Open 2 Clubs?

Hi Heidi,

How should North open? Should North bid 2♣ instead of 1♣ so partner would not pass?

All vulnerable, East is dealer:

	North ♠AQJ ♥AT ♦J ♣AKQJ832
West ♠KT742 ♥K97 ♦95432 ♣		East ♠965 ♥J6532 ♦T8 ♣T97
	South ♠83 ♥Q84 ♦AKQ76 ♣654

N	E	S	W
	Pass	Pass	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer:

I think North is strong enough to open 2♣ for sure.

With such a lovely ♦ suit South might even jump to 3♦ showing a nice hand with a good suit. But South with 11 HCP should propel the partnership to at least a small slam. Their Partner opened 2♣ showing the equivalent of 22+ points.

North will bid 4♣ because that is their strong suit.

South will maybe just ask for Aces? They really shouldn't (no first or second round controls of the suits) but they are stuck.

I think it is tough to get to the 7 level and as it turns out 13 tricks relies on the ♠ finesse (which works) because the ♦ suit is blocked. There are no entries to the South hand so North would have to overtake the ♦ and once they do that the suit does not run.

It's tough to play in NT also which is a better contract. North might have no idea South's ♦ suit is so good and South really just has ♦ not the other suits.

Suggested Auction:

N	E	S	W
	Pass	Pass	Pass
2♣	Pass	3♦	Pass
4♣	Pass	4NT	Pass
5♠	Pass	5NT	Pass
6♦	Pass	6NT	Pass
Pass???	Pass

This is no means a perfect auction at all. But South will be thinking SLAM for sure once North opens 2♣. So when they ask for Aces and then Kings they get stuck when North bids 6♦. They are now past the 6♣ slam they wanted to be in. (Which one could argue they should have known.) So they try 6NT. Missing two Kings it is hard to bid to the 7 level.

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

Reverse

Note: This post contains some VERY COMPLICATED BIDDING.

Hi Heidi,

We ran into another hand below that we would appreciate your guidance.

EW vulnerable, North is dealer:

North
♠
♥AK842
♦KQ
♣QJ9765

South
♠KT95
♥Q
♦A62
♣AKT42

With five ♥ and six ♣, should North open with 1♥ or 1♣?

How should NS bid the rest of the auction?

Heidi's Answer:

I like to open my LONGEST suit first unless I am worried I might not get a chance to bid my other suit because I am so weak.

Here I am definately strong enough to show both suits. I am planning on opening 1♣ and, if forced, later on reverse into my ♥ suit.

Normally this shows 17+ HCP but here I am VERY strong distributionally so I don't mind I am a couple of points short.

South will first respond 1♠ and then after North's reverse, game force with 3♣.

North can just raise ♣ and South can start to cue-bid. Once North hears about the A♦ all they care about is the AK♣. Bidding 5NT asks about those. This does involve getting to the 6 level minimum. North must hope that South has at least one of the two top honours.

South will bid 7♣ to say they have them.

Suggested Auction:

Note that this auction involves reverses, cue-bids, Grand Slam Force and a little bit of hoping for the best. You really have to play all of these to get to the grand legitimately.

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♣	Pass	1♠	Pass
2♥	Pass	3♣	Pass
4♣	Pass	4♦	Pass
5NT	Pass	7♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

For more on Reverses check out this link:
Simple Reverses
Reverses Part II
Reverses Part III
Reverses IV - Responding to a Reverse
Reverses V - Responding with FIVE in your Original Major
Reverses VI - Openers rebids when Responder has shown a five card Major
Reverses VII - Responding with SIX in your Original Major or Bidding 3NT

For more on Grand Slam Force check out this link:
Grand Slam Force

Experts Opinion

Hi Heidi,

How do you recommend NS bidding this hand below?

EW vulnerable, West is dealer:

	North ♠AKJ2 ♥J8742 ♦AJ ♣Q6
West ♠9863 ♥AK6 ♦KT92 ♣A9		East ♠75 ♥T953 ♦Q84 ♣J532
	South ♠QT4 ♥Q ♦7653 ♣KT874

N	E	S	W
			1♦
???

Heidi's Answer: Options

What a brutal hand North has to bid! WOW!

I really have no idea what the best bid is -- or even if there is a really good bid.

I can see several options. Here they are:

North can overcall 1♥. This shows a good five card suit. Is North's suit good enough?

North can overcall 1♠. This shows a good five card suit. They only have a four card suit but isn't their four card suit better than their five card suit?

North can overcall 1NT. This shows a balanced hand with 15 to 18 HCP and a ♦ stopper. The hand is a little unbalanced and the stopper isn't great...

North can Double. This would be a Take Out Double asking Partner to bid their LONGEST suit. With only a doubleton ♣ club what will this hand do if (when) Partner bids 2♣?

North can bid 2♦ which is a convention called "Michael's" saying (in this auction) Partner I have five cards in both majors. But this hand only has four ♠...

North can just "Pass" and see what happens. Maybe they can come in again later. But with 16 HCP does one really want to "Pass"?

Heidi's Answer: Auctions with Different Options

Option 1: Overcalling 1♥

East will certainly "Pass".
South has nothing to say and will also "Pass".
Back to West who will also "Pass".
North will play in 1♥.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 2: Overcalling 1♠

East will certainly "Pass".
South can raise their Partner to 2♠ to show about 6 to 10 points and at least three ♠.
The auction will end there. I don't think North will bid anymore since they don't have a five card suit!
North will play in 2♠.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 3: Overcalling 1NT

The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
North will play in 1NT.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 4: Double and "Pass" what Partner bids

Over a Double South will be forced to say their LONGEST SUIT. This will be ♣. What will North now do? In this scenario they will "Pass" The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
South will play in 2♣.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Double	Pass	2♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 5: Double and bid 2♥ if Partner bids 2♣

Over a Double South will be forced to say their LONGEST SUIT. This will be ♣. What will North now do? In this scenario they will bid 2♥. This shows a hand that was TOO STRONG to just overcall 1♥.

(I do not like this auction AT ALL. You should have a MUCH BETTER suit to make this bid!)

