[johnu]

GIB partner opened 1NT and I had

♠A2
♥KQJ10654
♦J
♣A93

If I use Gerber and then bid 6♥ after a 1 or 2 ace response, will GIB always pass or could GIB bid 6NT?

[The_Badger]

Not knowing the answer myself I had a look at GIB's convention card, and maybe the easier route is using a Texas transfer of 4♦ followed by RKCB on this hand. But whether GIB will allow you to play in 6♥....mmmm....

[johnu]

The_Badger, on 2017-July-17, 14:20, said:

Not knowing the answer myself I had a look at GIB's convention card, and maybe the easier route is using a Texas transfer of 4♦ followed by RKCB on this hand. But whether GIB will allow you to play in 6♥....mmmm....

I didn't want to risk GIB deciding to bid 6NT so I went the Texas transfer route and went down playing from the GIB side when 6 was cold from my side. Turns out 6NT is also cold from the GIB side, so using Gerber and making slam would have given me enough matchpoints to finish 3rd and win $40 in the latest NABC practice tournament instead of finishing 1 spot out of the money.

[steve2005]

I really hate Gerber! I don't think it is fair showing an example where Gerber is better lol.
If you had finished 3rd then Leo who finished 10th would have been pushed out. This does not bode well for mere mortals chances

[jdonn]

GIB will always pass. Although, if it was a matchpoint game, you should consider bidding 6NT yourself on this particular hand.

[johnu]

jdonn, on 2017-July-18, 11:49, said:

GIB will always pass. Although, if it was a matchpoint game, you should consider bidding 6NT yourself on this particular hand.

Thanks for the information.

With a 2 ace response, I probably would have bid 6NT but I didn't have to think about that because the response to RKC showed an ace was missing. Missing an ace, 6NT isn't nearly as good a contract as 6♥ so I decided to take an average plus (LOL) on the board.

[steve2005]

johnu, on 2017-July-18, 18:43, said:

Thanks for the information.

With a 2 ace response, I probably would have bid 6NT but I didn't have to think about that because the response to RKC showed an ace was missing. Missing an ace, 6NT isn't nearly as good a contract as 6♥ so I decided to take an average plus (LOL) on the board.

According to Kit Woolsey's Matchpoints book off an Ace you consider bidding 6N as there might be 12 tricks in either contract. With all aces consider bidding 6M as the major suit could have better play for 7.

[johnu]

steve2005, on 2017-July-19, 11:59, said:

According to Kit Woolsey's Matchpoints book off an Ace you consider bidding 6N as there might be 12 tricks in either contract. With all aces consider bidding 6M as the major suit could have better play for 7.

Double dummy simulations show 6♥ makes in the mid 90% range, 6NT in the high 60% range with the given hand and knowing that partner has exactly a balanced 15 HCP. It's hard to figure the chance of a successful lead.

With all 5 keycards, the chances for 13 tricks in NT is not that much worse than 13 tricks in hearts for this hand.