| 4NT | ||||
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Double |
What’s your call?
Discussion
For yesterday’s It’s Your Call deal (from Dec. 2008’s Bridge Bulletin), 4NT was named top bid.
When an opponent makes a jump bid over a preempt, that shows a strong hand. North has values and an independent heart suit. Is the ♥K good enough support for slam? The majority or the panel thinks so.
“4NT,” said Jill Meyers. “If partner has two key cards and the ♥Q, I am bidding a grand.”
Grant Baze agreed. “I’m not settling for less than 6♥,” he said.
“4NT,” echoed Kerri Sanborn. “The question is whether this is ace asking or takeout. When partner shows a strong suit, as in this auction, it should be Keycard Blackwood. Had partner’s bid been 3♥, then 4NT would be takeout.”
“4NT is Keycard for hearts,” agreed Steve Robinson. “Partner’s jump to 4♥ is not the same as bidding 4♥ over 3♠, for example.”
“Even players who have practically taken Blackwood off their convention card have to play it here,” agreed Karen Walker. “There is little value in using 4NT as a minor-suit takeout opposite an announced one-suiter.”
Four panelists gave up on bidding 7♥.
“6♥,” said Larry Cohen. “It’s not clear how to reach 7♥. Even if partner shows two key cards and the ♥Q over 4NT, I can’t confidently bid seven. I can’t bid less than 6♥ because partner’s bid shows a good hand. You can’t preempt over a preempt.”
“6♥,” said Peggy and John Sutherlin. “The opponents don’t rate to have any winners outside of their spade suit, so we are not worried about a save. It will be expensive if they do.”
“5NT,” said Barry Rigal. “This is pick a slam. Will I accept clubs if partner bids them? I’m not sure, but because nobody asked me to swear as to what I’d do, I won’t tell you.”
“5NT,” agreed August Boehm. “This is pick a slam, I hope. If partner treats 5NT as the grand slam force, we’ll play 6♥, which might be fine.”
Several panelists think 5NT would be the grand slam force. If partner has the ♥A Q, he’ll bid 7♥ and you are probably off the ♠A.
Two panelists bid 5♦. What are they doing?
“I bid 5♦,” said Allan Falk. “North knows I’m not trying to play 5♦ after he announced an eight-card, self-sufficient heart suit. North will understand that I’m raising hearts. 4NT is tempting, but it won’t tell me what I really need to know: Does North have a minor-suit king and are hearts solid opposite my stiff king?”
Janet and Mel Colchamiro also bid 5♦. “Help!” they exclaimed. “Who knows? 4NT could be right or even a forward-going 5♥. We don’t like double.”
Will North know you have the ♣A, if you bid 5♦?
Two panelists vote for double.
“Double is responsive with high cards, so partner may well pass,” said Kitty and Steve Cooper. “We could easily make six of a minor or even 6♥. If partner bids over our double, we will bid slam. We play that 4NT is Blackwood, and don’t like that call — over partner’s response, we would have to guess what to do.”
The 4♥ bid was descriptive, so North is unlikely to bid again if South doubles.
When partner shows a long, strong suit, the singleton king is good support. Because of this, the majority is willing to move towards slam. Most of the experts take the direct route of asking for key cards.
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