However the auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
North will play in 2♥.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Double	Pass	2♣	Pass
2♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 6: Bidding 2♦ (Michaels)

North is showing at least 5-5 in both majors and asking South which major they prefer. South will prefer ♠. The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
South will play in 2♠.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
2♦	Pass	2♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 7: Pass

The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
West will play in 1♦.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

Heidi's Answer: Choices

There is no clear cut "good" bid on this hand.

My choice would probably be to overcall 1NT. I don't mind bidding 1NT with a 5-4-2-2 hand and I don't like Doubling with only an outside two card suit. That tends to be the one Partner ALWAYS picks.

But this hand was so EXTREMELY horrific I decided to ask a bridge group that I am involved in to see what they would bid.

Here are some of their choices of what they would bid and why:

Ottawa Expert #1

I would Double. Worst case is pard bids 2♣. If this happens, I think you are strong enough to bid 2♥. Pard should realize you are looking for the majors and with any luck, you’ll hear her 4-card suit and find a fit.

Ottawa Expert #2

I would bid 1NT - if pard transfers or staymans all is good. If pard passes, it might even make. Even if we go down it might be a good “sac”.

Ottawa Expert #3

I would Double as pard should expect that one is looking for a major suit. If clubs bid I would pass as pard probably has at least 5 clubs. Double also allows pard to bid 1NT with diamonds expecting pard to have majors. 1NT would be second choice but it may very well be passed out. 1♥ is not appealing with such a poor suit.

Ottawa Expert #4

I think you have to bid something. If you pass and there's a preemptive 3 diamonds passed back to you are you going to now double back in?
I think 1NT is best as it allows pard to make an informed decision should your LHO take any action. You might even have a game !!

Ottawa Expert #5

I guess the first question you are asking is should you bid? With 16 high card points it is a definite yes! So, if you are going to bid, what should it be? With 5, 4, 2, 2 I would reject 1NT. I could overcall 1♥, but I may be stumped for a second bid. I would select 2♦, Michaels. Yes, it should be 5-5, but if you wait for the perfect hand every time you would frequently not be bidding. Besides, the 4 card suit is pretty good. Even if pard has just 3 spades and you end up playing there, it is still ok. Sometimes you have to lie a bit, and I think the smallest lie here is 2♦.  

Ottawa Expert #6

When White I overcall 4-card suits with my partner all the time so 1♠ wouldn't be terrible but I prefer length to strength and the AK will take tricks regardless ( A concept another player calls "Ins and Outs"). If LHO passes you might hear 1♠ from partner. If LHO passes and partner passes you aren't missing anything. If LHO bids 2♦ partner might show heart support or bid showing spades.
Also, is a rebid of 2♠ by you a reverse (Overcaller reverses?)? If not then the following auction is playable. You can't leave them in 2♦
(1♦)-1♥-(2♦)-p
(p)-2♠
You don't really want a heart lead agaisnt a suit contract but as Mike Lawrence says, partner needs to be on lead for that to be a problem.
Pass is too timid for my taste. What is your next bid if you pass and LHO bids 3♦?
(1♦)-p-(3♦)-p
(p)-?

Ottawa Expert #7

Of the 4 reasonable options, I would not Double (only 2 clubs), or bid 1♠ (4 card suit) I think both 1♥ and 1NT are very reasonable bids, and either one would be acceptable.  

Ottawa Expert #8

My preference is to double for takeout.
Why - the least of all evils.
If partner bids 2♣ they will often have a 5 card suit since they should always try to bid a major
If they bid a major, I will raise. It should show around 15-16 HCP

Why not other bids:
1. 1NT - with a minimum I prefer at least 1.5 tricks in their suit
2. 1♥ - as you said, a lousy suit and you may lose a ♠ fit
3. 1♠ - a very good suit but now you'll never find the ♥ fit if you have one
4. Pass - cowardice

Ottawa Expert #9

I agree with Ottawa Expert #8. You have a values showing double and to pass is cowardice!!

Ottawa Expert #10

You are right Heidi, this is a brutal hand. I think, like Ottawa Expert #8, I'd Double. You risk missing a 5-3 heart fit but bring in the possibility of a 4 4 spade fit. If, unfortunately, pard has a yarborough with 5 diamonds, hopefully he doesn't have 4 clubs and will bid his 3 card major (which brings the possibility of playing in our 8 card heart fit😁). Maybe my LHO will rescue us by bidding over my double.

Ottawa Expert #11

I love 5 card suits. I would bid 1♥.

Ottawa Expert #12

I like 1NT. It shows your point count and that you have a stopper in the opener's suit. And I'd keep my fingers crossed that Pard has enough points for Stayman.

Ottawa Expert #13

I like 1NT. It is a reasonably valid description of your hand (I would open 1NT in 1st seat). If partner has something in a major you may hear about it and end up in the right major suit strain. You only need a partial diamond stopper from partner to have them double stopped.

Ottawa Expert #14

To me there are two best bids available; it depends on your style which one you choose.
Bid #1: 2♦ Michaels...your 4 card ♠ suit is strong enough to be considered a 5 bagger. Since your partner has not bid, even a game is possible. Playing a Moysian fit in ♠'s is OK too since you have good hand strength.
Bid #2: 1NT shows a 15-18HCP overcall. Since you do not have 5♠, your ♥ suit suit is mediocre and you have a ♥ stopper it tells your partner what your high card strength is and that you have a diamond stopper. With systems on, several different contracts can be reached.
In either case your hand is behind the opening bidder.
Having said all that, my personal preference is Bid #2 since it passes captaincy to your partner and allows your unpassed partner more choice and more information on which to base a decision.

Ottawa Expert #15

I like 1NT as well. Point count is right, and you have a diamond stopper, although I would like it better if I had AJx. If partner bids Stayman, you are away to the races. If partner passes or raises NT, you should still be okay.

Ottawa Expert #16

I would, personally, double: I have more than an average opener and reasonable rebids. Between us, opener and I have at least 29 HCP (West surely will have a “real” opener, so on average, pard has about 5 HCP; on that measure, we’re even strength or better). We can probably make any 2 level bid or at most down 1. I’m prepared to bid 2♥ over 2♣ by partner and passing ops, can pass any one-level major and raise any two level major [showing 8+] to three (inviting). I can also risk leaving in a 1NT response. Against that, Opponents may well be able to make one or even 2♦ with about even HCP. Therefore, it’s either -70/-90 if I don’t bid vs. -50/+90/+110/=140 if I do. Probably.

