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.