Do we DARE? We do! But HOW?

Here is your hand:

♠A9
♥AKQT763
♦-
♣A653

The Opponents are silent during your auction. Partner opens the bidding 1♦. You respond 1♥. Partner rebids 2♣. It is your turn to bid. What is your call?

Hint: Think very carefully as to what cards you REALLY need from Partner to make a slam.

(I hope you didn't think "the Ace of ♦!" -- Sure it would be nice to have but do you REALLY need it?"

Since I'm in an extremely good mood today I will give you links. Some you may need. Some you will not. All contain useful information and one actually contains the answer!

Blackwood:
Lesson: Blackwood -- An Introduction
Lesson: Blackwood -- To Bid or Not to Bid
Lesson: Blackwood or Quantitative?
Lesson: Blackwood -- Asking for Kings
Lesson: Blackwood -- A Summary

Gerber:
Lesson: Gerber - An Introduction
Lesson: Gerber - To Bid or Not to Bid?
Lesson: Gerber or 4NT Quantitative?
Lesson: Gerber -- Asking for Kings
Lesson: Gerber -- A Summary

Trump Suit Asks:
Lesson: Grand Slam Force
Lesson: Trump Suit Quality - 5 of the Major
Lesson: Trump Suit Quality Exercises


Show Answer

What cards do you actually care about?

The only two cards you need from Partner's hand are the K♣ and the Q♣.

Don't believe me? Think about this hand:
♠432
♥4
♦65432
♣KQ42

Now OBVIOUSLY Partner would not open the bidding with the above hand. But what if they did? Here are the two hands together. If trump split 3-2 how many tricks will you take with ♣ as trump?

♠A9
♥AKQT763
♦-
♣A653

♠432
♥4
♦65432
♣KQ42

Baring incredibly bad breaks you should be able to take ALL the tricks. Even with that pathetic hand I gave you. That's because the ONLY two cards you need are the K♣ and the Q♣.

How do you ask? Over 2♠ bid 5NT. Grand Slam Force. Partner will then bid 7♠. (Assuming Partner knows what is going on...)