[Miron]

Scoring: IMP

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Our bidding was:
pass - 1♣ - pass - 2♣
pass - 3NT - all

1♣ = 2+♣ (1♦ is 4+♦, 1NT 11-14)
2♣ = 9+, 4+♣
3NT = 15-17, should have all stoppers (majors for sure)

Should one of us bid diferently? The common result was 6NT (we lost 8 IMPs here).

[mikeh]

I prefer to respond 1♦ here: indeed, I cannot imagine raising ♣. We should always get back to ♣ when it is right to do so, and, when it is not, we are ok.

However, the fault (if there is any) was not in the 2♣ response, but in the pass of 3N.

This responding hand is worth more than 16, because of its wealth of controls. I would raise to 4N, which is the bid I would make in response to a strong 1N opening bid.

However, I view this as a minimum hand for the auction, because it lacks a 5 card suit... the 109x of ♦ tip me towards bidding: opposite any honour, there is a good chance that these 2 cards, in combination, may be worth a trick.

As for north, he is on the cusp as well: 16 hcp... right in middle of the range, and he has a lack of aces.

So I would not be greatly upset about missing this slam: it is hardly cold

I am sure the hand would not be posted by you had slam failed: maybe then the post would be by someone else: 'how to stay out of slam'.

[Codo]

You have 32 HCPs, flat shape, no 5 card length, no fit.
Why do you want to be in slam?

With a club fit, 6 Club had been reasonable, so I think, that South should have made another move but give up after he got to know, that there is no fit.

6 NT needs a lot to make, so not bidding slam was better bridge.
You need: Spades 3-3 and 3 Club tricks or four club tricks or 3 Diamond tricks + the Club hook or spades 3-3.

[Free]

South is wrong here imo. Over 2♣ his partner bids a 3NT, showing a non-minimum. With 16hcp, the least you can do is invite slam... North might not accept, but he has his reasons. At least you tried.