[mtvesuvius]

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ATB for this auction -- All the bids seem fairly normal to me, I was given this hand by a friend, don't think it's a terrible spot, however as the cards were, it finished a couple down. Would you want to be there?

[karlson]

I understand why some people want to play 4th suit as natural in 2/1 sequences at a lower level, but here it really seems that 3♠ has to be a last probe for 3n -- there is zero chance of a fit and you could easily be stuck. I would just bid a natural 4n if that's an option. But I think even after 3♠-4♥, forcing to slam on the north hand is a lot -- I don't think opener needs the world to bid 3♣ with 6-5 or even 5-5.

Anyway, I'd want to be there, in large part because a diamond lead seems pretty unlikely.

[bucky]

The contract is virtually cold on 3-2 trump break.

[kenrexford]

This looks like a very good spot. If hearts split the expected 3-2, then it takes a diamond lead to cause any problems (otherwise, pull trumps, play three rounds of spades pitching a diamond and a club, and then clubs must play for at most one loser). On a non-diamond lead, you still have time to bring in clubs for no loser with hearts 4-1. With a diamond Ace lead, trumps need to be 3-2. With a small diamond lead, trumps needs to be 3-2 and you need to bring home a diamond winner. All in all, not too bad.

[bucky]

kenrexford, on 2010-October-25, 17:30, said:

This looks like a very good spot. If hearts split the expected 3-2, then it takes a diamond lead to cause any problems (otherwise, pull trumps, play three rounds of spades pitching a diamond and a club, and then clubs must play for at most one loser). On a non-diamond lead, you still have time to bring in clubs for no loser with hearts 4-1. With a diamond Ace lead, trumps need to be 3-2. With a small diamond lead, trumps needs to be 3-2 and you need to bring home a diamond winner. All in all, not too bad.

And the only time a diamond lead causes problem, is when the leader cleverly underleads from the ace.

[karlson]

bucky, on 2010-October-25, 17:33, said:

And the only time a diamond lead causes problem, is when the leader cleverly underleads from the ace.

Or shortness, since you won't be able to draw trumps before taking the ruffing finesse (assuming that's your plan). But I agree it's a fine spot.

[the hog]

What blame? 6H is a good spot; I'd be disappointed not to bid it.

[jdeegan]

6♥, while far from hopeless, looks to me to be less than 50-50 to make. You must have 3-2♥ plus a twelfth trick which can come from ♦(50-50) or a ♣(finesse or drop doubleton queen or a ♣ ruff (need 3-3♣), or even a ♠/♣ squeeze if they leave your ♠ entry alone after you try the ♦, but you can't combine all the chances given most lines of defense.

Imho South ought to rebid a quiet 2♥ at his second turn to keep the bidding slow given his potential minimum (12 HCP) in the face of a very possible misfit. After the 3♣ bid, you can't blame North for bidding 3♠ followed by 4♥. After all, partner has made a high reverse indicating a full king (or equivalent) better than a minimum. South continued his optimistic view of this partial misfit by asking for key cards. Still, the final contract isn't all that bad, esp. if our side needed a board.

[mcphee]

This is not the end of the world slam and has a number of chances assuming they grab the D trick 3-2 trumps should see you home. I like 3C to show extras even playing 2/1 and it is a bit pushy the extra shape argues for 3C directly. N has a super hand and should be thinking slam if 3C shows extras (insisting is more like it). I think S should have continued with 4C and what ever happens we do not know. If the H suit comes in even 6N has play.

[jukmoi]

I "blamed" South since I think 3♣ is a clear overbid. Contract is pretty good though.

[hotShot]

Let those who have not been in worse slams cast the first stone .....

[gwnn]

3♣ is not an overbid. you have 6-5 and a prime 12, definitely worth at least as much as some 5-4 with avg 17

[billw55]

jdeegan, on 2010-October-25, 21:48, said:

6♥, while far from hopeless, looks to me to be less than 50-50 to make. You must have 3-2♥ plus a twelfth trick which can come from ♦(50-50) or a ♣(finesse or drop doubleton queen or a ♣ ruff (need 3-3♣), or even a ♠/♣ squeeze if they leave your ♠ entry alone after you try the ♦, but you can't combine all the chances given most lines of defense.

I think you are overlooking the substantial possibility of a non-diamond opening lead. Then the diamond loser goes away.

[Fluffy]

I don't like 3♣ but that's a style issue, since it led to this wonderful slam I can't blame it. 2♥ would had probably avoided this great contract.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

I have a way to show a minimum 1H open w/no 4s but extra Ht length.
But North with his big hand is still going to "ask" via RKC and reach this fine slam:

North........... South
A K Q x......... x
A x................ K Q x x x x
K J T x x....... x
J x................ A K T x x

.................................... 1H
2D!(GF)......................... 2H! ( minimum w or w/o 4s )
2S!(asks)...................... 2NT! ( no 4s, but may have extra Ht length )
3C!( other minor asks) .... 3H!( 6+h whereas 3NT = only 5h )
4S!/4NT( RKC for Hts)......5H/5S ( 4th step = 2 + hQ )
6H
Now that a natural Sp bid has been avoided,as well as a natural Cl bid,
you may actually get a Sp lead or Cl lead ( or any non-Diam lead )
and thus, be able to discard your losing Diam ! !

[mtvesuvius]

Thanks folks... As well as being a slight ATB problem, I thought it was an interesting rebid problem of 3♣ or 2♥, but I think the hand is just good enough for 3♣.

[bucky]

jdeegan, on 2010-October-25, 21:48, said:

6♥, while far from hopeless, looks to me to be less than 50-50 to make. You must have 3-2♥ plus a twelfth trick which can come from ♦(50-50) or a ♣(finesse or drop doubleton queen or a ♣ ruff (need 3-3♣), or even a ♠/♣ squeeze if they leave your ♠ entry alone after you try the ♦, but you can't combine all the chances given most lines of defense.

On a non-diamond lead, you may survive even 4-1 trump break. On diamond lead, you would be able to guess diamond honor position unless LHO underleads from the ace and RHO holds the Q (or the lead is a singleton diamond). As the possibility of diamond lead is not high, and certainly much lower for underleading DA, I expect this contract to make at least 70% of time.

[the hog]

gwnn, on 2010-October-26, 06:09, said:

3♣ is not an overbid. you have 6-5 and a prime 12, definitely worth at least as much as some 5-4 with avg 17

Perhaps not in the style YOU play. However you cannot make such a generalisation. With my partner, this would be an overbid. Many others play the same way.

[matmat]

the hog, on 2010-October-26, 18:04, said:

Perhaps not in the style YOU play. However you cannot make such a generalisation. With my partner, this would be an overbid. Many others play the same way.

And many others do not play YOUR style.

[whereagles]

if only all my slams were as good as this one...