Yes, there are days when we wind up on the short end at even worse scores – or make games we don’t bid.

Life isn’t perfect. It’s a competitive game.

Ottawa Expert #17

Jerry Helms argues for finding the least bad bid when no option fits perfectly. Between the choices of Double, 1Major, 1NT, or Michaels, I would choose 2♦ and let the blame fly!!

Ottawa Expert #18

I would bid 1NT. It is not perfect but I believe that it better describes my hand than the other options.

Ottawa Expert #19

Double. If Partner bids 2♣ I'll just "Pass".

Ottawa Expert #20

Double.

Ottawa Expert #21

Double.

Ottawa Expert #21

When on my own in such situations - I seek balance between two thoughts - stay flexible; make the smallest lie

In this case I would consider 1♥,1♠ and 1NT as too unilateral - and I'd mis-sort a ♥ into the ♣ suit and Double.

(Heidi's note: Ha Ha! Hard to do the mis-sorting now that we are online and he's giving away all my secrets!)

I think people who 2-suit with 5-4 should be forced to play euchre

(Heidi's note: You can tell us bridge players are snobs...)

RESULT???

Just what is the best contract?

Double Dummy:
N/S can make 2♣ (for 90 points), 2♠ (for 110 points), 1NT (for 90 points) and 1♥ (for 80 points)
E/W will go down 1 trick in 1♦ (to give N/S 100 points)
If N/S get any higher than those levels above they will have to give E/W 50 points for every trick they go down.

So that means (if you want to result):
Bidding either 1♠ or 2♦ (Michaels) give you the best overall result.
Passing turns out to give you the NEXT best result.
Bidding either 1NT or Double gives the next best result.
Finally Doubling and Bidding 2♥ gives the worst result. Which out of all the bids was the one I truely disliked.

Double over 4 Spades?

Hi Heidi,

For the hand below, is bidding a Double a Takeout Double? if so, how to double opponent for penalty? How should North bid the following hand? Should North double for takeout or penalty??

All vulnerable, East is dealer:

	North ♠K7 ♥A85 ♦AK932 ♣K32
West ♠98 ♥Q9 ♦Q754 ♣AQJ87		East ♠AQJT6432 ♥7 ♦T6 ♣T5
	South ♠5 ♥KJT6432 ♦J8 ♣964

N	E	S	W
	4♠	Pass	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer:

Double by North in this auction IS penalty.

You would do this with a balanced 1NT opening bid or perhaps what you feel is four tricks. Four Aces would be an example. Careful not to count an AKQ of another suit for three tricks -- they won't all be cashing in 4♠ if Declarer has a singleton!

So on this hand North has a perfect Double of 4♠!

Hopefully South will "Pass" and 4♠ should go down -- but only by 1 trick.

With such a long ♥ suit South might think of bidding 5♥ (in which case North will "Pass") and 5♥ does make but that might take a bit of fancy footwork -- especially if West leads a ♣! So probably playing in 4♠ Doubled would probably be the best realistic place to play.

If Double is Penalty then how does one make a Take Out Double of 4♠?

After an opening bid of 4♠ one plays 4NT as a Take Out Double of 4♠. You can have all three remaining suits or even just a two suited hand.

Examples:
Hand A
♠
♥AQJ5
♦AK82
♣KQJ86

or perhaps:

Hand B
♠
♥AQJT5
♦AKJ862
♣86

With Hand B if you start with 4NT and Partner bids 5♣ you intend to bid 5♦ to show you had ♦ and ♥.

Would Double of 4♥ also be Penalty?

Most tend to play that as take out but this is up to partnership agreements as to what level you play Take Out Doubles.

So after an opening bid of 4♠ or higher, Doubles are PENALTY.

But if the opening bid is lower than 4♠ the Double is TAKE OUT.

Again discuss with Partner to make sure you have the same agreement!

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

North opened 1♦. South responded with 1♠, then how should North bid? Should North have opened in 2♣??

NS vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠AKQT ♥AKQ ♦QT875 ♣6
West ♠J6 ♥98762 ♦KJ6 ♣AQT		East ♠72 ♥JT53 ♦43 ♣K9874
	South ♠98543 ♥4 ♦A92 ♣J532

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer

When I open up the bidding 2♣ (and I am unbalanced) I am telling Partner "Hey Buddy, my hand is SOOO strong we are going to game no matter how lousy your hand is! So you'd better not pass me below game!"

This hand isn't strong enough to go to game if Partner has nothing. I like the opening bid of 1♦.

But now what? What does North bid over 1♠ to show they have ♠ support and enough to get to a game? Hmmm.

Hey how about just bidding game in ♠? So 4♠.

4♠ in NOT a shut down bid in this auction -- Partner is unlimited. 4♠ is telling Partner -- "Hey, you have six points and four ♠? We've got enough for game!" So North should have four ♠ themselves (for the fit) and about 20 points that together with South's six make enough for a game.

South is very minimum and will "Pass" 4♠. But they should make a game for sure!

(Now some partnerships have a bid called a "Splinter" that they can use on this hand to show a hand strong enough for game with ♠ support and also a singleton ♣. But that's a pretty fancy bid that most players reading this blog do not play.)

The Final Auction

	North ♠AKQT ♥AKQ ♦QT875 ♣6
West ♠J6 ♥98762 ♦KJ6 ♣AQT		East ♠72 ♥JT53 ♦43 ♣K9874
	South ♠98543 ♥4 ♦A92 ♣J532

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

How should NS bid this hand below:

No one vulnerable, W is dealer:

a. Should North be opening with 1♣ and rebidding 3♣ with 7 Clubs but only 14 HCPs?
b. What do you recommend South bid over 3♣?
c. Is 4♣ an option for South to rebid? In general, under what condition would Responder rebid 4♣ in similar auction (Opener bid 1♣ then rebid 3♣)? Would that be a limit bid inviting Opener to go to 5♣ if Opener has a maximum hand? which is how much?

