Jimmy Sez # 22

Sometime you pick up a hand that due to the bidding it is obvious that a slam is possible.  A good partnership will find the correct suit and level.  Look at the bidding and hand below. 

          Bidding                        Lead: Heart Jack

N       E       S       W               

1D     Pass  1S      Pass           

2D     Pass  3C     Pass           

4C     Pass  4S      Pass

4NT   Pass  6D!    Pass

Pass  Pass                              

I was South:

S – A Q 8 7 6 5 2

H - A 4

D – Q 7

C – A 10

After the 1D opening my hand could have slam potential.  1S forces partner to bid 2D.  I bid 3C (new minor forcing).  Partner’s bid of 4C shows partner has six diamonds and at least  four clubs.  I bid four spades hoping partner had at least two in support.  The 4NT bid must be blackwood for clubs if it is control asking therefore I believed it showed a heart control and a desire to play in 4NT.  With my diamond queen and three aces my bid was 6 diamonds.  Here was the hand.  It wasn’t easy but partner played it well.  Note the 6-2 fit plays better than the 7-1 fit.

                                                S- 10

                                                H- K 3

                                                D- A J 10 9 8 4

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

                   H- Q 9 8 6 5                                                 H- J 10 72

                   D- 6 3                                                          D- K 5 2

                   C- J 9                   S- A Q 8 7 6 5 2              C- 8 7 6 4 3

                                                H- A 4

                                                D- Q 7

                                                C- A 10  

Partner took the lead with the heart king and led toward the trump queen which was ducked.  He returned to his ace and got about setting up the spade suit leaving the trump king out.  He used all his side entries as spades broke 4-1. The success of getting to this slam was trust in partners bidding. The 4NT bid is quite illuminating.  Does my interpretation of the bids coincide with your’s?  By the way, if diamonds break 3-2 and spades break 3-2 this contact is much easier to play.