[SimonFa]

IMPs, R v W, 2/1

♠AK76542 ♥97 ♦KQJ5 ♣void
1♣ (P) 1♠ (P)
1N (P) ?

At the table I did seriously think about a slam as all partner needed was xx AKxx Axx xxxx but bailed out because it seemed so improbable.

I see no point in using a spoiler because you've probably guessed that partner had the perfect hand (why else would I be posting ) and 13 tricks duly rolled in on split spades and a diamond lead.

So would anyone seriously go looking for a slam and if so how?

The lazy option, which I took, was to bid a direct 4♠.

[eagles123]

I think we at least have to make a try, kinda depends on methods would 4c be a splinter for spades for example? if not maybe we start with some kinda checkback and then set spades?

[mike777]

I like 3s here if that set trumps and is a slam try. (XYZ)

[1eyedjack]

If the granny makes opposite the perfect hand, perhaps you should at least be exploring 6.

[akwoo]

Usually, playing XYZ or 2-way NMF, 3♠ sets spades as trump with a 1-suiter and asks partner to evaluate their hand for slam and cue.

I think 3♠ followed by 5♣ should get the message across.

[karlson]

I think it's clear to try for slam. Moreover, I think we should at least consider getting to diamonds. So I'd start with 2♦.

[Jinksy]

What methods do you play? It's a nice hand for something like 2-way checkback, which lets you explore a ♠ and ♦ fit at leisure.

[ggwhiz]

We play Kantar 2♣ here instead of nmf. 2♦/♥/♠ are generic responses but it is at least invitational and we have a whole schedule of super accepts with or without 3 spades.

I can ask and then bail at no cost if I don't like the answer .

[rmnka447]

There are hands where partner might rebid 1 NT with a stiff ♠, but those aren't that common. So you're probably sitting opposite a doubleton minimum which means at least a 9 card spade fit. You also only have a 4 loser hand. There are just too many hands where slam will make to not at least explore for slam. (♥ A, 3 small spades, and another A are enough to make 6 ♠ a good contract.)

[aguahombre]

Well, I wouldn't be as lazy as OP -- but would not get to slam either. Via checkback I would find out at the 2-level that Opener had only two spades and only 11-12 pts. That would end my search for magic.

[helene_t]

Partner has appr. half the points you don't have (12-14 of 27), and since his distribution is about 1/3 of the cards you are missing in each suit, it is about right to give him 50% chance of holding each of the important cards you are missing.

That is four cards, and you need three of them for slam. But ♠Q may not be necesary, and possibly not ♥K either is there could be a finesse against it or the heart losers could go away on the diamonds if he is 3325 (but maybe it is his style to raise on that shape even with ♦A? Anyway, he is is obviously more likely to have two spades than three). Or a heart loser can go away on ♣A, or a ruffing finese in clubs if he has ♣KQ.

So all in all I think it looks pretty good.

[Trump Echo]

The strength for slam in Spades is there. Does partner have an Ace? Does he have a first or second round stop in Hearts? I don't know. His Club Ace would be convenient as I could throw a Heart loser on it. Solution? Right or wrong, I'd blast to slam in Spades. Bidding the Diamonds first might seem obvious but it would also promote a Heart lead.

[nullve]

Maybe

1♣-1♠
1N-2♦¹⁾
2♥²⁾-2♠³⁾
2N⁴⁾-4♣⁵⁾
4♦⁶⁾-4♠⁷⁾
5♥⁸⁾-6♠
P

1) ART GF
2) 4 H
3) 5+ S
4) 2434, most likely
5) Splinter, setting S as trumps
6) cue, liked 4♣
7) no H ctrl, NF
8) cue, good hand in context (even for a hand that liked 4♣)

[ifluffette]

In the same line of thought, You open 1♥ in 3rd seat with
Axx
AJ98x
x
AKxx

Part. LHO You RHO
p p 1♥ p
2♣ p ?

You play reverse Drury.

[phil_20686]

SimonFa, on 2015-October-29, 11:05, said:

IMPs, R v W, 2/1

♠AK76542 ♥97 ♦KQJ5 ♣void
1♣ (P) 1♠ (P)
1N (P) ?