	North ♠84 ♥AK ♦86 ♣AKT9853
West ♠A953 ♥J3 ♦KJ743 ♣42		East ♠KQT7 ♥9875 ♦QT2 ♣J6
	South ♠J62 ♥QT642 ♦A95 ♣Q7

N	E	S	W
1♣	Pass	1♥	Pass
3♣	Pass	???

Heidi's Answer 1a

Should North be opening with 1♣ and rebidding 3♣ with 7 Clubs but only 14 HCPs?

This is an aggressive call by North but they have such a nice hand that I would probably have made the same bid myself.

Rebidding 2♣ can just be such an underbid considering you have all those lovely ♣!

However 3♣ will get you in trouble sometimes for sure. But life is not without risk...

Heidi's Answer 1b

What do you recommend South bid over 3♣?

South has some choices. I think all their bids work out which is nice.

South can bid 3NT. The Opponents can lead a ♠ but since ♠ are splitting nicely they can only take four tricks. N/S can easily take the other nine.

If South was worried about the ♠ suit they could bid 3♦.

Over 3♦ North might bid 3♥ and South will raised to 4♥. You'll only have a 5-2 trump fit but you should be able to take 10 tricks fairly easily.

Even if South rebid 3♥ North will raise to 4♥ which will easily make.

Note that on this hand North bidding 3♣ works out quite well for N/S. If North rebid 2♣ South would probably just "Pass" thinking Partner is just minimum.

Heidi's Answer 1c

Is 4♣ an option for South to rebid? In general, under what condition would Responder respond 4♣ in similar auction (Opener bid 1♣ then rebid 3♣)? Would that be a limit bid inviting Opener to go to 5♣ if Opener has a maximum hand? which is how much?


Playing matchpoints a 4♣ bid is NOT an option on the South hand. This goes by the ever wonderful 3NT that we always always always try to go for.

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

What should South who has 12 HCP but only 1 Spade bid??

NS vulnerable, N is dealer:

	North ♠AKJ863 ♥732 ♦7632 ♣9
West ♠Q742 ♥JT4 ♦AJ8 ♣753		East ♠95 ♥K96 ♦K95 ♣AQT42
	South ♠T ♥AQ85 ♦QT74 ♣KJ86

N	E	S	W
2♠	Double	???

Heidi's Answer

South should be quite happy that E/W want to come into the bidding. Double here is TAKE OUT saying "Partner pick your longest suit!"

Perfect since South wants to play ANYWHERE BUT ♠!

So South should "Pass" quietly and hope the Opponents bid too high. In fact they are in trouble already.

If South totally trusts their Partner's vulnerable 2♠ opening bid they can just "Double" the Opponents in whatever contract they will get themselves too. This should be a PENALTY Double since North opened a weak 2.

It will be a bloodbath.

Think about it. North will get two ♠ tricks at least.

South will get two ♥ tricks.

South will also get two ♣ tricks.

I do not know where the Opponents will end up but they will be in big trouble.

But hopefully the Opponents will learn a valuable lesson about coming into your auction!

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

In the following hand, without knowing if partner has a ♣ control or not, how would North explore game in NT or ♠?

EW vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠KJT96 ♥974 ♦AJ72 ♣3
West ♠AQ5 ♥K852 ♦53 ♣QJ98		East ♠43 ♥J63 ♦964 ♣96542
	South ♠872 ♥AQT ♦KQT8 ♣AKT

N	E	S	W
			Pass
Pass	Pass	1♦	Double
1♠	Pass	2NT	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer

I wouldn't worry about having the ♣ stopper here -- South is showing a strong hand and they should have the ♣ suit stopped.

But North should want to investigate whether or not they have a 5-3 ♠ fit. South could easily have three ♠ and then the partnership has an eight card fit.

How do they ask?

They bid a suit at the 3 level.

North can bid 3♦ IF they KNOW South will bid again. South SHOULD bid again but sometimes Partner passes these forcing bids.

If North is not sure then they can bid 3♣. This is just a FORCING bid -- does NOT show anything in the ♣ suit.

But it does say "Partner I am unblanced. I don't want to play in NT."

Here North should have five ♠. Why else would they be unbalanced?

So South can bid 3♠. They already denied having four ♠ in the auction by bidding 2NT instead of raising ♠. They already guaranteed two ♠ by bidding NT -- they would not bid NT with a singleton ♠. So thisbidding 3♠ now shows three ♠.

North can raise to game in ♠ knowing they have a fit.

Suggested Auction

	North ♠KJT96 ♥974 ♦AJ72 ♣3
West ♠AQ5 ♥K852 ♦53 ♣QJ98		East ♠43 ♥J63 ♦964 ♣96542
	South ♠872 ♥AQT ♦KQT8 ♣AKT

N	E	S	W
			Pass
Pass	Pass	1♦	Double
1♠	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♣ or 3♦	Pass	3♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Question for Heidi

Hi Heidi,

North has one of your favourite hands, 16 HCP balanced hand with 5-card Spades. There is a twist. The RHO (West) has opened 1♥.

a. Should North overcall with a bid of 1♠ or 1NT?

b. North bid 1♠ in our case, how should South respond in this case with balanced hand and three ♠?

c. Would a bid of 1NT by East change South's bid?

NS vulnerable, E is dealer:

	North ♠AK762 ♥AT7 ♦J8 ♣A54
West ♠JT ♥QJ862 ♦K975 ♣KQ		East ♠954 ♥K5 ♦A632 ♣9862
	South ♠Q83 ♥943 ♦QT4 ♣JT73

N	E	S	W
	Pass	Pass	1♥
???

Heidi's Answer 1a

I think overcalling 1♠ or 1NT depends entirely on your style.

I have Aces rather than slow values (Queen's and Jack's) and I like Aces in suit contracts better. So I would probably overcall 1♠.

Both are correct.

Heidi's Answer 1b

I don't like South's hand at all. They are too balanced and have Queen's and Jack's and not very many points at all.

If I had the South hand I would "Pass" my Partner's 1♠ overcall. If Partner was VERY STRONG they would have started with a "Double" to show a hand too good to overcall. So there is NO WAY we have a game with this hand.

