What do I do over 1NT?

Hi Heidi,

What do you suggest South respond to North's 1NT and what would be the rest of the auction?

All vulnerable, West is dealer:

	North ♠J8 ♥AK98 ♦A92 ♣K854
West ♠T963 ♥JT97643 ♦Q7 ♣A		East ♠7542 ♥52 ♦T643 ♣J72
	South ♠AKQ ♥Q ♦KJ85 ♣QT963

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1NT	Pass	???

Heidi's Answer:

I think this can go a few different ways.

Option 1:
South can look at their hand and just say "You know I think we have a slam. But since we don't QUITE have the values (maybe) I should just check for Aces."

If they do that South can bid 4♣ (Gerber) to ask. North will show two Aces and South will bid 6NT.

This is breaking one of the rules about asking for Aces. You are not supposed to do this unless you have first or second round control of all the suits. But you are stuck here and have to take a chance.

Option 2:
If South just wants to invite slam on high card values alone they can bid 4NT. North will "Pass" since they are minimum.

Option 3:
More experienced players have ways to show their distribution but I don't think anyone reading this blog will be able to do that.

Should South be concerned about their singleton Heart?

Ideally "yes" they certainly should be concerned. They have no idea they are not off the cashing Ace and King of ♥.

Is there any way to find out about either one of those cards?

No. I thought not.

The same with the ♣ suit. You could be off the Ace and King of ♣. But again, HOW do you find out?

So in reality don't worry about that -- if it happens, it happens. I'd be more worried I'd missed a slam. That is the big worry for me.

Recommended Auction (which is not really recommended since it does contain some flaws!):

I think that South should just count extra for their extra distribution and ask for Aces. When they find out the partnership is only missing one Ace take a chance on 6NT.

North will have to set up that ♣ suit. If East leads a major or a ♣ it would be easy. They will win a major suit lead in Dummy and play a ♣. West will have to win their A♣ and now North has 12 easy tricks.

On a ♦ lead North will have a harder time since they will probably win the trick in their hand. Who knows what will happen then.

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1NT	Pass	4♣	Pass
4♠	Pass	6NT	Pass
Pass	Pass