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%HRTitleEvent "BFP B3 L05 Slam Seeking"
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[Event "##BFP B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "1"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "N:AQJT84.AT2.J4.A7 965.Q983.7.QJT85 K32.76.AK9863.K9 7.KJ54.QT52.6432"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

After North’s 3\S rebid South knows that they have a 9-card spade fit and a
minimum of 29 HCPs, so a slam may be possible.

The 4NT and 5NT Blackwood sequences reveal that North has three aces and zero
kings. There is a king missing so South settles for 6\S.}
[Result ""]
{

Win East’s \CQ opening lead with dummy’s \CK. Cash \HA and play a second round
of hearts. 

Get back to hand and ruff the last heart with \SK. 

Draw trumps and claim the remaining tricks.
}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "bc6b5bc6b51171711717"]
[OptimumScore "NS 980"]
[ParContract "NS 6S="]
[Auction "N"]
1S Pass 2D Pass
3S Pass 4NT Pass
5S Pass 5NT Pass
6C Pass 6S AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT 11
N  S 12
N  H  6
N  D 11
N  C  5
S NT 11
S  S 12
S  H  6
S  D 11
S  C  5
E NT  1
E  S  1
E  H  7
E  D  1
E  C  7
W NT  1
W  S  1
W  H  7
W  D  1
W  C  7

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "2"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "E:K7654.Q987.32.A2 J3.532.QJ975.T63 AQ2.AJT4.AK.KQJ9 T98.K6.T864.8754"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

The game force opening bid gets a rare positive response.

The 4NT and 5NT Blackwood sequences reveal that East has one ace and one king.
There is a king missing so West settles for 6NT.}
[Result ""]
{

There are ten top tricks: three in spades, one in hearts, two in diamonds, and
four in clubs. The heart suit will provide either two or three further tricks
depending on the location of \HK.

The heart finesse should be tried early while there are still top cards in the
other suits.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1115111151ccc8cccc8c"]
[OptimumScore "EW 990"]
[ParContract "EW 6N="]
[Auction "E"]
Pass Pass 2C =1= Pass
2S Pass 4NT Pass
5D Pass 5NT Pass
6D Pass 6NT AP
[Note "1:<i> Alerted as Game force</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  1
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  5
N  C  1
S NT  1
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  5
S  C  1
E NT 12
E  S 12
E  H 12
E  D  8
E  C 12
W NT 12
W  S 12
W  H 12
W  D  8
W  C 12

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "3"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "S:A952.J97.A62.K87 QJT3.Q852.84.532 K8.A.KQJT753.AJ4 764.KT643.9.QT96"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

With a great diamond suit and only four losers, North realises that a NT slam
could be on.

4\C Gerber asks about aces: 4\S shows two aces.

5\C Gerber asks about kings: 5\H shows one king.

There is a king missing, so North settles for 6NT.}
[Result ""]
{

There are 12 top tricks but there might be 13 if the club finesse is
successful. Run the diamonds and then try the club finesse while there is still
cover in both hearts and spades.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "c96c9c96c91461314613"]
[OptimumScore "NS 990"]
[ParContract "NS 6N="]
[Auction "S"]
1NT Pass 4C =1= Pass
4S Pass 5C Pass
5H Pass 6NT AP
[Note "1:<i>Alerted as an artificial suit bid in the first round of the auction.</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination;Result"]
W S 4
W H 6
W D 1
W C 3
W N 1
N S 9
N H 6
N D 12
N C 9
N N 12
E S 4
E H 6
E D 1
E C 3
E N 1
S S 9
S H 6
S D 12
S C 9
S N 12

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "4"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "W:A5.QJ82.T95.AQ43 32.6543.43.KT876 KQJT94.A7.AKJ2.2 876.KT9.Q876.J95"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

With an eight-card fit in spades and four losers, East is interested in a spade
slam.

