, and partner can more easily read you for the Ace of clubs than both high diamonds. Two more diamond tricks plus the King of hearts is just enough for +100, the best E/W can manage over 3H.
Getting to Slam -- Board 10: East opens 1NT (15-17) and West has a difficult hand to value, 2704 shape and 8 high cards points. Visualizing, West could hope for AQxx KQx xxxx Ax, a "perfect minimum" which suggests West should invite but not insist on slam. Partner is unlikely to go to slam on that hand, but the non-minimum hands he accepts an invitation on may include those cards or others equally useful. How to invite? One technique is to transfer (2D) and then "self-splinter" (4D.) This sequence suggests six or more trumps, a singelton or void in diamonds, and enough for slam if partner does not have too many wasted values opposite the short suit.
North might double the transfer to show his diamonds, but that bid is better reserved for a suit headed by two of the top three honors or perhaps AJ10, since the primary purpose is to direct a lead. North might also bid 3D if he thinks the overall shape compensates for the vulnerability and jumky QJ values.
Over 3D, East should accept the transfer despite being at the three level. This decision is akin to "super-accepting" (jumping to 3H over a pass) -- East should have an excellent hand with 4 good trumps since partner has not promised any strength with the transfer, merely 5 hearts. If North passes, East's hand is questionable for 3H: great trumps, 17 hcp and a doubleton, but the black suit high cards may not be pulling full weight.
Regardless, West bids 4D, or over 3H, perhaps 5D suggesting the void. Over 4D, East lacks a spade control and may retreat to 4H if he has already shown a good hand, but should cue-bid 5C if all he did was bid 2H after the transfer -- a partner who is looking for slam will surely be pleased with the KQ of trumps and two side Aces! West may repeat the diamond cue-bid with 5D but in any case has enough for 6H as long as opener showed some sign of life along the way. The slam would be safer played by West (protecting the King of spades), but it doesn't matter today as South has the spade Ace. Seven trumps, three minor suit winners and two ruffs make for an easy 12 tricks.
I'm enjoying Marty Bergen's articles about slam bidding. The key to good slam bidding is proper evaluation -- do we have enough for 12 tricks? If the answer is "yes", use cue-bidding or 4NT to make sure you don't have 2 quick or trump losers. If the answer is "maybe", try to suggest slam WITHOUT getting above the game level -- such as West's 4D bid on today's hand (jump or not.) Never chase a slam that requires partner to have the best hand possible, and certainly not if you cannot construct a hand that would produce 12 tricks. The technique of inviting slam if you can visualize 12 tricks opposite a "perfect minimum" strikes a balance between being too aggressive and too cautious. If you need partner to have a perfect maximum, give up and settle for game. If you can count 12 tricks opposite a hand at least a Queen below what partner has promised, go ahead and drive to slam or check on controls.
Urgent Defense -- Board 3: West opens 1D (better than 1C with no major suit stoppers, you might want to rebid clubs later); North leaps to 3H. East, with a balanced 10 count, should double (negative for spades) rather than pass. West sees no hope of game and reasons that if 4C or 4D can make, 3H is probably beatable -- West makes a "hari-trigger" matchpoint penalty pass. East leads the Jack of diamonds, covered by dummy's Ace. The defense can figure declarer has 6 or 7 hearts, and so 6 or 7 cards outside of trumps; the Ace of diamonds and KQ of sapdes cover at elast 2, so that leaves possibly 4 side suit winners for the defense, plus a trump. Declarer's could finesse in trumps but decides to set up a disacrd first by leding to his Jack of spades. West can signal count, following low with an odd number, but East should win and try to cash winners now -- dummy's KQ of spades are an immediate threat. Suppose East tries a low club, West winning the King. Should West try another club or a diamond? I guessed wrong but in retrospect partner seems more likely to have 4 clubs than 5 diamonds, and partner can more easily read you for the Ace of clubs than both high diamonds. Two more diamond tricks plus the King of hearts is just enough for +100, the best E/W can manage over 3H.
Getting to Slam -- Board 10: East opens 1NT (15-17) and West has a difficult hand to value, 2704 shape and 8 high cards points. Visualizing, West could hope for AQxx KQx xxxx Ax, a "perfect minimum" which suggests West should invite but not insist on slam. Partner is unlikely to go to slam on that hand, but the non-minimum hands he accepts an invitation on may include those cards or others equally useful. How to invite? One technique is to transfer (2D) and then "self-splinter" (4D.) This sequence suggests six or more trumps, a singelton or void in diamonds, and enough for slam if partner does not have too many wasted values opposite the short suit.
North might double the transfer to show his diamonds, but that bid is better reserved for a suit headed by two of the top three honors or perhaps AJ10, since the primary purpose is to direct a lead. North might also bid 3D if he thinks the overall shape compensates for the vulnerability and jumky QJ values.
