We were North-South. Our involvement was to pass and then concede the claim after we took our trick. Nobody bid this lay-down slam at any table. Is it possible?
Board #20
West dealer
Both sides vulnerable
| | North
♠ 10
♥ 10 6 3
♦ K Q 8 3 2
♣ J 9 3 2
| | West
♠ Q 6 2
♥ J 9 2
♦ J 10 6
♣ K Q 10 5
| | East
♠ A K 9 8 7 5 4 3
♥ 8
♦ A
♣ A 8 6
| | | South
♠ J
♥ A K Q 7 5 4
♦ 9 7 5 4
♣ 7 4
| |
|
| | | | |
| South | West | North | East |
| P | P | 4♠ |
| P | P | P | |
Opening 4♠ with East's hand pretty much precluded any chance of slam. That bid could be made, even at this vulnerability, with a hand that is much weaker than the one that East actually has. West probably would have passed even if he had held the ♥A, the card that guarantees thirteen tricks.
What other approaches might work better?
The first thought is to go slow. Partner might pass 1♠. If he did, a virtually certain game would be missed, but surely that is not a great concern on this hand. There are twenty-five high-card points and twenty-four red cards that are not in East's hand. Surely someone will find a bid.
On this layout, someone definitely will – South. After South's 2♥ overcall, every West in the world will bid 2♠. This is great news for East. If West has three spades, the ♠Q is no longer an issue. I, sitting North, would then pass. Now what?
If East-West are playing standard Help-Suit Game Tries, this is an outstanding time to use one. Two of the three remaining losers are in clubs. 3♣ by East asks West to reevaluate his hand and to give greater weight to honors or shortness in clubs.
If South bids 3♥, East can be pretty sure that he has the ♥A. So, it comes down to clubs. West has exactly what the game try was designed for. He should definitely bid 4♠. Now, East must consider whether it was enough. What are the possibilities?
- KQ(x) is perfect.
- A void or singleton would be fine. Two ruffs are doable.
- KJx would require a finesse, which is around 50-50.
- Kx would be fine.
- Others are less desirable: Kxx, QJ, QJx, Qxx.
I reckon that the odds would be in favor of 6♠ working. I would bid it.
Another possible approach is to emphasize the power of East's hand by opening 2♣. Marty Bergin recommends using these criteria for opening 2♣ with a long suit: (1) at least four quick tricks and (2) no more than four losers. This hand qualifies, but just barely.
Most Souths would bid 2♥ over 2♣. Do you have agreements about what your responses mean in this situation? Let's assume that West and North just pass. East will name his suit. No matter what happens next, it will not be possible for West to show the club holding. The trump suit must be confirmed, and there will not be enough room after that. 2♣ doesn't work on this layout.
Have you heard about the Namyats convention? It is designed for hands like this. The convention sacrifices the preemptive 4♣ and 4♦ bids. In Namyats 4♣ shows a very strong hand with hearts. 4♦ shows a very strong hand with spades. 4♥ and 4♠ openers are always preemptive.
After East opened 4♦, South might try 4♥, but it would not matter a lot. West could bid 4NT asking for key cards. When East shows 0 or 4, West knows it cannot be 0. That would be enough for me to bid 6♠ with West's hand. It might not work, but it feels right to try.
So, I think that there are at least two ways to get to slam. Neither guarantees success, but what do you want for $6 cheap?