[Trumpace]

You hold QJx, AKJxx, _, AQxxx

Partner is dealer and opens with a gambling 3NT (a long running minor).

RHO passes.

What do you bid?

Take whatever vul you want to take into account.

[MickyB]

5♦ seems about right.

[mr1303]

I agree, you may be lucky and find partner has an entry, but you shouldn't assume this, since he invariably won't if you need him to have one. It's S*d's Law...

[Walddk]

We want to declare the hand due to the ♣AQ tenace, so 5♦ must be the bid. We may miss a slam if partner is allowed to have a queen (♥Q), but even so he also needs to have a singleton spade .... and a solid suit opposite a void!

All this is too much to ask for. I wouldn't be surprised at all if 5♦ is too high. We could easily lose 2 clubs and a diamond, and even if the diamonds are solid, they may be able to negotiate a club ruff.

However, 5♦ must be the practical bid. I have too much for signing off via 4♣.

[pclayton]

I'll start with 4♣. Over 4♦ I'll try 4♥....

Perhaps this action should request some heart support otherwise I'd bid 4♥ directly. Have never seen the idea although I think it makes sense.

[han]

Interesting idea Phil.

I won't torture partner with this, besides, even if partner understands it "correctly" you will wrongside the likely 5D contract. A further problem is that partner may have 3-card heart support and still no entry for you to enjoy the diamonds.

I'd bid 5D, but I think that this is more likely to go down then that we have a slam.

[whereagles]

5♦ if I feel conservative.
6♦ if I need points.
4♦ asking for singleton if I feel scientific.

[mikeh]

pclayton, on Nov 29 2005, 05:37 PM, said:

I'll start with 4♣. Over 4♦ I'll try 4♥....

Perhaps this action should request some heart support otherwise I'd bid 4♥ directly. Have never seen the idea although I think it makes sense.

Just remember to say thank you when partner, having mulled over your 4♥ bid, shrugs and passes and tables xx void AKQJxxxx xxx

Yes, I know that that should not happen, but partners (bless them, Lord) do not always think like we do.

5♦ is the logical bid. So 5♦ is what I would bid (the two statements are not redundant, alas)

[Free]

4♦, asking for a shortness. Depending on the responses, I'll choose between 5♦, 4♠ (if p responds 4♥ showing shortness ♠, I have kickback RKC with this bid) or 6♦/♥ depending on the mood.

[HeartA]

Jlall, on Nov 29 2005, 06:26 PM, said:

I like to use 4D as a shortness ask over 3N. Anyways, I will bid 5D.

Even if pd had ♠ shortness? I agree with Roland this time, a direct 5♦.

[joker_gib]

5♦ seems logical.

Alain

[Gerben42]

We must play in ♦, not NT. Otherwise no way to get to partner's hand.

Also, I want the lead to come to me.

Third, I think we might make 5♦. I'll bid that.

[Flame]

5♦ and will not be surprise if it goes down.
playing mp if 4♦ is to play i'll bid it, especially non vul.

[kenrexford]

4D for shortness. My hope is to find x-xx-AKQJxxx-xxx. On this layout, I take ten top tricks, plus two more on many occasions. It still right-side's the contract, and it is sexier. I like sexy auctions.

[Fluffy]

If vulnerable I'll bid 5♦ (Expect partner to have 8 card suit).

Not vulnerable 4♣.

[Walddk]

kenrexford, on Nov 30 2005, 11:45 AM, said:

4D for shortness. My hope is to find x-xx-AKQJxxx-xxx. On this layout, I take ten top tricks, plus two more on many occasions. It still right-side's the contract, and it is sexier. I like sexy auctions.

Very sexy indeed. Now, you find partner with a singleton spade, fine; how do you ask if his suit is solid opposite a void?

Roland

[FrancesHinden]

I was about to say that if partner has genuinely promised a solid suit (i.e. AKQJ and preferably the 10) I would ask for singleton with 4D and bid a slam opposite spade shortage. But then I stopped and thought about the play. Suppose partner has solid diamonds, a spade shortage and not the queen of hearts.

x
xx(x)
AKQJxxx
xx(x)

to make 6D you need diamonds 4-2 or 3-3 to start with.

The problem you have is how to draw trumps. On the lead of a singleton in either rounded suit you are in danger of conceding a ruff before you can get to dummy, or of conceding a trump promotion.

If partner has a trebleton heart you will need hearts 3-2 with the queen onside.
If partner has a trebleton club it is a bit better but still poor.

Many people think AKQ109xx is good enough for a 3NT opening (I don't), in which case I don't bother with all that thinking but just bid 5D.

[mila85]

4♦ ask shortness and if partner responds spades 4nt which ask length.

If partner has ideal hand (short spades and 8♦) and didn't forget this never used convention I will find nice 6♦ which goes down because neither finesse works:)

[Al_U_Card]

Science is wonderful and sometimes the "value" bid is just right. 5D and wait for a "happy" lead that produces 12 tricks.