Over 3D, East should accept the transfer despite being at the three level. This decision is akin to "super-accepting" (jumping to 3H over a pass) -- East should have an excellent hand with 4 good trumps since partner has not promised any strength with the transfer, merely 5 hearts. If North passes, East's hand is questionable for 3H: great trumps, 17 hcp and a doubleton, but the black suit high cards may not be pulling full weight.
Regardless, West bids 4D, or over 3H, perhaps 5D suggesting the void. Over 4D, East lacks a spade control and may retreat to 4H if he has already shown a good hand, but should cue-bid 5C if all he did was bid 2H after the transfer -- a partner who is looking for slam will surely be pleased with the KQ of trumps and two side Aces! West may repeat the diamond cue-bid with 5D but in any case has enough for 6H as long as opener showed some sign of life along the way. The slam would be safer played by West (protecting the King of spades), but it doesn't matter today as South has the spade Ace. Seven trumps, three minor suit winners and two ruffs make for an easy 12 tricks.
I'm enjoying Marty Bergen's articles about slam bidding. The key to good slam bidding is proper evaluation -- do we have enough for 12 tricks? If the answer is "yes", use cue-bidding or 4NT to make sure you don't have 2 quick or trump losers. If the answer is "maybe", try to suggest slam WITHOUT getting above the game level -- such as West's 4D bid on today's hand (jump or not.) Never chase a slam that requires partner to have the best hand possible, and certainly not if you cannot construct a hand that would produce 12 tricks. The technique of inviting slam if you can visualize 12 tricks opposite a "perfect minimum" strikes a balance between being too aggressive and too cautious. If you need partner to have a perfect maximum, give up and settle for game. If you can count 12 tricks opposite a hand at least a Queen below what partner has promised, go ahead and drive to slam or check on controls.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday, July 17th, 2011
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Five in spades, four or six in clubs -- Board 4: After two passes, East opens 1S. If playing Reverse Fit Drury, West responds 2C to show a game invitational spade raise; East closes the auction with a leap to 4S. Not playing Drury, West's hand is too strong for a simple raise, and lacks the fourth trump expected for a double raise, so 2C natural is the normal action. East raises to 3C, which shows some extra values -- with a minimum hand East could pass since West is a passed hand. West bids 3S to show his support and the same 4S contract should be reached. South leads from the KQ of hearts; East wins, concedes a heart, and eventually ruffs a heart and runs the Queen of spades for 11 tricks.
Six clubs actually makes since West can pull trumps, finesse in spades and pitch his heart loser on a spade. This is a four-or-six hand, since if the finesse fails the defense can collect a spade, heart and diamond. Not a good slam given the wasted values in diamonds opposite the singleton, but move the King of diamonds to spades and six clubs is a near laydown. Nine card fits with singleton and/or long suits on the side can produce a lot of tricks.
Lucky 6 -- Board 7: I would not open South's mangy collection with a weak 2D or anything else, though of course such a bid will sometimes work. West opens 1H, East responds 2C, West rebids 2H. Some play this as showing extra length but the normal expert practice is that the rebid merely limits opener's hand -- bids of 2S, 3C or 3D would show extras. 2NT traditionally showed extras but nowadays commonly indicates a minimum, so 2H can be taken as an unbalanced minimum, or a 15-17 balanced hand that chose not to open 1NT. East has 14 hcp and so must force to game, but 3NT with no spade stopper is too risky. East can improvise with 3D, urging West to bid 3NT with spades stopped. West could rebid the hearts to confirm six, but 3NT looks best with the strong spades and weak hearts. Most pairs reached 3H, however, probably on an auction like 1H-2C-2H-4H.
Against 4H, a trump or club lead should not be considered given the orignal 2C response; you can expect declare to pull trumps, set up clubs and pitch losers, so it's vital to make an attackng lead in an unbid suit. The Jack of diamonds stands a better chance of setting up something than leading the worthless spades. However, the lead is immaterial. West would like to set up the clubs but lacks the entries to accomplish that as well as leading toward his Queen of trumps. Almost any line succeeds since the QJ of spades drops and the King of hearts is bare after playing the Ace.
Second seat preempt -- Board 16: After West passes, North must decide how many diamonds to bid. With a fair 8 card suit and little defense, 4D looks normal. In first or third seat, not vulnerable vs. vulnerable, I'd recommend 5D; you don't want to defend against four of a major, and it's better to bid five now than to give the enemy a fielder's choice of doubling of bidding five of their own suit. In second seat, howeve, one opponent has already passed and the odds are 50% partner has the best hand at the table. Here, a 3D bid, leaving room for 3NT or 4S or to explore for 6D, may be best.