I will support Partner later on if the Opponents bid. But I don't need to right now.

Heidi's Answer 1c

Over the 1♠ overcall a bid of 1NT by East would show 6 to 10 HCP PLUS a stopper in the suit the Opponents overcalled. So a guaranteed winner in the ♠ suit. East has the values but no stopper in the ♠ suit so they would have to "Pass" 1♠.

Suggested Auction

	North ♠AK762 ♥AT7 ♦J8 ♣A54
West ♠JT ♥QJ862 ♦K975 ♣KQ		East ♠954 ♥K5 ♦A632 ♣9862
	South ♠Q83 ♥943 ♦QT4 ♣JT73

N	E	S	W
	Pass	Pass	1♥
1♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Here N/S can make 1NT but they also make 2♠. 2♠ will score better than 1NT.

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

How should South, with 9 winning tricks and two singletons, open the bidding? What should North, who has the A♣, respond?

All vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠KJT8 ♥874 ♦7652 ♣A2
West ♠9765432 ♥932 ♦ ♣T73		East ♠A ♥KQJT65 ♦9 ♣KQ864
	South ♠Q ♥A ♦AKQJT843 ♣J95

N	E	S	W
			Pass
Pass	1♥	???

Heidi's Answer

So I take it this is matchpoints. This would make a big difference to me. So I will assume matchpoints when answering the question.

First of all South will NOT be able to open the bidding. East already did that. So now South is overcalling.

What should South overcall?

Here is where it makes the difference. At matchpoints I would try just bidding 3NT.

Crazy with two singletons I know.

But how many tricks will I take when my LHO leads a ♥?

9 at least even if Partner has NOTHING.

That's all I need.

If this were a team game and I wanted to be a little safer I would just bid 5♦ and hope Partner can cover off a couple of losers. Here they do so it all works out.

I think regardless of what South bids -- 3NT or 5♦ -- North will just "Pass". You can make 12 tricks in ♦ on any lead but a ♣ but that's a little lucky.

Do I think East will allow South to play in 3NT? Probably not. Probably East will bid 4♣. Now, as South, I will just bid 5♦.

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

We were N/S and got this hand yesterday:

E/W vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠A852 ♥9862 ♦KJ7 ♣Q3
West ♠T73 ♥743 ♦8 ♣AJT985		East ♠K9 ♥KQJ ♦Q96532 ♣72
	South ♠QJ64 ♥AT5 ♦AT4 ♣K64

Most other table East opened with 1♦, but at our table, East passed the first round then came in at the second round with 2♦:

N	E	S	W
			Pass
Pass	Pass	1♣	Pass
1♥	2♦	???

Question: What should South bid??

Heidi's Answer

Excellent question! South should PASS.

Don't let the Opponents force you into making bids you do not want to make.

Remember South has NO IDEA that North has a strong hand. North could have only 6 points.

South has no fit for North's major so can't support that.

Bidding 2NT shows a strong hand with 18 or 19 HCP.

Bidding 2♠ is a reverse showing a strong hand.

So South can happily PASS knowing that IF North has a strong hand (10+ HCP) they WILL bid again.

West will "Pass".

What will North do?

What they SHOULD do is DOUBLE.

This is NOT a Penalty Double. This is just a Value Showing Double. North is saying "Hey I have some high cards over here and I don't know what to do!"

South can't mess this up.

If they bid either 2♥ or 2♠ or 2NT North will "Pass" and they will take eight tricks.

If South Passes the Value Showing Double then East is playing in 2♦ Doubled.

N/S can take at least 6 tricks and if they defend well will take 7 tricks. That's down 1 or hopefully 2.

If you can get down 2 doubled this is much better than making 2♠.

However I think with the South hand South will probably bid 2NT. They might be worried that their ♦ aren't good enough or long enough to sit for a Double.

North will "Pass" 2NT since they are maximum for the values they have shown.

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

We came across a few hands that we don't know how to bid today:

NS vulnerable, N is dealer:

	North ♠Q762 ♥KQJ ♦ ♣KQJ542
West ♠943 ♥AT32 ♦KQ96 ♣83		East ♠8 ♥986 ♦85432 ♣T976
	South ♠AKJT5 ♥754 ♦AJT7 ♣A

N	E	S	W
1♣	Pass	1♠	Pass
???

Question: What do you suggest North bid to have the partnership explore slam?

Heidi's Answer

North just needs to show their hand. They shouldn't be exploring slam. That's what South should be doing.

Here North has support for South's ♠ suit. They can show support and also show their point count. Since they are Dummy they get Dummy points. That's 5 points for their void. Together with 14 HCP that's enough for a game. They can bid 4♠.

This is NOT a Shut Down bid telling your Partner to STOP BIDDING. Shut Down bids only occur when Partner is limited. Here South is NOT limited in their point count. They could have 6 points, they could have 13 points, they could have 20 points! North does not know.

So North just shows South they have the equivalent of about 20 points. North should let South take it from there.

Here South with 17 HCP will certainly bid again! They will probably try Blackwood and find out they are missing an Ace so will stop in 6♠.

Is it perfect bidding?

No. You are not supposed to bid Blackwood with a useless doubleton. But unless you can cuebid you are pretty much stuck on that hand. Besides Partner must have something for their leap to game.

Even if North bids only 3♠ showing 17 or 18 points, South still has enough to investigate slam by bidding Blackwood.

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

We came across a few hands that we don't know how to bid today:

EW vulnerable, N is dealer:

	North ♠AT832 ♥754 ♦J653 ♣K
West ♠74 ♥KJ ♦QT742 ♣J753		East ♠QJ5 ♥AT832 ♦98 ♣864
	South ♠K96 ♥Q96 ♦AK ♣AQT94

N	E	S	W
Pass	Pass	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	2NT	Pass
???

Question 1: If NS plays Stayman and Jacob Transfer, do they apply to North's next bid? or North's next bid is natural?

Heidi's Answer 1

Stayman and Jacoby Transfer's ONLY apply when Partner has OPENED the bidding some number of NT. You can also use they if Partner OVERCALLED a natural strong NT.

But here South did not open 1NT or 2NT.

Neither Stayman nor Jacoby Tranfers will apply on this auction.



