[pescetom]

MP, EW vulnerable, West on lead

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As Director I found this the most interesting hand in a rather drab national sim, unfortunately it was board 32 meaning nobody actually played it.
It's as good as 27 HCP slams go, but with two "balanced" hands and in the minors.
Our MP field would all have been in their 3NT comfort zone, more or less with reason (on a hearts lead there is only game).
But I was wondering if brave and able souls would have found and made a reasonable slam, here or at least at IMPs.

In another recent thread there was some surprise that I and others would not have opened a problematic hand with AAK.
I would have no doubts whatsoever about opening 1♣ here, with the honours better placed and all those intermediates, and I think when I raise diamonds my partner would kickback ending up in 6♦.

If Dealer was North or East OTOH we would end up in 3NT for sure. Give West a Q more and we might just find 6♣ through our Stayman.

[Cyberyeti]

This is a whale of an AAK with all the intermediates. The slam is not great on a heart lead, it's basically on a 2 way spade finesse which to take the right way and get the disacrd playing in diamonds you need clubs 2-2 although it's great on most other lead although a stiff club could be problematic if ♦A is in the other hand.

We would start 1♣-2♣-2N (min 5♣/4♦)- and I'm not sure we go anywhere.

[DavidKok]

I assume North is bidding something over 1♣ at EW vulnerable. So much for a neat auction.

[pescetom]

DavidKok, on 2022-June-15, 14:19, said:

I assume North is bidding something over 1♣ at EW vulnerable. So much for a neat auction.

Almost never in our neck of the woods. But the world is a wild and various place.
What does your system card say about 1♥ here?

[pescetom]

Cyberyeti, on 2022-June-15, 13:52, said:

The slam is not great on a heart lead, it's basically on a 2 way spade finesse which to take the right way and get the disacrd playing in diamonds you need clubs 2-2 although it's great on most other lead although a stiff club could be problematic if ♦A is in the other hand.

Yes the diamonds slam is far from great on a heart lead.
Not sure I would find the lead as South, unless partner had interfered or had a severe coughing fit and beat his fist on left chest

[DavidKok]

pescetom, on 2022-June-15, 14:34, said:

Almost never in our neck of the woods. But the world is a wild and various place.
What does your system card say about 1♥ here?

This would be aggressive for 1♥ - the system card says that at this vulnerability ♥AQ9xx and out in a (5332) is an overcall and this is clearly weaker. But I'd bid 2♥ without too many concerns. I thought some people might have a way to show two-suiters (I really want 5-5 for that).

[LBengtsson]

I had to smile Both the slam and the 3NT game depend on the position of the ♠Q and which way you decide to finesse, on a ♥lead. I find it funny that most of the field are in the 'comfort zone' contract of 3NT. The best contract (and best 'comfort zone') is 5♣ which cannot be beat, but at MP I can understand why most all the field are in 3NT.

Can I ask a question, pescetom and others also? What bidding reaches 3NT or 6♣, and does that bidding expose the ♥ weakness?
I can not see anyone mention the best gambling MP contract of 6NT which also makes not on a ♥ lead, and your guesswork in the ♠ suit also

Now 6♣ on 27 points with a good double fit (but unusual with balanced hands) I can see, but actually bidding 6NT and making it and 'annoying the opps. big time' at MP with only 27 balanced points. That is for the post mortem LOL!

[Cyberyeti]

LBengtsson, on 2022-June-15, 23:12, said:

I had to smile Both the slam and the 3NT game depend on the position of the ♠Q and which way you decide to finesse, on a ♥lead. I find it funny that most of the field are in the 'comfort zone' contract of 3NT. The best contract (and best 'comfort zone') is 5♣ which cannot be beat, but at MP I can understand why most all the field are in 3NT.

Of course 5♣ can be beat although not on this layout, diamond to the A, diamond ruff, heart, and you're 2 down if you hook the spade the wrong way.

[pescetom]

Cyberyeti, on 2022-June-16, 07:21, said:

Of course 5♣ can be beat although not on this layout, diamond to the A, diamond ruff, heart, and you're 2 down if you hook the spade the wrong way.

And 3NT would still make

[pescetom]

LBengtsson, on 2022-June-15, 23:12, said:

I had to smile Both the slam and the 3NT game depend on the position of the ♠Q and which way you decide to finesse, on a ♥lead. I find it funny that most of the field are in the 'comfort zone' contract of 3NT. The best contract (and best 'comfort zone') is 5♣ which cannot be beat, but at MP I can understand why most all the field are in 3NT.

Can I ask a question, pescetom and others also? What bidding reaches 3NT or 6♣, and does that bidding expose the ♥ weakness?
I can not see anyone mention the best gambling MP contract of 6NT which also makes not on a ♥ lead, and your guesswork in the ♠ suit also

See previous comment about whether 5♣ is the best contract or even better than 3NT at MP.
But I am pleased that you smile about the 3NT comfort zone and MP perversions in general
That was part of my point and in part self-criticism, because I don't get to play much IMPs and of course that distorts your vision.

What bidding reaches 3NT?
I think we would only reach it if N or E was Dealer, in which case it would simply go 1NT - 3NT; p.
That suggests relative shortage in both majors and so a hearts lead will be well above 40%.
I can imagine many pairs reaching 3NT after a 1♣ opening by W, something like 1♣ - 1♦; 2♦ - 2♠; 2NT - 3NT; p.
A hearts lead is even more indicated here.

What bidding reaches 6♣?
For us only if W opens and then it might go:
1♣ - 1♦
2♦ - 4♣
4♥ - 4♠
5♠ - 6♣
p.
That bidding exposes W as 2245 (otherwise he would probably have splintered) and with both major A plus trumps K. He has shown 11 HCP but probably has 12-14 so there is a fair chance of a major Q which would stop E worrying about a hearts lead; in any case after partner's 4♠ (showing only diamonds control), W with 3 keycards and ♠A has no choice but to continue, even with a minimum for his bidding. E knowing we are off ♦A stops and prays.