Some number of diamonds was the result at all but one table - South might bid 3H over 3D but should pass partner's retreat to 4D. Several declarers stole 11 or 12 tricks but against a preempt, leading an Ace to look at dummy is not a bad strategy. There's less chance the Ace is covering an honor as compared to other bidding sequences. When the KQ appear in dummy, East switches to a low spade and the defense collects the first three tricks.
Neither East nor West has a good hand to act over a 4D opening, but many Wests will be tempted to double or bid hearts. North has given a reasonable description of his hand and should not be tempted to bid 5D -- let partner decide what to do. East bids 4S over a double and South has enough defense to hope to beat it. However, with only one Ace, South does not double. South leads the Ace of diamonds and North drops the King. North could play a high spot card to encourage in diamonds, and it's not hard to place North with a heart void given the preempt and South's length in the suit.
Five in spades, four or six in clubs -- Board 4: After two passes, East opens 1S. If playing Reverse Fit Drury, West responds 2C to show a game invitational spade raise; East closes the auction with a leap to 4S. Not playing Drury, West's hand is too strong for a simple raise, and lacks the fourth trump expected for a double raise, so 2C natural is the normal action. East raises to 3C, which shows some extra values -- with a minimum hand East could pass since West is a passed hand. West bids 3S to show his support and the same 4S contract should be reached. South leads from the KQ of hearts; East wins, concedes a heart, and eventually ruffs a heart and runs the Queen of spades for 11 tricks.
Six clubs actually makes since West can pull trumps, finesse in spades and pitch his heart loser on a spade. This is a four-or-six hand, since if the finesse fails the defense can collect a spade, heart and diamond. Not a good slam given the wasted values in diamonds opposite the singleton, but move the King of diamonds to spades and six clubs is a near laydown. Nine card fits with singleton and/or long suits on the side can produce a lot of tricks.
Lucky 6 -- Board 7: I would not open South's mangy collection with a weak 2D or anything else, though of course such a bid will sometimes work. West opens 1H, East responds 2C, West rebids 2H. Some play this as showing extra length but the normal expert practice is that the rebid merely limits opener's hand -- bids of 2S, 3C or 3D would show extras. 2NT traditionally showed extras but nowadays commonly indicates a minimum, so 2H can be taken as an unbalanced minimum, or a 15-17 balanced hand that chose not to open 1NT. East has 14 hcp and so must force to game, but 3NT with no spade stopper is too risky. East can improvise with 3D, urging West to bid 3NT with spades stopped. West could rebid the hearts to confirm six, but 3NT looks best with the strong spades and weak hearts. Most pairs reached 3H, however, probably on an auction like 1H-2C-2H-4H.
Against 4H, a trump or club lead should not be considered given the orignal 2C response; you can expect declare to pull trumps, set up clubs and pitch losers, so it's vital to make an attackng lead in an unbid suit. The Jack of diamonds stands a better chance of setting up something than leading the worthless spades. However, the lead is immaterial. West would like to set up the clubs but lacks the entries to accomplish that as well as leading toward his Queen of trumps. Almost any line succeeds since the QJ of spades drops and the King of hearts is bare after playing the Ace.
Second seat preempt -- Board 16: After West passes, North must decide how many diamonds to bid. With a fair 8 card suit and little defense, 4D looks normal. In first or third seat, not vulnerable vs. vulnerable, I'd recommend 5D; you don't want to defend against four of a major, and it's better to bid five now than to give the enemy a fielder's choice of doubling of bidding five of their own suit. In second seat, howeve, one opponent has already passed and the odds are 50% partner has the best hand at the table. Here, a 3D bid, leaving room for 3NT or 4S or to explore for 6D, may be best.
Some number of diamonds was the result at all but one table - South might bid 3H over 3D but should pass partner's retreat to 4D. Several declarers stole 11 or 12 tricks but against a preempt, leading an Ace to look at dummy is not a bad strategy. There's less chance the Ace is covering an honor as compared to other bidding sequences. When the KQ appear in dummy, East switches to a low spade and the defense collects the first three tricks.