Question 2: How to bid this hand to find out if it is better for NS to play in a ♠ or NT contract?

Heidi's Answer 2

On this hand North will take South out of their NT bid and bid 3♦. This should show an unbalanced hand since they took South out of their NT bid.

(If you play something called checkback Stayman you can do that but most readers will not know what that is!)

Therefore North should have a five card ♠ suit. That is the only way they can be unbalanced.

South can now bid 3♠. They can't have four ♠ or they would have supported North earlier. So South must have three ♠.

North can now bid 4♠.

Major's tend to play better than NT so most people prefer to play in a major suit fit if they can.

Final Auction

	North ♠AT832 ♥754 ♦J653 ♣K
West ♠74 ♥KJ ♦QT742 ♣J753		East ♠QJ5 ♥AT832 ♦98 ♣864
	South ♠K96 ♥Q96 ♦AK ♣AQT94

N	E	S	W
Pass	Pass	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	2NT	Pass
3♦	Pass	3♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

We came across a few hands that we don't know how to bid today:

All non-vulnerable, S is dealer:

	North ♠76543 ♥AT86 ♦J ♣AK6
West ♠QJ8 ♥J7 ♦964 ♣QT952		East ♠KT2 ♥K943 ♦K832 ♣J4
	South ♠A9 ♥Q52 ♦AQT75 ♣873

N	E	S	W
		1♦	Pass
1♠	Pass	2♦	Pass
2♥	Pass	???

Question: With North bidding a new suit, does South has to bid and not Pass? If so, what should they bid? Is there a way for South to ask North to bid NT if they have a ♣ control?

Heidi's Answer

Yes a new suit by Responder is forcing so South does have to bid after North 2♥ bid.

For more information on this click here: How does Responder Force if 1NT has NOT been bid?

They do not have to ask for a ♣ stopper. When they show North they do not have support for any of North's suits, North will bid NT if they have a stopper.

So South is kinda stuck bidding 3♦ right now.

Then North can bid 3NT.

Just a Note

Rather than 2♦, a better rebid by South would be 1NT. I know you don't have the ♣ stopped but you are minimum and balanced. If North raises you to game they likely have something in the ♣ suit. In any case the Opponents are not bidding ♣ so you should be fine.

The bidding then would go:

N	E	S	W
		1♦	Pass
1♠	Pass	1NT	Pass
3♥*	Pass	3NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

This would be the auction if the partnership is playing good old fashioned nothing fancy Standard American. If the partnership was playing something fancy like New Minor Forcing the auction would be different.

* For information on that 3♥ bid click here: How Does Responder Force Over 1NT?

Question for Heidi

Hi Heidi,

In the hand below, South recognized a slam possibility with partner's opening 1NT bid. However, with a singleton Spade, how should South continue to explore slam in this auction? Would you change the plan and the bidding if South's hand is of the same distribution and HCP but the singleton Spade is not an Ace?

All vulnerable, N is dealer:

	North ♠K4 ♥Q965 ♦AQ9 ♣AT43
West ♠J96532 ♥743 ♦T53 ♣5		East ♠QT87 ♥J82 ♦642 ♣QJ2
	South ♠A ♥AKT ♦KJ87 ♣K9876

N	E	S	W
1NT	Pass	???

Heidi's Answer Part 1

This is what South should be thinking:

Hmmmm. Partner opened 1NT. They have at least 15 HCP. I have 18 HCP. We have enough for a small slam.

Partner opened 1NT. They have at most 17 HCP. I have 18 HCP. At most we have 35 HCP. This is not enough for a grand slam.

So no matter what my Partner has we have enough for 6NT and 6NT only.

A major suit would be safer but we don't have a major suit fit. I don't have a five or even a four card major. So I cannot bid Stayman or make a Jacoby Transfer. My bid is 6NT.

Am I worried about my singleton?

Not really. It is the A♠. I should be fine.

The Result?

My recommended auction playing nothing fancy.

N	E	S	W
1NT	Pass	6NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

	North ♠K4 ♥Q965 ♦AQ9 ♣AT43
West ♠J96532 ♥743 ♦T53 ♣5		East ♠QT87 ♥J82 ♦642 ♣QJ2
	South ♠A ♥AKT ♦KJ87 ♣K9876

On this hand North/South can take 12 tricks in NT.

North will try to set up the ♣ suit. They will give East a ♣ trick but can easily take the rest.

Heidi's Answer Part 2

Would you change the plan and the bidding if South's hand is of the same distribution and HCP but the singleton Spade is not an Ace?

Good question. Let's change South's hand to this:

South
♠4
♥AKT
♦KJ87
♣AK876

The experts might be able to explore whether or not you belong in a grand slam in one of the minors or a small slam in the minors rather than NT. You are not an expert. You are going to just bid the same thing (6NT) and hope for the best. After all the only way you will go down is if the Opponents have both the AK♠ and lead a ♠. That would be unlucky.

Question for Heidi

Hi Heidi,

In the hand below, North noticed Partner had just made a reverse and would like to explore a slam. What would be the plan and how to continue the bidding?

EW vulnerable, S is dealer:

	North ♠AJT ♥95 ♦J9 ♣AKQT63
West ♠98643 ♥T7 ♦Q65 ♣952		East ♠K75 ♥J8632 ♦T ♣J874
	South ♠Q2 ♥AKQ4 ♦AK87432 ♣

N	E	S	W
		1♦	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♥	Pass

Heidi's Answer

It is good that North recognized the fact that South's bid IS a reverse. In THIS auction the reverse would be GAME FORCING. This means that, no matter what, neither Opener nor Responder are allowed to "Pass" unless a game is reached.

Are all reverses game forcing?

No. Opener normally needs 17+ HCP to make a reverse and the reverse would not be game forcing if North had responded at the 1 level. But North responded at the 2 level. They have more points.

Since North is promising a good 10 HCP, South only needs 16 HCP to make a reverse. Also their reverse would be game forcing since North responded at the 2 level.

So North can now safely bid 3♣ to show extra length in their suit knowing South will NOT "Pass". They are NOT in game.

South can also safely bid 3♦ knowing North will NOT "Pass". They are NOT in game.

