[mikl_plkcc]

Playing GiB 2/1

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The majority of the field ended up 6♦ or 6NT, all making, causing me a big loss of -7.1 IMP.

Those who bid slam generally went, for example:

1♥ - 6NT

1♥ - 2♣
2♦ - 6♦

1♦ - 2♣
2♦ - 2♠
2NT - 6NT

or bidding 6♦ / 6NT after the use of RKCB showing that 1 keycard is missing, such as

1♥ - 2♣
2♦ - 3♦
4♦ - 4NT
5♦ - 6♦ / 6NT

or

1♥ - 4NT
5♠ - 6NT

Opposite a minimum opener, there may not be 33 HCPs required for a balanced 6NT. How do people know a slam will make, when there were not enough points available and RKCB showed 1 keycard missing?

[smerriman]

The main reason a figure of 33 HCP is provided to beginners is because that ensures you're not missing two aces.

In data from a study by Richard Pavlicek, two balanced hands with 20 HCP opposite 12 HCP can make 6NT 57% of the time. Declarer generally does worse at small slams compared to double dummy, since the opponents won't give away much on a lead and it assumes you'll get all guesses correct. But not *that* much worse. And your diamonds will go nicely with partner's. Just bid it.

[jillybean]

Slam bidding has more to do with shape and fit than points. Of course you can make slam on 2 balanced hands of brute strength.

Can we see both hands please?

[Cyberyeti]

33 HCP is old hat, most of the time 32 or even 31 is enough if there aren't 2 losers.

Partner also might have a little more shape, x, Axxxx, AQxxx, Qx is 12 off the top.

But you can investigate more, you can find out what partner has.

[mycroft]

Not sure why I would hide the most important piece of information partner would use to decide, on two occasions when making a slam try.

2♦ hit gold. ♥J9 is pretty good for non-support of the 5-card suit, too, but 2♦ hit gold. Bid Diamonds, let partner in on the joke?

[fuzzyquack]

You should agree ♦s, and see the partners' reaction. If partner shows source of tricks in ♥s, you may bid 6NT even if both an ace and ♦Q are missing. If partner doesn't want to cooperate in slam try, still you should B-wood in ♦s. After 5♦ response, 5♥ is queen ask, and after 5♠=no queen, 5NT is a signoff.

[P_Marlowe]

mikl_plkcc, on 2025-February-11, 17:16, said:

Playing GiB 2/1

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The majority of the field ended up 6♦ or 6NT, all making, causing me a big loss of -7.1 IMP.

Those who bid slam generally went, for example:
<snip>
1♥ - 2♣
2♦ - 3♦
4♦ - 4NT
5♦ - 6♦ / 6NT
<snip>

If you dont want to blast, which is ok, what is wrong with this auction? you found a fit, why not show it?
As it is you have lots of controls, Aces are undervalued. A bal. 20 count has on av. 6 controls there are 12
controls, you have 7, you have AK combos and so on, you may have a ruffing value, and you may have a 5-4 fit.

4NT is quantitative, p showed with his bidding 12-15, the quant asks if he is max., i.e. you show approx 17-18,
i.e. you are basically hiding a king, besides hiding the fit, which may also improve partners hand.
Playing IMPs, you have no bid fear of ending up in 5D instead of 3NT.
So to repeat, what is wrong with showing the fit.

I think 33 is ok as a guideline.