Neither East nor West has a good hand to act over a 4D opening, but many Wests will be tempted to double or bid hearts. North has given a reasonable description of his hand and should not be tempted to bid 5D -- let partner decide what to do. East bids 4S over a double and South has enough defense to hope to beat it. However, with only one Ace, South does not double. South leads the Ace of diamonds and North drops the King. North could play a high spot card to encourage in diamonds, and it's not hard to place North with a heart void given the preempt and South's length in the suit.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, July 15th 2011
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No obvious game -- Board 9: East opens 1D or 1C -- the usual rule is to open 1D with 4-4, but that assumes you plan to show both minors. With a balanced hand, I would open the better suit, 1C, planning to rebid in notrump. South jumps to 2H, weak. West, with 16 hcp, has an awkward hand -- double shows the four card spade suit, but it may be difficult to show the strength later. Still, a negative double is the normal action as either 2S or 3D would strongly suggest a five card suit. North doesn't like his flat shape but with a known 9 card fit, favorable vulnerability and a few values 3H is the normal action, increasing the pressure on E/W. This silences East, and West has no obvious action after South's pass. Choices include a do-something double, if that would not be taken as pure penalty; guessing to bid some number of spades, diamonds or clubs; or a do-something cue-bid. West really needs East's help here and, as a pass of 4H is inconceivable opposite any but a raw beginner, that was my choice. I failed to consider the repeat double and that is probably the best option with this relatively balanced hand. Had East opened 1D, it would now be easy to bid clubs, and West would correct to the better combined minor suit holding, but on today's hand 3NT, 5C and 5D are all hopeless with the losing finesses in spades and diamonds.
Conditions, however, are perfect for a 4-3 spade fit -- a strong trump suit (5 of the top 6 between the two hands), the short trump hand being short in the enemy suit, and plenty of tricks on the side. E/W lose one spade, one heart and one diamond. However, it is not easy for either East or West to recognize the strong suit, so it's hard to see reaching spades on anything but a guess.
Not enough for slam -- Board 19: (no hand records from this point on): West opens Qxx A10xx AQ10x 10x in second seat and East has visions of slam with AKx QJx Kx KJ9xx . A strong 3C bid followed by 3NT would be a fair description, but we happened to be playing that as a splinter; others, of course, play weak jump shifts; and many would not consider the suit strong enough for a jump. 2C is the normal response, forcing to either 2NT or 3NT according to style. Many would rebid 2NT with West's balanced minimum but this wastes bidding room; 2H is more convenient and should not show reversing values or shape since West is not allowed to open 1H with 4-4 in the red suits. East, too strong to settle for 3NT at thsi point, keeps the bidding rolling with 2S. This may be the "Fourth Suit Forcing" gadget, or just a mild distortion. Either way, it should create a game force -- 2C over 1D, followed by a major suit rebid, should promise full opening bid values even if 2C itself did not. West limits his hand with 2NT. At this point East should realize that no fit has been found, and 17 plus 12 to 14 adds up to at most 31 hcp -- not enough for slam lacking a fit. East should simply raise to 3NT and give up on slam.
If the bidding starts 1D-2C-2NT, East has a problem -- there may still be a fit in clubs. East can force the bidding with 3S, but if opener is allowed to skip over a major to rebid 2NT, there's too much risk of a raise and a confusing auction afterwards. Best is an invitational jump to 4NT. In my book Gerber and Quantitative 4NT go hand-in-hand: Gerber is defined as a Jump Over Notrump Only (JONTO) and where Gerber is available, 4NT is invitational, not Blackwood. West passes with his minimum. West likely takes 10 tricks at notrump.
Positive Response Helps Slam Bidding -- Board 29: North and South have shapely hands, but are likely to stay out of the bidding bieng vulnerable. East opens 2C and West respoonds acccording to style -- natural, slam-positive 2H (generally 8+ hcp and KQxxx or better suit), "Steps" 2S (7-9 hcp) or "Replacement" 2NT -- when 2H shows a bust, 2NT shows a positive response in hearts. Any of these bids should led to slam with East having a fit and excleent controls (3 Aces and 3 Kings.) A possible auction might be 2C-2H-3H-3NT (waiting, nothing to cue-bid)-4NT (RKCB)-5D (one key card)-6H (missing a key card, but West must have a good suit.)
Some prefer to bid 2D "automatically", a style that in my opinion makes it hard for responder to enlist opener's help looking for slam. Opener rebids 2NT, and responder transfers to hearts. But how to proceed over opener's 3H? Responder must choose a brute force bid such as 4NT or 5H, risking that the defense can cash two winners in some suit. The positive response puts opener in the driver's seat.
North, with QJ98xxx J10x -- 9xx may jam the bidding with a 3S opening preempt. I believe such weak hands are not generally very effective as preempts, and vulnerable it is certainly risky, but anytime you force the enemy to start exchanging information at the four level you have a chance to win the board. The void, at least, makes action more attractive than a sterile 7222 shape.
The preempt pressures East -- bid the likely 3NT game and risk missing a slam (partner will never guess you are this strong), or double and rebid notrump? That will have to be 4NT, which partner is apt to take as some form of Blackwood, and in any case may be too high if partner is weak. Credit the preemptor with, say, 7 hcp; with East's 22 that leaves 11 out, and partner might have half of those, 5-6 points. Not enough for slam, so 3NT looks to be the practical bid. West transfers to hearts, but that still does not reveal any strength and 4H by East looks to be the normal spot. 4H West was the popular contract at our club, perhaps following a takeout double by East.
