[ArtK78]

Here is an unusual question. Can you avoid getting to this poor slam?

12 board match. IMPs converted to VPs.

S deals, no one vul. Uncontested auction.

Both sides got to slam in diamonds for a push. Since the diamonds were 3-2, the ♠K was onside and nothing untoward happened in the rounded suits, the slam was made [In fact, the spades were 3-3, which makes the hand absolutely trivial].

Can you find a way to lose 11 IMPs?

---

[Cyberyeti]

I can avoid this slam by a pessimistic view, but by doing that I would also avoid it if we had the J and 10 of diamonds between the two hands where I might not want to quite so much.

1♠-2♣(not GF 10+)
2N(GF 15+ not always balanced)-3♣(5+♣)
3♦-4♦

now 2 options that give different parts of the puzzle

4♠-5♣(K♣, 4N would be a spade cue, so no K♠)
5♦-P

If N had Q♦ and K♥ he'd probably bid the slam anyway.

or

4♥(KC)-5♣(2 w/o Q♦)
?

This is quite a close decision as to what to bid next.

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Using Zel's treatment when agreement on the 4-level ( 4D here ) , then

a) the next step ( 4H! here ) means bad hand for slam and the next 4 steps are " kickback replies (w/good hand ):
b) 4S! = 0/3
c) 4NT! = 1/4
d) 5C! = 2 - dQ
e) 5D! = 2 + dQ

Sooo,
1S - 2C!
2D - 3D
4D - 4H! = bad hand; eg: don't have a Major A or K and no ♦Q eventho have 2 key cards and some extras ( like the ♣ suit )

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

1S - 2C
2D - 3D
3NT - Pass

looks like a reasonable auction, South has a bit
more than min, but the club shortage wont get him
exited.
North has min, why would he ever want to move beyond
3NT?

With kind regards
Marlowe

[ArtK78]

P_Marlowe, on 2013-February-20, 14:51, said:

Hi,

1S - 2C
2D - 3D
3NT - Pass

looks like a reasonable auction, South has a bit
more than min, but the club shortage wont get him
exited.
North has min, why would he ever want to move beyond
3NT?

With kind regards
Marlowe

I can certainly understand why North would pass 3NT if South bids it over 3♦, but South's 3NT call seems unduly pessimistic with controls in every suit.

But I asked how you could avoid 6♦, and you certainly gave me a way.

[jogs]

P_Marlowe, on 2013-February-20, 14:51, said:

Hi,

1S - 2C
2D - 3D
3NT - Pass

ArtK78, on 2013-February-20, 15:03, said:

I can certainly understand why North would pass 3NT if South bids it over 3♦, but South's 3NT call seems unduly pessimistic with controls in every suit.

But I asked how you could avoid 6♦, and you certainly gave me a way.

Marlowe's auction is very reasonable. After 1♠-2♣
a misfit is very possible. Responder has wasted values
in clubs. Unless responder's clubs are Axxxx, most
of his HCP wont help you. Responder needs KQ of diamonds.
Do you really want to be in a diamond slam with one sure
trump loser?
In nearly 10% of the boards some expert is bidding slam.
Unfortunately in only 5% of the boards is there
a reasonable play for slam.

[Phil]

ArtK78, on 2013-February-20, 15:03, said:

I can certainly understand why North would pass 3NT if South bids it over 3♦, but South's 3NT call seems unduly pessimistic with controls in every suit.

But I asked how you could avoid 6♦, and you certainly gave me a way.

I think 3N is just fine. Our trumps suck, and we have a singleton in partner's first bid suit. Our spade suit doesn't have any texture. If partner cannot move over 3N, I am perfectly happy. I suppose if partner had the ♣J I'd be disappointed about missing 6.

Art, maybe a better approach to this hand is to post your auction and the other table's as an ATB, instead of criticizing a normal auction that Uwe presented.

[benlessard]

In comedy club

1C--2Nt (2245)
3D--3Nt (D rkc--2noQ)
4D--4H (ask kh---no)
4S--4nt (ask kS---no)