Posted 2008-January-16, 16:02
Opening 1♦ is fine. While I have nothing against a 1NT opening with two doubletons, this hand has very concentrated values in the two suits and is also borderline too strong for 1NT.
2♣ is fine.
Over 1♦-2♣, I like a 2♥ rebid. This is a reverse and should show extra values. It shows the two suits (after all the reason not to open 1NT was the two suits) and also establishes a game force (because partner made a 2/1 bid and opener showed extras). This shows essentially exactly the south hand and makes follow-ups easier because the auction is now forced to game (presumably 1♦-2♣-2♦-2NT/3♣ would not be forcing).
Back to the actual auction, I'm not very fond of the 3NT bid. You could easily be off the entire heart suit; give south something like ♠Qxx ♥x ♦AKJxxx ♣Qxx and there is no obvious reasno to bid over 3NT but you'll be set on a heart lead with 6♣ cold. Of course, north has a problem assuming that 3♣/2NT would be NF (a problem south could've solved by reversing). Nonetheless I like a 2♠ bid here, showing spade values and enough for game. Obviously this could be a four-card spade suit, but what can you do? Over this south will try 2NT (extras, heart stopper) and north can rebid 3♣ to complete his pattern. This might get you to the good 6♣ contract.
My preference would be something like:
1♦ - 2♣
2♥(1) - 2NT(2)
3NT(3) - 4♣(4)
Some cuebids... 6♣
(1) 4+♥, longer diamonds, 15+ hcp
(2) Forcing because 2♥ forced to game
(3) Not much more to say, no sixth diamond, no three-card club fit
(4) Worth one more shot with a prime 15 hcp opposite 15+
.... south cooperates with prime values and the club doubleton
.... slam is on a 3-2 club break; not wonderful but should be over 50%
Obviously you are lucky to have "missed" the good slam here, as it fails on 4-1 clubs barring some very clever (i.e. double-dummy) play.
Adam W. Meyerson
a.k.a. Appeal Without Merit