No obvious game -- Board 9: East opens 1D or 1C -- the usual rule is to open 1D with 4-4, but that assumes you plan to show both minors. With a balanced hand, I would open the better suit, 1C, planning to rebid in notrump. South jumps to 2H, weak. West, with 16 hcp, has an awkward hand -- double shows the four card spade suit, but it may be difficult to show the strength later. Still, a negative double is the normal action as either 2S or 3D would strongly suggest a five card suit. North doesn't like his flat shape but with a known 9 card fit, favorable vulnerability and a few values 3H is the normal action, increasing the pressure on E/W. This silences East, and West has no obvious action after South's pass. Choices include a do-something double, if that would not be taken as pure penalty; guessing to bid some number of spades, diamonds or clubs; or a do-something cue-bid. West really needs East's help here and, as a pass of 4H is inconceivable opposite any but a raw beginner, that was my choice. I failed to consider the repeat double and that is probably the best option with this relatively balanced hand. Had East opened 1D, it would now be easy to bid clubs, and West would correct to the better combined minor suit holding, but on today's hand 3NT, 5C and 5D are all hopeless with the losing finesses in spades and diamonds.
Conditions, however, are perfect for a 4-3 spade fit -- a strong trump suit (5 of the top 6 between the two hands), the short trump hand being short in the enemy suit, and plenty of tricks on the side. E/W lose one spade, one heart and one diamond. However, it is not easy for either East or West to recognize the strong suit, so it's hard to see reaching spades on anything but a guess.
Not enough for slam -- Board 19: (no hand records from this point on): West opens Qxx A10xx AQ10x 10x in second seat and East has visions of slam with AKx QJx Kx KJ9xx . A strong 3C bid followed by 3NT would be a fair description, but we happened to be playing that as a splinter; others, of course, play weak jump shifts; and many would not consider the suit strong enough for a jump. 2C is the normal response, forcing to either 2NT or 3NT according to style. Many would rebid 2NT with West's balanced minimum but this wastes bidding room; 2H is more convenient and should not show reversing values or shape since West is not allowed to open 1H with 4-4 in the red suits. East, too strong to settle for 3NT at thsi point, keeps the bidding rolling with 2S. This may be the "Fourth Suit Forcing" gadget, or just a mild distortion. Either way, it should create a game force -- 2C over 1D, followed by a major suit rebid, should promise full opening bid values even if 2C itself did not. West limits his hand with 2NT. At this point East should realize that no fit has been found, and 17 plus 12 to 14 adds up to at most 31 hcp -- not enough for slam lacking a fit. East should simply raise to 3NT and give up on slam.
If the bidding starts 1D-2C-2NT, East has a problem -- there may still be a fit in clubs. East can force the bidding with 3S, but if opener is allowed to skip over a major to rebid 2NT, there's too much risk of a raise and a confusing auction afterwards. Best is an invitational jump to 4NT. In my book Gerber and Quantitative 4NT go hand-in-hand: Gerber is defined as a Jump Over Notrump Only (JONTO) and where Gerber is available, 4NT is invitational, not Blackwood. West passes with his minimum. West likely takes 10 tricks at notrump.
Positive Response Helps Slam Bidding -- Board 29: North and South have shapely hands, but are likely to stay out of the bidding bieng vulnerable. East opens 2C and West respoonds acccording to style -- natural, slam-positive 2H (generally 8+ hcp and KQxxx or better suit), "Steps" 2S (7-9 hcp) or "Replacement" 2NT -- when 2H shows a bust, 2NT shows a positive response in hearts. Any of these bids should led to slam with East having a fit and excleent controls (3 Aces and 3 Kings.) A possible auction might be 2C-2H-3H-3NT (waiting, nothing to cue-bid)-4NT (RKCB)-5D (one key card)-6H (missing a key card, but West must have a good suit.)
Some prefer to bid 2D "automatically", a style that in my opinion makes it hard for responder to enlist opener's help looking for slam. Opener rebids 2NT, and responder transfers to hearts. But how to proceed over opener's 3H? Responder must choose a brute force bid such as 4NT or 5H, risking that the defense can cash two winners in some suit. The positive response puts opener in the driver's seat.
North, with QJ98xxx J10x -- 9xx may jam the bidding with a 3S opening preempt. I believe such weak hands are not generally very effective as preempts, and vulnerable it is certainly risky, but anytime you force the enemy to start exchanging information at the four level you have a chance to win the board. The void, at least, makes action more attractive than a sterile 7222 shape.
