Bidding at out table p/p/2D(Benjy)/2S/p/p/3NT  end

 

 

Have you ever held a 28 count? I am not sure that I have. That's what South held on board 21.

 

At our table, it was opened with a Benjamin 2D showing 23+ points. Georgia tried to get in the way with 2S, North and East passed and South  closed proceedings with 3NT. It needs the lead of the AS to stop declarer winning all 13 tricks, 6 in diamonds, 5 in clubs and the AK of hearts. We were fortunate that our declarer lost her way a little and lost a trick to the SA. As long as the diamonds do not break 4-0 all the tricks are guaranteed by cashing the top diamonds, entering dummy with the queen of clubs to cash the other 3 diamonds, discarding the small heart and KQ of spades. Then cash the jack of clubs before entering hand with a top heart to claim the rest.

 

So now that we know that slam in diamonds or no-trumps is cold how do we bid it? I am pleased to say that 7 pairs out of 15 managed it with the top going to those in 6NT.  One pair must have bid something like this;  2C=game forcing - 2D=negative - 3C=natural - pass - sorry! That scored zero match points The pair in 5 of a minor only scored 2 - they should have remembered that 5 of a minor is rarely good at pairs and bid on to the six level.

 

So how to bid?   South opens with the strongest opener 2C (or 2D in Benjamin) and North makes a negative. If South rebids 3NT suggesting 25-26 balanced it is reasonable for North to pass as a slam would need an excellent diamond fit and good controls. If North were to move forward what is the correct bid? We would play transfers so 4D would show hearts, not much use on this hand - we'd have to pass.

 

In my opinion South is too strong to rebid 3NT so should choose 3C which is forcing to game. What does North bid? Imagine that South held xxx/xxxx/xxxx/xx or similar. He can't pass so we use the next suit (3D here) to say that I have very little or less ( a second negative). Over that North would bid 3NT. With that agreement North cannot bid 3D as natural, which is unfortunate this time, and must find something else with 5 points including the valuable QJ of clubs. Raising clubs is weird and bidding 3 of a major should be at least a 4 card suit and preferably 5. So that leaves 3NT which suggests diamond length as it denies a major or a good club fit. Now North knows of a few points - say 5-7 and can raise to 6NT for a very good score.

 

If North decided that bidding 3NT might wrong side the contract and prefers the strong hand to be declarer he could bid 3 diamonds over 3 clubs showing a second negative. When North bids 3NT he has shown game in his own hand and South with a few points should bid on with either 4 diamonds or 4NT and will get to the slam. This sort of partnership bidding will only work if the 2C opener really has a very strong hand that justifies forcing partner to keep bidding, even with nothing, until game is reached. She certainly had it this time.