What will North do?

They don't have a fit for either of South's red suits. They DO have a very nice ♣ suit and the ♠ well stopped. They will probably bid either 6NT OR maybe 4NT asking for Aces.

6NT shuts down the auction so I feel North will bid 4NT. When they find out the partnership holds all the Aces they will bid 5NT asking for Kings.

The partnership is off one King so North will settle for 6NT.

The Result?

My recommended auction playing just straight Blackwood -- nothing fancy.

N	E	S	W
		1♦	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♥	Pass
3♣	Pass	3♦	Pass
4NT	Pass	5♥	Pass
5NT	Pass	6♥	Pass
6NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

	North ♠AJT ♥95 ♦J9 ♣AKQT63
West ♠98643 ♥T7 ♦Q65 ♣952		East ♠K75 ♥J8632 ♦T ♣J874
	South ♠Q2 ♥AKQ4 ♦AK87432 ♣

On this hand North/South can take 12 tricks in NT as long as North is playing the hand. East cannot lead ♠ safely.

North will try to set up the ♦ suit since they have more ♦ than ♣. They will give West a ♦ trick but can easily take the rest.

What if we play Roman Keycard Blackwood?

That's a tougher auction to predict.

Playing Keycard Blackwood with no agreed upon suit, 4NT would be keycard on the last suit bid -- Diamonds.

South has three keycards with a void! How do they show that?

I would suggest you forget about showing your club void. Since Partner bid that suit (twice!) your void more than likely is not all that great. It's not going to help Partner set up their suit.

So you would show 3 keycards in whatever way your agreement tells you.

North will now ask for the Q♦ in whatever way your agreement tells you.

South does not have the Q♦ but they do have extra length. Can they show that instead?

Some people with extra lentgh say they have the Queen because they are sure with their extra length the Queen will drop. Here we are not sure if Partner even has Diamonds. I suggest erring on the side of caution and deny having the Q♦.

North will end up in 6NT.

Follow Up Question

If North does not bid 3♣ and goes straight to 4NT Keycard Blackwood what would the assumed trump suit for South to respond to the 4NT Keycard Blackwood be? Is it the last suit South bid, ♥, in this case?

Follow Up Answer

Yes it would be. I don't suggest North doing that. When you have the points go as SLOWLY as the opposition allows you to explore ALL the possibilities. Over 2♥ North has no idea where the contract should be played. They should rebid their suit (♣) just in case South can support them.

Follow Up Question 2

What if North bid 3NT instead of 3♣? Would this jump to 3NT signal to partner that North has at least an opening hand to encourage South to use Gerber to ask for Ace to explore slam, which would allow South to stop the bidding at 4NT or 5NT?

Follow Up Answer 2

3NT is a shut down bid by North. They are saying they have no interest investigating any sort of slam. They shouldn't have a fit for either of South's suits. They should have the black suits stopped but not much else. They should have a MUCH WEAKER hand than they have. They could make this bid with 10 HCP. 3NT is NOT an option with these cards!

Now over 3NT South can always bid 4♦ since they are very strong and very distributional but on the majority of hands South will just pass 3NT. It is a very discouraging bid.

Over 3NT a bid of 4♣ would NOT be Gerber. It would say "I DON'T want to play in NT" and "I have some tolerance for ♣" and certainly at matchpoints I would play it as a slam try. But South would have to be very strong or very distributional to make this bid. North has shown NO INTEREST in any sort of slam by signing off in 3NT. Think of it. They could not support either of South's suits, they could not rebid their suit. They did not look for any other possibilities. They just bid 3NT to play. They have no interest. (This is why North shouldn't make this bid with this hand!)

With these two hands it is up to North to drive this auction further to slam. South has done a good job of showing a distributionally strong hand. They have to trust North to take it further.

Question for Heidi

Hi Heidi,

Do you have any recommendations or guidelines on how to overcall opponent's preemptive opening, particularly when the hand doesn't fit the criteria to do a takeout double? How to indicate to partner that the bidding is competitive versus one round forcing versus game forcing?

As an example, with the hand below, West at some tables opened with 3♠, how should N/S bid?

All non-vulnerable, W is dealer and opened 2♠:

	North ♠AK ♥AJT85 ♦K ♣K8543
West ♠JT87543 ♥94 ♦A7 ♣QT		East ♠62 ♥Q732 ♦Q943 ♣J76
	South ♠Q9 ♥K6 ♦JT8652 ♣A92

N	E	S	W
			2♠
???

Heidi's Answer

The purpose of a preempt is to mess up the opponents. This works most of the time. Works especially well when the preempt is a little less disciplined because now other tables might not be in the same situation.

There really is no way to say to Partner that you are just competing because you yourself have a weak hand with a long suit. Once the Opponents preempt, overcalling shows a nice hand. Jumping to game shows an even stronger hand. (You don't preempt a preempt!)

So you do show values when you overcall after a preempt. What kind of values are we talking?

I would recommend you stretch your bidding a little more when you are distributional. Especially if you have shortness in the opponents suit. Maybe make bids you might be a little uncomfortable with.

Here North has a clear cut 3♥ overcall. If you have ways to show a two suited hand you could also do that. Note that even overcalling 2NT would work on this hand. You won't get to 4♥ but you will get to 3NT and that will make. So as long as North bids things will work out.

Now South has to stretch a little. They have 10 HCP (admittedly the Queen of ♠ isn't worth much) but do not have three card support. Whatever. Just raise partner to 4♥. You've got to take a call. Doubleton honour is good and partner might have a six card suit. If not the 5-2 fit could play just as well.

The Result?

Here 4♥ will make even with a 5-2 fit and a 4-2 trump break.

So make bids you are not entirely comfortable with. Sometimes you get to a good contract. Sometimes you don't and the opponents misdefend. Sometimes you'll go down but the sacrifice will be worth it.

Sure, sometimes you will get a bad board. But learn from the bad boards. Why were they bad? Was it just unlucky? Or should you maybe have had a better suit? Or more distribution? Over time you will develop a better sense of when to come in and when not to come it.

If you get one bad board but three good boards from stretching in the bidding it will be well worth the effort.

Over 3♠?