The preempt pressures East -- bid the likely 3NT game and risk missing a slam (partner will never guess you are this strong), or double and rebid notrump? That will have to be 4NT, which partner is apt to take as some form of Blackwood, and in any case may be too high if partner is weak. Credit the preemptor with, say, 7 hcp; with East's 22 that leaves 11 out, and partner might have half of those, 5-6 points. Not enough for slam, so 3NT looks to be the practical bid. West transfers to hearts, but that still does not reveal any strength and 4H by East looks to be the normal spot. 4H West was the popular contract at our club, perhaps following a takeout double by East.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday, July 3rd 2011
Right-click here for hands.
21 point 1444 -- Board 12: North has 5 1/2 quick tricks but no long suit. Best to open a minor, if you get passed out you are not missing game. 1C leaves maximum room for someone to bid. South responds 1S, as expected; North rebids 2D, a forcing reverse. Ordinarily this promises five cards in the first suit, but the alternative of opening 1D and jumping to 3C suggests five diamonds; there's no perfect bid.
South counts 7 losers with clubs as trumps. Opener's reverse suggests 16+ hcp; at around 3 hcp per trick, that can cover 5 losers, plus at least one spade ruff if North cannot support spades. Smelling a slam in clubs, South can make a straightforward jump to 4C, or rebid the spades first hoping, perversely, opener can't raise. Opener promises the values for at least 2NT and so 2S is forcing in the modern style, without showing or denying extra values; it is routine with any five card suit, but should deny 4 hearts. With no major suit fit, opener bids the obvious 3NT game. South is not done, though; his 4C bid is a clear slam try -- one doesn't pull a game contract to play in a part-score. North bids 4NT, RKCB, South bids 5H to show 2, and North can see zero losers -- responder has shown 5 spades and at least 4 clubs (or 3 and a good hand) leaving only 4 red cards which North obviously has covered. However, 13 tricks may be hard to find; North lets South in on the decision by bidding 5NT to confirm all 5 key cards plus the Queen of clubs. South, however, is uncertain about a possible spade loser and bids only 6C, which North passes. The fifth club, heart Queen and stiff spade make for an easy 13, but 6C making 7 is a top board anyway.
They have 12 spades -- Board 26: East opens 1D; South glances at the vulnerability before passing. West can visualize slam if East has a club control. For example, xxx Kx KJ10xx Axx makes for an easy 12 tricks -- but you'll need that magic 10 of diamonds (or a 3-3 split) to allow overtaking the Queen, assuming they knock out the Ace of clubs early. West's hand looks good for 2H (strong), which may shut out North (who also glances at the vulnerbility.) East bids 3C, West 3H as planned -- the clubs are too poor to raise with in a slam auction, while the hearts are self-sufficient. East can show his heart support and the spade void by jumping to 5S; if that might confuse partner, East can bid 4NT to check on key cards, West replies 5S to show 2 plus the Queen, and East bids a practical 6H, unsure which side Ace partner holds. 6H making 7 ties for a top -- no reason to risk such a good score chasing a grand slam.
I'm sure most West reponded 1H; now North is likely to bid a bold 2S or a timid 1S. East can make a support double to show 3 card support if those have been agreed. (A support double is by opener, only, after partner has responded 1H or 1S, only, and 4th hand bids. Not a convention for casual partnerships!)
Not playing support doubles, East bids a slow 3C, 3D or 3H. The break in tempo will be obvious but does not create a problem as long as East bids; West cannot know whether East considered a stronger or weaker move. A slow pass, however, strongly suggest extra values and can limit West's ethical choices.
3C seems the most flexible call, though it risks missing a better fit in diamonds or hearts. South leaps to 4S -- his shape is poor, but E/W are unlikely to double your 12 card fit at this level. All of West's cards look better for offense than defense; he's sure to bid either 5C or 5H. The near-solid major looks best. East has shown a good hand but no heart support and along with the void a raise to 6H is justified. This should end the bidding unless South thinks 12 trumps = bid for 12 tricks; down 5 doubled and vulnerable is 1400, slightly better than 6H making but hardly a triumph. E/W tie for a top with 1460.
21 point 1444 -- Board 12: North has 5 1/2 quick tricks but no long suit. Best to open a minor, if you get passed out you are not missing game. 1C leaves maximum room for someone to bid. South responds 1S, as expected; North rebids 2D, a forcing reverse. Ordinarily this promises five cards in the first suit, but the alternative of opening 1D and jumping to 3C suggests five diamonds; there's no perfect bid.
