Jimmy Sez #14

One of the easiest ways to pick up match-points is to bid and make a grand slam.  Bidding is crucial and partnership cooperation is extremely important.  One of the biggest problems is to avoid duplication of values.  My wife and I bid this one in the Sectional Tournament just last weekend.  See if you agree with our bidding.

                                                S- A 9 7 4 2

                                                H- 5 2

                                                D- A Q 7

                   S- 10 8                   C- K Q J              S- 6

                   H- Q J 7 4                                        H- K 10 9 8 6

                   D- J 6 3                                            D- 10 9 8 5 2

                   C- 7 6 4 2              S- K Q J 5 3             C- 9 5

                                                  H- A 3                           

Bidding                            D- K 4

E         S       W      N                 C- A 10 8 3

Pass  1S     Pass  3S!

Pass  4C!   Pass   4D!

Pass  4H!    Pass  4NT

Pass  5C!   Pass  5NT

Pass  6D!   Pass  6H!

Pass  7S     Pass  7NT

As you can see, 7NT is a lay down.  However, what would have happened if I had three clubs instead of four?  In that case we would have had duplication in the club suit and we would only be able to make 6NT.  It was very important that my wife knew that the 4C bid indicated at least a four card suit.  Had I not had another suit I would have bid 3NT.  This bid shows a single suit.  Partner could now only count twelve sure tricks and we would have stopped in either 6S or 6NT.  We play 1S pass 3S forcing.  The next bid by me shows distribution and slam interest.  We show specific kings so 6D shows the diamond king.  6H would have shown the heart king.  Playing Roman Key Card my 5C bid showed 0 or 3 key cards,  that is, aces or trump king.  The 6H bid was checking for the trump queen although it was probably assumed.  Partner was always bidding the grand slam.  The bidding above shows 7NT as the final contract.  In actuality  we ended in 7S as my wife was just glad to have bid the slam.