At the table I did seriously think about a slam as all partner needed was xx AKxx Axx xxxx but bailed out because it seemed so improbable.

I see no point in using a spoiler because you've probably guessed that partner had the perfect hand (why else would I be posting ) and 13 tricks duly rolled in on split spades and a diamond lead.

So would anyone seriously go looking for a slam and if so how?

The lazy option, which I took, was to bid a direct 4♠.

Incredibly lazy not to try for slam. It doesnt need a perfect hand at all. xxx KQxx Axx KJxx has 4 wasted points and needs a 3-0 spade break or a unlikely ruff to go off. Quite a lot of system dependence on how you bid. I would at least want a chance to show partner that I had diamonds, so for me that would start with 2D GF checkback, if partner shows 3 spades I am golden, if he shows 5d I am also golden, if he bids hearts I have a tough choice. I'd probably bid 2S and if partner cannot raise, he will bid 2N and I can bid 3d. If partner bids 3N now he will be 2434 most likely, and I will just give up in 4S as now I do need a perfect hand. If he bids 3S Hx or 4d I will cuebid.

ifluffette, on 2015-October-30, 07:23, said:

In the same line of thought, You open 1♥ in 3rd seat with
Axx
AJ98x
x
AKxx

Part. LHO You RHO
p p 1♥ p
2♣ p ?

You play reverse Drury.

Assuming thta 2C was the 3 card heart support, I would just bid 4H now. Slam is a long way off unless partner has a very a typical drury which he might well have bid differently. E.g. x KQx xxx QJTxxx or something. Even v good hands from responder like KQx KQx xxxx Qxx offer you no guarantee, as still would require 3-3 clubs or a otherwise friendly layout.

[Caitlynne]

Yes I would since there are MANY minimum opening hands where slam will be ice cold. To specify just a few:

xxx, KQx, Ax, KJxxx
Qx, Axxx, Ax, QJxxx
Jxx, Axx, xx, AKxxx

and even a minimum hand with club wastage could easily produce slam:

Jxx, Axx, xx, KQJxx

What's more, there are several minimum hands that will produce a grand slam:

Qxx, Axx, Axx, Axxx
xxx, Axx, Axx, Axxx

So, to not try for slam is a very poor decision.

Unless you play weak single jump shift responses or some conventional response that removes 2S from consideration, I think you should have announced your hand's tremendous slam potential immediately with a jump shift of 2S in response to partner's opening bid of 1C.

[ifluffette]

Caitlynne, on 2015-October-30, 07:56, said:

Yes I would since there are MANY minimum opening hands where slam will be ice cold. To specify just a few:

xxx, KQx, Ax, KJxxx
Qx, Axxx, Ax, QJxxx
Jxx, Axx, xx, AKxxx

and even a minimum hand with club wastage could easily produce slam:

Jxx, Axx, xx, KQJxx

What's more, there are several minimum hands that will produce a grand slam:

Qxx, Axx, Axx, Axxx
xxx, Axx, Axx, Axxx

So, to not try for slam is a very poor decision.

Unless you play weak single jump shift responses or some conventional response that removes 2S from consideration, I think you should have announced your hand's tremendous slam potential immediately with a jump shift of 2S in response to partner's opening bid of 1C.

2♠​ wld have been fit-showing jump, showing 5 good spades and a 4 card fit, limit raise.

[ifluffette]

ifluffette, on 2015-October-30, 08:03, said:

2♠​ wld have been fit-showing jump, showing 5 good spades and a 4 card fit, limit raise.

What does it cost to bid 2♦, asking for more information ?

[zillahandp]

Dont play 2/1 but 3d is possible in acol, 2c check back no t great solution, and I can rebid spades over 3nt, over 3h from p i can bid 3s.

This post has been edited by diana_eva: 2015-October-31, 01:31

[PhantomSac]

3 small spades, 5 clubs, and both red aces is an 8 count that is a grand. You have to try for slam, how you do so depends on your methods.