Article 7A02 (1991) by Richard Pavlicek

Slam Bidding Gadgetry

This deal is from the Swiss team event at the recent Fort Lauderdale Sectional. My son Rich was North and I was South, and we reached a good slam that was missed at the other table. The bidding made use of three effective slam gadgets: a splinter bid, key-card Blackwood, and a follow-up to ask for the queen of trumps.

6 by South

None Vul
A Q J 3
A K 8 7 2
3
A 10 3
9 6 5
J 9 3
Q 8 6 5 4
8 2 [W - E] K
Q 6 5 4
K 9 7 2
Q 9 6 5
Lead: 5 10 8 7 4 2
10
A J 10
K J 7 4

West

Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass North
1
4
5
5 NT East
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass South
1
4 NT
5
6

Rich’s unusual jump to 4 showed a singleton or void in diamonds and four-card spade support. Despite my topless spade suit, I sensed the good fit and bid 4 NT (key-card Blackwood); Rich answered 5 showing zero or three key cards (obviously three). Still concerned about the weak trumps, I next bid 5 to ask for the spade queen; 5 NT confirmed this card and also showed the K in our methods, so we reached the slam. (Without the spade queen Rich would bid 5 and I would pass.)

West led the 5 to the king, ace; then a spade was led to the jack and king. The diamond return ruffed out the queen; then the A was cashed to reveal it would have been better (though illogical) to cash it first. Next came the A; heart ruff (with 10); spade to jack, then hearts were continued to establish the long heart. This provided 12 tricks without needing to guess clubs.

Return to Main

None Vul	A Q J 3 A K 8 7 2 3 A 10 3
9 6 5 J 9 3 Q 8 6 5 4 8 2		K Q 6 5 4 K 9 7 2 Q 9 6 5
Lead: 5	10 8 7 4 2 10 A J 10 K J 7 4