[bd71]

Assumed agreements: 2/1, Non-Serious 3N, 1430, cue-bids below game are 1st/2nd round controls, cue-bids above game are only 1st round controls

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Exact hand details aren't relevant, but the key points here are (a) you are very interested in a heart slam, (b) you have two club losers in your hand, (c ) all other suits are controlled.

In this situation, there's obviously a concern that partner has only the ♣K and we could be off the first two to ♣AQ with East.

Questions for the experts:

1. Do you just ignore this and trust that much/most of the time partner will have the ♣A and East is doubling with secondary club honors?

2. After the double, do you have a way to check back w/ partner about whether his club control is the ♣A?

3. Do you have methods to both do #2 AND get partner to play 6N if he only holds the ♣K?

[masse24]

I pass, allowing partner to describe his/her hand. Partner's redouble will show ♣A.

[WesleyC]

There is plenty of room for complex agreements in this spot and I recently read an interesting method in Kit Woolsey's "Kit's Korner" series.

http://bridgewinners...t-little-extra/

In a pickup partnership, masse24's suggestion seems obvious, start with a pass and leave room for partner to clarify. Holding the ♣A they can redouble, holding ♣Q or worst they will sign off and with the ♣K they might even offer NT as an alternative strain.

On a related note: It's common to invert the meanings of 3S/3NT this situation when you're dealing with hearts. I've been using that agreement for a while and think its definitely an improvement.

[PhantomSac]

Since partner is known to not hold shortness and is known to hold the A or K then over pass partner can XX with the ace, sign off with just the K, and bid 4D with the KQ.