[Mbodell]

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Playing 2/1 without exclusion, what would be your auction?

[Yu18772]

Doesn't look like a great slam - am I missing the point?
1♠-2♥
2♠*-4♦ (splinter, 3 spades)
4♠-Pass/5♦
5♠-Pass

* 3♦ for me shows extra in strength, since I dont intend to play in NT in any case, I will show the 6-5 later, and need to limit my hand now.

[Fluffy]

agree with Yehudit, 4♦+5♦ and north ain´t pleased.

[phil_20686]

1s-2h
2s-4d

should surely keep you in game?

[awm]

My opponents bid:

1♠ - 2♥
2♠ - 3♣
3NT - 4♠
Pass

This seemed like an okay auction; certainly the south hand is pretty well described by the sequence.

[Mbodell]

Anyone like to try 2♣ with South as the first action on the theory that you want to hear the ♣A cue but not shortness cue, and hearts are solid enough as a side suit in case this goes to the likely spade slam?

[awm]

Mbodell, on 2011-November-29, 20:52, said:

Anyone like to try 2♣ with South as the first action on the theory that you want to hear the ♣A cue but not shortness cue, and hearts are solid enough as a side suit in case this goes to the likely spade slam?

No. I'm not expecting to start a control bidding auction early on this hand; I'd prefer to get my shape across either by bidding my suits (like my opponents did, hearts then clubs then spades) or by a second round splinter like Yehudit. Either of these will tell partner to focus on round suit cards (rather than shortage). My concern is that we could pretty easily belong in a heart slam if partner has three of them, since my hearts are so robust and my spade holding so weak. For example, if partner holds ♠Axxxx ♥Jxx ♦AKx ♣Jx we have excellent play for slam in hearts and no play at all for slam in spades. By bidding my suits in the right order, I maximize the chances of finding an alternative suit fit. I also give partner a good description of my shape and the chance to show me six spades (which potentially improve our slam prospects).

[kenrexford]

6♠ is not that bad of a contract. It needs a finesse and nothing silly most of the time. I was worried about diamond pressure, but the opponents must take the club Ace immediately or lose it. So, if a club to the Queen-Ace meets a diamond back to my free hook failing and ruffed, I have four pitches for the remaining diamonds. If the spade hook works, I cross back with hearts to ditch all of my diamonds and then hook again. So, the diamond problem is not very serious.

[rhm]

Rodwell does not recommend rebidding 2♠ with the North hand.
He suggests that 3♦ should show extra strength or extra distribution in 2/1, a good 5 card ♦ suit and a minimum opening is okay.

In fact if the bidding starts

1♠--2♥
2♠--3♥

I would not feel comfortable with the North hand, nor if the minors were exchanged between the 2 hands and I would not have shown a good ♣ suit after

1♠--2♥
2♠--3♦

For this particular pair of hands rebidding 2♠ makes the continuation comfortable.

Rainer Herrmann

[rhm]

Rodwell does not recommend rebidding 2♠ with the North hand.
He suggests that 3♦ should show extra strength or extra distribution in 2/1, a good 5 card ♦ suit and a minimum opening is okay.

In fact if the bidding starts

1♠--2♥
2♠--3♥

I would not feel comfortable with the North hand, nor if the minors were exchanged between the 2 hands and I would not have shown a good ♣ suit after

1♠--2♥
2♠--3♦

For this particular pair of hands rebidding 2♠ makes the continuation comfortable.

Rainer Herrmann

[Fluffy]

Mbodell, on 2011-November-29, 20:52, said:

Anyone like to try 2♣ with South as the first action on the theory that you want to hear the ♣A cue but not shortness cue, and hearts are solid enough as a side suit in case this goes to the likely spade slam?

I think its a very good idea, it precludes 5-3 fits in hearts, but you get the 5-3 club easier instead, and you inmediatelly find 9 card fits in both hearts and clubs. Sadly it won´t let you splinter on the obvious 1♠-2♣-2♦ start, and perhaps this will end with you being unable to show void ever.

awm´s aproach would be better if partner would accuratelly understand the xxx-5-0-5 but I don´t know it its that clear.

[mike777]

1s=2h
2s=4d
4s=p


seems fine.