If West had opened 3♠ what could North have bid? Well they can make whatever bid they want -- 3NT, 4♥ -- and it will work out. South will "Pass" any bid and both contracts make. So as long as North bids things end up magically wonderful!

Question 3

Hi Heidi,

We encountered a number of challenging hands (to us) in bidding lately. Please provide us some insight:

With a bad 4-card major, do you still bid it? Like the following hand, should N respond with 1♠ or 1NT? At the end, would this hand better playing in 3NT or 4♠?

EW vulnerable, E is dealer:

N	E	S	W
	Pass	1♣	Pass
???

	North ♠8732 ♥A73 ♦KQ87 ♣74
West ♠JT ♥J96 ♦432 ♣T9862		East ♠Q64 ♥Q82 ♦J985 ♣AQ3
	South ♠AK95 ♥KT54 ♦AT ♣KJ5

Heidi's Answer

If Partner opens 1♣ and you have 6 to 10 HCP you are supposed to bid a bad four card major before you bid 1NT.

So on this hand North should respond 1♠ before they would bid 1NT.

There are other options though. North can always respond 1♦. This also only shows a four card suit. Normally we ignore a four card minor to bid a four card major however if your major suit is really bad and your minor suit is pretty good you can think about bidding the minor instead -- four card suits up the line and all.

In the end it won't matter.

If North bids 1♠ over 1♣, South will now have to jump to show their big hand. They will bid 3♠.

If instead North bids 1♦ over 1♣, South will bid 1♥. North will bid 1♠ (just a forcing bid -- they don't even need to have ♠ to bid this!).

South will now have to jump to show their big hand. They will bid 3♠.

North will raise to 4♠.

So all roads lead to 4♠ by North.

Which does better? 4♠ or 3NT?

Double Dummy you can take 11 tricks with ♠ as trump.
Since they are not vulnerable they will score 450 points for bidding and making an overtrick in 4♠.

Double Dummy you can take 10 tricks in 3NT.
Since they are not vulnerable they will score 430 points for bidding and making an overtrick in 3NT.

The major suit fit tends to be a safer place to play and does tend to score better most of the time. Try to find major suit fits if you can.

Question 2

Hi Heidi,

We encountered a number of challenging hands (to us) in bidding lately. Please provide us some insight:

I'm not certain how to ask for Aces, use Blackwood or Gerber, when the Club suit was the last bid suit before a NT was bid afterwards. For example:

What should S bid to ask for Aces?

What does bidding of 4C vs 4NT means to N?

How to best bid the following hand? Is the above a good start?

NS vulnerable, N is dealer:

W	N	E	S
	1♦	Pass	2♣
Pass	2NT	Pass	???

	North ♠A84 ♥KQT7 ♦KQ32 ♣92
West ♠K632 ♥52 ♦984 ♣JT87		East ♠JT95 ♥J964 ♦J5 ♣543
	South ♠Q7 ♥A83 ♦AT76 ♣AKQ6

Heidi's Answer

I like the auction so far. North cannot show their four card ♥ suit in the auction because that would create a game force so therefore they must rebid 2NT. But they do have the rest of the suits stopped so 2NT is a fine bid over 2♣. This 2NT bid show a MINIMUM opening hand and South is allowed to "Pass". North has a balanced hand with less than 15 HCP. Perfect.

So what does South do over 2NT?

They have choices:

1) Make a QUANTITATIVE 4NT bid

4NT is this auction says "Partner are you MINIMUM or MAXIMUM for your 2NT bid? With a minimum, "Pass". With a maximum bid 6NT.

The reason why this is quantitative is because the last bid in the auction (2NT) was a natural NT bid with a point count associated with it. In this auction the 2NT bid showed about 12 to 14 HCP. A minimum opening hand for North.

2) Gerber

Since the last bid in the auction (2NT) was a natural NT bid, a jump to 4♣ would be Gerber. Gerber asks "Just how many Aces do you have over there Partner?"

3) Bid 6NT

Partner has an opening bid, South has 19 HCP. There must be a slam!

What do I think of all the different bids South could make?

1) 4NT

I like this bid. Partner could have 12 HCP. I'm too balanced to want to be in a slam with that hand. I want Partner to have either 14 HCP or a really good 13 HCP. This is how I ask.

2) 4♣

I don't really care if Partner has the one Ace I am missing or not. That won't help me at all.

Why does this not help you Heidi? Don't you need to know about a ♠ control before you bid the slam?

If Partner opened with 12 HCP and has the one Ace I am missing I have all four Aces but together we have only 31 HCP between us. We simply won't have enough tricks. Sure we will get four Aces. But that's four tricks only. I need more. I need fillers. With 31 HCP I could be missing two Kings and a Queen. That's not good. There is too much potential to lose two tricks that way.

But if Partner opened with 14 HCP and no Aces we will have 33 HCP and should have enough tricks to make the small slam. Sure the opponents will take their Ace but I should have enough values to take 12 tricks after that. There will be only three points missing. If I am lucky I will be missing three Jacks. Those should drop. If I am unlucky I will be missing a King. Maybe I can finesse it.

As for the Spade control -- assuming Partner will accept with 14 HCP and I have 19 HCP. That means together we have 33 HCP. Partner rates to have a ♠ control. Sure technically we could be off SPECIFICALLY the AK♠ and the Opponents can take two tricks right off the top. But then they have to lead a ♠. They might not know to lead a ♠ if I am so unlucky to be missing those exact specific cards.

It is a bit of a risk but life is not without risk.

3) 6NT

I feel I am just hanging Partner out to dry for opening the bidding if I do this. If Partner opened on 12 HCP we just don't have enough points to make a small slam.

What will North do over 4NT?

North is MAXIMUM for their bid. They have 14 HCP. They will raise 4NT to 6NT. The final contract will be 6NT.

Will 6NT make?

Sadly I don't think North will be able to take 12 tricks in NT. They have 11 easy tricks but no way to get a 12th trick. If East leads a low ♥ then North can duck it around to their Ten of ♥ and get an easy trick that way to make their slam. But East has a nice TOP of SEQUENCE lead -- the J♠. They will probably lead that.

Any lead but a ♥ and North should go down in the slam.