[the hog]

inquiry, on Dec 26 2006, 02:12 AM, said:

4NT was a horrible bid. Feel better?

Why was 4NT bad

even if you had two key cards,they could be AD, K of hearts and you are off two cashable spades

When you use RKCB, you need to know where you are going after you hear the response. With two quick losers in spades, you will not know (unless all three are held). In addition, the void in diamonds, means when you hear the keycards, you don't know if one is wasted or not.

A serious 3NT (denying a spade stopper) is just what the doctor ordered here...

1H-3H
3N <<==== slam interest, no spade stopper

Now north can signoff in 4H, end of story. Not playing serious 3NT, cue-bid the club ACE and north will signoff for the same reaosn (no control in spades).

I agree with Ben's comments. 4NT with a void is a silly bid.

[whereagles]

4NT is a textbook example of how NOT to use blackwood: South has wide open spades and a void. Even one of these would be enough to avoid blackood.

[Halo]

Playing naturally I like 4C after 3H to show initially a good second suit. I would expect my auction to go:

1H-3H
4C-4H
Pass

If I felt compelled to go for a slam, I think just bidding six hearts is better than annoying partner with 4NT.