[Cascade]

Scoring: IMP

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West North East South

 -     1♥    Pass  2♣
 3♠    Dbl   Pass   ...


Our auction started like this. How would you continue?

The double shows extra values and is directional asking since 2♣ was one round forcing.

Weak no trump four-card major context.

[gnasher]

South is close to just bidding 7♣. Assuming partner has no more than one spade stop and at least a 15-count, the only hands I can think of where the grand slam isn't excellent are Kxx AKQx Kxx xxx and Axx AKQx Qxx xxx.

I think responder should bid 4♦. On this deal, opener will bid 4♥, suggesting playing there, and now responder can bid 7♣. If the hearts aren't solid, opener must have either ♦KQ, or ♦KJ and ♠A.

If, over 4♦, opener bids 5♣, responder can cuebid 5♦, then 5♠ over 5♥. With ♦KQ, opener will bid the grand now.

[mikeh]

In my partnership with Ken Rexford, I would bid 4♠ as 5 Ace Exclusion Keycard.... looking for the Diamond A and any of the A/Ks of the two suits we've bid... and, of course, he responds 5♥ to show 2 keycards and one relevant Queen.

I then bid 6♠ to tell him that we have 13 top tricks in either clubs or hearts, but he is to bid clubs when in doubt (I can correct in the remote chance that I want Ken to get his hands on dummy).... and to invite, via this empathetic advanced Western Cue, the master bid of 7N.

Ken and I are collaborating on a book that focusses upon such everyday, mundane hands. Subscribe early... deposits are encouraged to ensure YOUR copy, signed by both of us in invisible ink.

Edit: For those who prefer less scientific methods, i commend gnasher's pleasingly old-fashioned approach... natural bidding.... quaint.

[rogerclee]

I wouldn't bid 4♥ with the north hand over 4♦ (too good), and so I'd bid 4♠, and after that I would get to only 6♣.

[Cascade]

rogerclee, on May 26 2009, 10:23 AM, said:

I wouldn't bid 4♥ with the north hand over 4♦ (too good), and so I'd bid 4♠, and after that I would get to only 6♣.

I think most of the extra values have been shown by the double. Yes I still consider I am good for my extras but not so good that if partner passed with a misfitting minimum we would be missing something. Remember partner could be some (10)11 HCP.

[JLOL]

rogerclee, on May 25 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

I wouldn't bid 4♥ with the north hand over 4♦ (too good), and so I'd bid 4♠, and after that I would get to only 6♣.

LOL

[kenrexford]

mikeh, on May 25 2009, 05:17 PM, said:

In my partnership with Ken Rexford, I would bid 4♠ as 5 Ace Exclusion Keycard.... looking for the Diamond A and any of the A/Ks of the two suits we've bid... and, of course, he responds 5♥ to show 2 keycards and one relevant Queen.

I then bid 6♠ to tell him that we have 13 top tricks in either clubs or hearts, but he is to bid clubs when in doubt (I can correct in the remote chance that I want Ken to get his hands on dummy).... and to invite, via this empathetic advanced Western Cue, the master bid of 7N.

Ken and I are collaborating on a book that focusses upon such everyday, mundane hands. Subscribe early... deposits are encouraged to ensure YOUR copy, signed by both of us in invisible ink.

Edit: For those who prefer less scientific methods, i commend gnasher's pleasingly old-fashioned approach... natural bidding.... quaint.

Just to clarify for those who want to know more about the Mike-Ken System...

4♣ would have of course been natural; 4♦ would have been a strong heart bid. Hence, 4♠ is unnecessary except as Exclusion. And, with Responder asking, of course the club King should be shown. Like Mike said, very normal stuff so far.

Now, arguably the default here is that Opener should only show the heart Queen, but Mike is essentially right that the response, either way, is 5♥. Again, very practical.

I think, however, Mike missed a step. Might as well bid 5♠. This allows an interesting bid that Mike missed. Opener can bid 5NT to show the spade Ace. Responder jnow can bid 6♦ to inquire about the diamond King, find out he has it (Opener bidding a careful 6NT) and count his tricks -- 6 clubs, 4 hearts, 2 diamonds, and one spade.

6♠, instead, also works, but it is too esoteric. The straight line of 5♠ works just as well, so go for the easier bid for partner, I say.

[benlessard]

ill just bid 4S showing shortness and no problem for trumps (solid clubs or H support). If partner bid 6 ill bid 7 otherwise ill just bid 6.