South counts 7 losers with clubs as trumps. Opener's reverse suggests 16+ hcp; at around 3 hcp per trick, that can cover 5 losers, plus at least one spade ruff if North cannot support spades. Smelling a slam in clubs, South can make a straightforward jump to 4C, or rebid the spades first hoping, perversely, opener can't raise. Opener promises the values for at least 2NT and so 2S is forcing in the modern style, without showing or denying extra values; it is routine with any five card suit, but should deny 4 hearts. With no major suit fit, opener bids the obvious 3NT game. South is not done, though; his 4C bid is a clear slam try -- one doesn't pull a game contract to play in a part-score. North bids 4NT, RKCB, South bids 5H to show 2, and North can see zero losers -- responder has shown 5 spades and at least 4 clubs (or 3 and a good hand) leaving only 4 red cards which North obviously has covered. However, 13 tricks may be hard to find; North lets South in on the decision by bidding 5NT to confirm all 5 key cards plus the Queen of clubs. South, however, is uncertain about a possible spade loser and bids only 6C, which North passes. The fifth club, heart Queen and stiff spade make for an easy 13, but 6C making 7 is a top board anyway.
They have 12 spades -- Board 26: East opens 1D; South glances at the vulnerability before passing. West can visualize slam if East has a club control. For example, xxx Kx KJ10xx Axx makes for an easy 12 tricks -- but you'll need that magic 10 of diamonds (or a 3-3 split) to allow overtaking the Queen, assuming they knock out the Ace of clubs early. West's hand looks good for 2H (strong), which may shut out North (who also glances at the vulnerbility.) East bids 3C, West 3H as planned -- the clubs are too poor to raise with in a slam auction, while the hearts are self-sufficient. East can show his heart support and the spade void by jumping to 5S; if that might confuse partner, East can bid 4NT to check on key cards, West replies 5S to show 2 plus the Queen, and East bids a practical 6H, unsure which side Ace partner holds. 6H making 7 ties for a top -- no reason to risk such a good score chasing a grand slam.
I'm sure most West reponded 1H; now North is likely to bid a bold 2S or a timid 1S. East can make a support double to show 3 card support if those have been agreed. (A support double is by opener, only, after partner has responded 1H or 1S, only, and 4th hand bids. Not a convention for casual partnerships!)
Not playing support doubles, East bids a slow 3C, 3D or 3H. The break in tempo will be obvious but does not create a problem as long as East bids; West cannot know whether East considered a stronger or weaker move. A slow pass, however, strongly suggest extra values and can limit West's ethical choices.
3C seems the most flexible call, though it risks missing a better fit in diamonds or hearts. South leaps to 4S -- his shape is poor, but E/W are unlikely to double your 12 card fit at this level. All of West's cards look better for offense than defense; he's sure to bid either 5C or 5H. The near-solid major looks best. East has shown a good hand but no heart support and along with the void a raise to 6H is justified. This should end the bidding unless South thinks 12 trumps = bid for 12 tricks; down 5 doubled and vulnerable is 1400, slightly better than 6H making but hardly a triumph. E/W tie for a top with 1460.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Friday, July 1st 2011
Right-click here for hands.
Monster 4054 -- Board 17: East has 20 hcp and a void, but can only count 7 tricks with no help from partner. If the long suit were a major, you might open 2C despite the difficulty of showing this shape, but game in a minor will surely require partner's help and 1D is the best opening bid. West responds 1H, and North might pass but I suspect most will be tempted to overcall in spades. North has no ace, a ratty suit, scattered values, and the terrible shape -- this would be a clear pass at IMPs but odds are slightly better than 50% partner has 3 card support and you won't get hurt very often overcalling at the one level.
East was planning a 2S jump shift over the expected heart response, but jumps to 3C instead after North's overcall. Many players confuse jump shifts and reverses; opener's reverse is a non-jump bid, promising 17+ points and forcing for one round; opener's jump in a new suit (jump shift) is forcing to game, showing 20+ in value. South, of course, has nothing to say.
West has a fit for clubs, but the two Queens are of doubtful value, and West is uncertain whether the hand belongs in clubs, hearts, or notrump. The late, great Al Roth might bid 3D as a "mark-time" bid, but in the real world you'll never convince partner to play in clubs after that. 4C is straightforward, but gives up on 3NT. 3S asks for help to play 3NT, but will wrong-side that contract if East has Axx or such. That leaves 3H -- does that promise 6? Beginning bridge players think that every time you bid a suit, you promise one extra card -- generally an inefficient scheme. Advancing player learn that rebidding a suit suggests 6; with 5 you wait for partner to show delayed support. Experts pay attention to the auction: when rebidding a suit is not forcing and/or takes up lots of bidding room, it should promise 6. When the auction is forcing and/or rebidding the suit takes up little space, it will often be only 5 cards. 3H seems to be the most flexible call if opener will not assume six card length. Otherwise, 3S with a good bidder, or 4C to keep things simple. 3NT would be strictly for masterminders.
