This conundrum was written by NICOLAS LHUISSIER and was originally published in the magazine Bridgerama+ No. 69 - you can find out all about it further down the page.
Variations on a hand
4. What do you bid as West?
5. What do you bid as West?
6. What do you bid as West?
Click here to reveal the answer
3♣: In theory, this natural bid shows five Clubs. But with a small singleton in Diamonds, it is legitimate to worry about a stopper in that suit. After all, you would make slam in Clubs while you go down in 3 No-Trumps with a hand like ♠A5 ♥AK9 ♦J87 ♣QJ652 opposite!
4♥: East’s Double shows good opening values and three Spades. You very probably have a Club fit because, given your opponents’ bidding, East is likely to be void in Hearts. It is quite possible that you have twelve tricks in a Club slam! You could bid 4♣, but you can legitimately be afraid that East may pass. Opt for a cue-bid. I admit that it is a bit nebulous, but it clearly expresses slam ambitions and you can bid Clubs at your next turn.
7♣: Even if partner does not have the King of Hearts, the grand slam in Clubs is an excellent bet! East, who has shown a two-suiter in the minors, does not have more than four cards in the majors. Any possible Heart losers will therefore be discarded on your Spades! As for his small Diamonds, most of the time you can ruff them without much trouble.
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First one I was torn between 3c and 3nt. Ended up going with 3nt remembering the saying stoppers are for children and I was afraid 3c implied a problem in one of the majors.
Second one I passed. Partner has a void so might be doubling with less.
3rd one I bid 7 for exactly the reasons stated. Partner is looking for slam with every key. We have the KQ of spades, which will provide 3 spade tricks to pitch any heart losers. Our stiff diamond allows us to ruff any diamonds to set up the suit.
First one I was torn between 3c and 3nt. Ended up going with 3nt remembering the saying stoppers are for children and I was afraid 3c implied a problem in one of the majors.
Second one I passed. Partner has a void so might be doubling with less.
3rd one I bid 7 for exactly the reasons stated. Partner is looking for slam with every key. We have the KQ of spades, which will provide 3 spade tricks to pitch any heart losers. Our stiff diamond allows us to ruff any diamonds to set up the suit.