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Looking at our hand we will be at least in 6 and want to find Grand. The problem is to choose perfect trumps.
I'm sure that cue 4♠ is the road to nowhere. Look at the most detailed Fred's answer:
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If he jumps to 6♣ over 4♠ I will raise to 7♣ and expect him to make it.
Agree. For the only reason: when partner will jump to 6♣? Having no side controls? Well I see only one hand when he might jump: ♠Axx ♥x ♦QJx ♣AKxxxx. And it gives us cold 7♣.
But with all other hands (at least without ♠A) he'll bid only 5♣!. What else he may bid with these soft values ♠Qxx ♥Jx ♦Qxx ♣AKxxx??
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If partner signs off in 5♣ I will jump to 6♥... This should give him some rights to bid 7, but in reality that is never going to happen.
Agree. It will never happen. Look at the above hand. Will he bid 7? Never 'cause 6♥ jump over 5♣ isn't invitation to 7. Just responder relies on opening of 1♣ and opener has nothing above it. Also opener will take into consideration why partner has chosen this sequense and not another one (5♠ over 5♣ and next 6♥ will really invite 7).
So what's the main idea of this hand? Not mess around with nebuluos cue 4♠ and other slammish bids when you have DIRECT DESCRIPTIVE sequense! We DON'T need cooperation with partner!! We must force him to make the only final decision - to choose trumps!!!
Thus first bid - 5♠, voidwood (we play with an expert partner, not with the random palooka from the local club). If partner shows 1 KC we bid 6♥ as the final contract. If he show 2 ... No, I cant agree with Fred's words:
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...and guess what trump suit to play in at the 7-level if partner shows the AK of clubs (I would guess hearts).
Why to guess if we have partner for that? 6♠! How else good (!) partner can take it? Only as:
"Partner, I have AKQxxx as side suit, semi-fit in clubs (Hxx or Hxxx - don't forget that 1♣ is only 3+) and all controls. Look at your hand and bid 7♣ or 7 in my suit (or 7♦ if you're not sure what's my suit)".
Of course we don't have jack in our suit (wouldn't ask partner to choose - wd just bid our suit). Of course suit is headed with AKQ (grand isn't a gambling, and opener doesn't guarantee high honor in this suit). And partner will prefer 7♥ with ♠Hxxx ♥J ♦Qxx ♣AKxxx as a guard against bad breaks!
Is it so tough reasoning? Don't think so.
And final comment. I don't take this sort of rconsideration:
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6♠ = well, we'd like it to show this hand, asking partner to pick a suit at the 7-level. But we're concerned that it actually should be ... natural. Yes, possibly you would double first then bid spades with spades (certainly at rubber when you are probably playing double as penalties....) but we can't face the pain of playing in our 3-0 fit at the 6-level.
Well, my partner isn't Mrs.Guggenheim so I'm not gonna be Unlucky Expert. Also - no pain, no gain. And finally - if hold on this philosophy you may forget about good but delicate slams.
Dinos1.