The heart bids, of course, do nothing to improve East's hand. East may bid 3NT, ending the auction, or 3S to encourage West to bid 3NT with a partial stopper as on today's hand. 3NT from one side or the other looks like the practical target. East takes the obvious 10 tricks; West makes 11 on a spade lead but North may opt for a safe club lead, aiming to reduce overtricks rather than set the contract.
If West raises clubs, East may go through a cue-bid or 4NT sequence but really may as well blast 6C. 4NT won't tell you who has the Ace of hearts, or will indicate wasted values if the side has all the key cards -- either way, it's hard to see a sensible path to 7C. There's not a good way to show a void in parner's suit.
Cashing an Ace is often best against a slam, but not in a suit the opponents have bid. South leads a spade to partner's suit. East counts 1 spade, 5 diamonds and 5 trumps (assuming a 3-2 split.) Needing another trick, East must ruff two spades in dummy or two hearts in his hand before pulling trumps. Dummy lacks entries to lead hearts, and since North bid spades he won't be over-ruffing, so East wins the first spade, concedes a spade, wins the likely trump return in hand, ruffs a spade (South pitches a diamond), returns to hand with a diamond, ruffs another spade, cashes the King of clubs, and ruffs a heart back to hand to pull the last trump and claim. It's too dangerous to try a diamond after South has pitched twice, although today it would work; East cannot make the slam without a 3-2 trump split so ruffing is less risky than playing another diamond before pulling trumps, though it does risk additional undertricks.
Monster 4054 -- Board 17: East has 20 hcp and a void, but can only count 7 tricks with no help from partner. If the long suit were a major, you might open 2C despite the difficulty of showing this shape, but game in a minor will surely require partner's help and 1D is the best opening bid. West responds 1H, and North might pass but I suspect most will be tempted to overcall in spades. North has no ace, a ratty suit, scattered values, and the terrible shape -- this would be a clear pass at IMPs but odds are slightly better than 50% partner has 3 card support and you won't get hurt very often overcalling at the one level.
East was planning a 2S jump shift over the expected heart response, but jumps to 3C instead after North's overcall. Many players confuse jump shifts and reverses; opener's reverse is a non-jump bid, promising 17+ points and forcing for one round; opener's jump in a new suit (jump shift) is forcing to game, showing 20+ in value. South, of course, has nothing to say.
West has a fit for clubs, but the two Queens are of doubtful value, and West is uncertain whether the hand belongs in clubs, hearts, or notrump. The late, great Al Roth might bid 3D as a "mark-time" bid, but in the real world you'll never convince partner to play in clubs after that. 4C is straightforward, but gives up on 3NT. 3S asks for help to play 3NT, but will wrong-side that contract if East has Axx or such. That leaves 3H -- does that promise 6? Beginning bridge players think that every time you bid a suit, you promise one extra card -- generally an inefficient scheme. Advancing player learn that rebidding a suit suggests 6; with 5 you wait for partner to show delayed support. Experts pay attention to the auction: when rebidding a suit is not forcing and/or takes up lots of bidding room, it should promise 6. When the auction is forcing and/or rebidding the suit takes up little space, it will often be only 5 cards. 3H seems to be the most flexible call if opener will not assume six card length. Otherwise, 3S with a good bidder, or 4C to keep things simple. 3NT would be strictly for masterminders.
The heart bids, of course, do nothing to improve East's hand. East may bid 3NT, ending the auction, or 3S to encourage West to bid 3NT with a partial stopper as on today's hand. 3NT from one side or the other looks like the practical target. East takes the obvious 10 tricks; West makes 11 on a spade lead but North may opt for a safe club lead, aiming to reduce overtricks rather than set the contract.
If West raises clubs, East may go through a cue-bid or 4NT sequence but really may as well blast 6C. 4NT won't tell you who has the Ace of hearts, or will indicate wasted values if the side has all the key cards -- either way, it's hard to see a sensible path to 7C. There's not a good way to show a void in parner's suit.
Cashing an Ace is often best against a slam, but not in a suit the opponents have bid. South leads a spade to partner's suit. East counts 1 spade, 5 diamonds and 5 trumps (assuming a 3-2 split.) Needing another trick, East must ruff two spades in dummy or two hearts in his hand before pulling trumps. Dummy lacks entries to lead hearts, and since North bid spades he won't be over-ruffing, so East wins the first spade, concedes a spade, wins the likely trump return in hand, ruffs a spade (South pitches a diamond), returns to hand with a diamond, ruffs another spade, cashes the King of clubs, and ruffs a heart back to hand to pull the last trump and claim. It's too dangerous to try a diamond after South has pitched twice, although today it would work; East cannot make the slam without a 3-2 trump split so ruffing is less risky than playing another diamond before pulling trumps, though it does risk additional undertricks.
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