Posted 2004-January-20, 14:00
Double [10]
5C [4]
6C [3]
6S [5]
5NT [7]
Ok, What is wrong with 6SPADES? It give up not only on possible grandslam, you are laying all your eggs in the basket of SPADES as the best strain. Who nows, 6S may be down while 7H roles home.
What is wrong with 5C and 6C? Partner should assume a diamond fit with a cue-bid here.
5NT - pick a slam is a nice bid, when partner bids 6D you will "correct" to 6Hearts and he will know to pick between the majors. The assumption with this auction is that you will have a fit in one or the other of the majors. Partner without a club control will have a hard time moving towards the grand slam.
So why is nebulous double better? You have a void in partners suit and two clubs. IF partner leaves this double in, he will have likely four clubs (to go along with his diamonds), and the opponents are in a world of hurt. That is, partner will pass when you lack a major suit fit, and 4Cx at equal vulnerability will be a great spot.
Second, after the double, you can know use a forcing cue-bid. For instance, looking at your diamond void, you would not be surprised to hear partner bid 4D or even 5D over the double. Now, after the double, you can pull out the cue-bid and partner will no longer think this shows a fit. A likely auction would be...
1♦-(4♣)-DBL-(Pass);4♦-(pass)-5♣ which serves the purpose of the original 5♣ type bid (forcing and showing slam interest), but now denying ♦ fit (you could have bid 5♣ on last round.
Logic for my votes.. DBL can still get you to either major suit slam, but also gives you the option of 4Cx when it is right. 5NT gets you to "best" major suit slam, but misses 4Cx when misfit exist. 6♠ gives up on both 4♣x and 6♥, and both direct cue-bids just muddy the water as to the strain.
Ben
--Ben--