[mtvesuvius]

Here's a trouble hand I had today:

NV vs V at IMPs with LHO dealing, you hold:

♠ Axx
♥ AQ9xx
♦ AJx
♣ Jx

LHO passes, Partner opens a Gambling 3NT, and RHO passes, do you have enough to investigate slam? Or is this an easy pass?

3NT promises a Long Solid (7+ card) minor. No outside A/K.

[Phil]

Easy pass, assuming pard has no Ace or King outside.

Slam is going to be, at best, on a hook, and we might need a heart split to boot.

[jdonn]

Well do you have a way to ask suit length, for example 4NT? If you do then you might as well use it, as opposite an 8 card suit you're on a hook or better, and even if you need the hook and it's off they might have to lead the right sidesuit. If you don't have a way to ask then pass since anything would be a guess and slam is more likely not there.

[mtvesuvius]

jdonn, on Mar 7 2009, 08:22 PM, said:

Well do you have a way to ask suit length, for example 4NT?

Not that I knew of... However if asked, partner would show 7.

[Hanoi5]

Maybe this calls a singleton/void asking bid, which I believe is 4♦. However many things can be wrong, especially 'cause we don't have a source of tricks except for our hearts, so a pass might be in order if I can't ask about shortness (and maybe even if I can).

[neilkaz]

mtvesuvius, on Mar 7 2009, 07:26 PM, said:

jdonn, on Mar 7 2009, 08:22 PM, said:

Well do you have a way to ask suit length, for example 4NT?

Not that I knew of... However if asked, partner would show 7.

Slam simply has to be a clear underdog then so I just pass.

[mtvesuvius]

I did pass and partner held Q JTx xx AKQTxxx. The K♥ was onside, so it made 7.

[whereagles]

Unless you have a length gadget, pass is very, very obvious. It's the ♥J and TEN that makes slam reasonable, something you could never gauge, not in a million years.

[jdonn]

Gambling 3NT wins again...