[pescetom]

You were dealt this monster on the last board of an otherwise placid pairs tournament... and your partner is a GiB robot refractory to the logic of slam bidding, although you can assume it is your preferred human partner if you (comprehensibly) so prefer: I'm interested in both situations.

MP

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Your call now, and how do you evaluate your chances?

[mike777]

"..a band for people who don't like music or Rock n Roll"
Jack Bruce

[jillybean]

6♣ wtp?

Ok, I'll bite. 2♣. 22+ or 8 playing tricks, I think this qualifies

[Kaitlyn S]

I would hope to convince the opponents that it is their hand and they need to double to protect their score for a major suit game. I open 1C and I am virtually never passing afterwords, though I will respect partner's double of a slam.

[bluenikki]

In one of his problem books, Reese asked what do you bid when dealt thirteen clubs.

While it would be great to reach 7♣ redoubled, said he, you should regard the auction as a success if you were allowed to play clubs at any level.

His suggestion was to open 4♣. Then, maybe, when you bid again, some opponents might think you were saving.

[jillybean]

I’ll revisit 6♣

[DavidKok]

1♣ for me.

[pescetom]

 DavidKok, on 2026-August-16, 23:49, said:

1♣ for me.

West will double and Jillybean in North would go red in the face... I imagine GiB in North would bid 1♠.

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-August-16, 17:14, said:

Ok, I'll bite. 2♣.

Your robot partner will respond 2♦, waiting.

[mw64ahw]

1♣ works for me.

From past experience opening 2♣ on low hcp, high playing trick hands has not been a success. 1♣ is unlikely to be passed and a subsequent jump to 3(xx46 GF)/4♦ should get the message across to a regular partner. Hopefully, the 'bot will make some sensible reply.

[pescetom]

bluenikki, on 2026-August-16, 20:39, said:

In one of his problem books, Reese asked what do you bid when dealt thirteen clubs.

While it would be great to reach 7♣ redoubled, said he, you should regard the auction as a success if you were allowed to play clubs at any level.

All too true, I managed to get doubled but in 7♠.

One can only imagine criticism of GiB by Reese, a master of cutting wit.

Musical digression

Spoiler

mike777, on 2026-August-16, 15:53, said:

"..a band for people who don't like music or Rock n Roll"
Jack Bruce

I could imagine him saying that about Steely Dan, my favourite band in those years.
But 'Money' and even the sublime 'Time' sounded almost too much like Rock n Roll to me.

[pescetom]

I am not certain what would happen with GiB after 1♣, so here is the North hand for keepers of the beast to construct auctions with ((@lorserker is suddenly back and should be finished handing out refunds for crashed GiB, maybe he could lend a hand).
Curious to know what would happen with your human partners, come to that.
West will not bother you again (unless things go really off the rails).

MP

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[jillybean]

mw64ahw, on 2026-August-17, 01:31, said:

1♣ works for me.

From past experience opening 2♣ on low hcp, high playing trick hands has not been a success. 1♣ is unlikely to be passed and a subsequent jump to 3(xx46 GF)/4♦ should get the message across to a regular partner. Hopefully, the 'bot will make some sensible reply.

I don't recall opening a low hcp hand 2♣ but if there is ever one to roll it out, this is it.

Bridge is meant to be fun, isn't it?.

[pescetom]

jillybean, on 2026-August-17, 08:40, said:

I don't recall opening a low hcp hand 2♣ but if there is ever one to roll it out, this is it.

Bridge is meant to be fun, isn't it?.

Yes.

MP

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And so?

(no hurry, I'm off for a f2f tournament with no-longer pickup partner)

[jillybean]

Seeing both hands, I struggle to bid these objectively.
In my methods, North runs out of room after 4♣. Fortunately I opened 6♣

MP

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It sounds like you have found a good partner on the pickup desk - good luck.

[DavidKok]

Are you sure you are fortunate? That doesn't look like a great contract to me. I guess we won't get a club lead from a likely honor though, so then it's good.

[pescetom]

 jillybean, on 2026-August-17, 09:12, said:

Seeing both hands, I struggle to bid these objectively.
In my methods, North runs out of room after 4♣.

MP

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I think most people would take a deep breath and then bid hearts, although I suspect GiB may be capable of repeating spades.

 jillybean, on 2026-August-17, 09:12, said:

It sounds like you have found a good partner on the pickup desk - good luck.

Think I did indeed: first with 71%, despite a couple of misunderstandings.
We even shared a convention card, so I guess it's an official summer time flirt now. Pity he lives so far away.
Cynics about my bidding might suggest it was because I had no points on the vast majority of boards

[pescetom]

 DavidKok, on 2026-August-17, 09:35, said:

Are you sure you are fortunate? That doesn't look like a great contract to me. I guess we won't get a club lead from a likely honor though, so then it's good.

I think 6♣ would get a ♠K lead.

[mike777]

[quote name='pescetom' timestamp='1787003494' post='1094943']


MP

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Think I did indeed: first with 71%, despite a couple of misunderstandings.
We even shared a convention card, so I guess it's an official summer time flirt now. Pity he lives so far away.
-----

Sunshine of Your Love

Written by...

[thepossum]

Not readiing the thread yet
With a human I bid 2 clubs
With a robot 1 club
I will now read and catch up with the second bid

I think then I just keep bidding clubs but may miss out