A bid of 4\C Gerber asking for Aces finds the partnership with all four. 5\C
finds two missing Kings. The club suit is covered, but there is likely to be a
heart loser so settle for 6\S.}
[Result ""]
{

After trumps have been cleared in three rounds, 12 tricks can be made by
cashing \HA, then lead \H7 towards \HQJ. Two diamonds can now be discarded on
\HQJ avoiding the losing diamond finesse.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1112511125bcab8cccb8"]
[OptimumScore "EW 1440"]
[ParContract "W 6N="]
[Auction "W"]
1NT Pass 4C =1= Pass
4S Pass 5C Pass
5D Pass 6S AP
[Note "1:<i>Alerted as an artificial suit bid in the first round of the auction</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  1
N  S  1
N  H  1
N  D  2
N  C  5
S NT  1
S  S  1
S  H  1
S  D  2
S  C  5
E NT 11
E  S 12
E  H 10
E  D 11
E  C  8
W NT 12
W  S 12
W  H 12
W  D 11
W  C  8

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "5"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "NS"]
[Deal "N:AKJ9.A2.KQJ9.A75 8.J98763.T87.T83 Q7.KT5.6543.KQJ2 T65432.Q4.A2.964"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

North’s 2NT shows a balanced 20-22 HCPs. South has a balanced 11 HCPs so the
partnership has a combined total of 31-33 HCPs.

South’s 4NT is a quantitative bid inviting 6NT if opener has a maximum 22 HCPs,
otherwise pass.}
[Result ""]
{

There are 10 top tricks: 4 spades, 2 hearts, 4 clubs.

The other two tricks must come from diamonds, so declarer’s first task is to
drive out \DA. 

When that has been done the remaining tricks can be claimed.
}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "ca8bcca8bc1341113411"]
[OptimumScore "NS 1440"]
[ParContract "NS 6N="]
[Auction "N"]
2NT =1= Pass 4NT Pass
6NT AP
[Note "1:<i>Announced as 20-22</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT 12
N  S 10
N  H  8
N  D 11
N  C 12
S NT 12
S  S 10
S  H  8
S  D 11
S  C 12
E NT  1
E  S  3
E  H  4
E  D  1
E  C  1
W NT  1
W  S  3
W  H  4
W  D  1
W  C  1

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "6"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "E:K54.T4.AQ864.A92 2.875.KT975.QJ53 AQJT76.AK2.3.K76 983.QJ963.J2.T84"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

After East’s 1NT opening bid West knows that they have at least an 8-card spade
fit and a minimum of 29 HCPs, so a slam may be possible.

The 4\C and 5\C Gerber sequences reveal that East has two aces and one king.
With a king missing West settles for 6\S.}
[Result ""]
{

South’s best opening lead is \CQ.\n
Declarer wins the trick with \CK, cashes \HAK and ruffs \H2 with dummy’s \SK.

Draw the trumps. It does no harm to try the diamond finesse now. It fails but
the remaining tricks are all won to make the contract.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "2155321553bc88abc88a"]
[OptimumScore "EW 1430"]
[ParContract "EW 6S="]
[Auction "E"]
1NT Pass 4C =1= Pass
4S Pass 5C Pass
5H Pass 6S AP
[Note "1:<i>Alerted as an artificial suit bid in the first round of the auction</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  2
N  S  1
N  H  5
N  D  5
N  C  3
S NT  2
S  S  1
S  H  5
S  D  5
S  C  3
E NT 11
E  S 12
E  H  8
E  D  8
E  C 10
W NT 11
W  S 12
W  H  8
W  D  8
W  C 10

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site "BridgeClubLive!"]
[Date "2021.01.28"]
[Board "7"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "S"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "S:AK652.AJ74.98.94 9743.KT85.T5.852 JT.Q2.AKQJ4.AKQ6 Q8.963.7632.JT73"]
[Scoring "MP"]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

With 22 HCPs opposite partner's opening bid North realises that there is almost
certainly a slam available.

The 4NT and 5NT Blackwood sequences reveal that South has two aces and one
king. There is a king missing so North settles for 6NT.}
[Result ""]
{

There are 11 top tricks: 2 spades, 1 heart, 5 diamonds, 3 clubs. Hearts is the
only suit where another trick can be made, so declarer's first task is to play
hearts to establish that trick.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "cbbdbccbdc1120111201"]
[OptimumScore "NS 2140"]
[ParContract "NS 7D="]
[Auction "S"]
1S Pass 2D Pass
2H Pass 4NT Pass
5H Pass 5NT Pass
6D Pass 6NT AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT 12
N  S 11
N  H 11
N  D 13
N  C 11
S NT 12
S  S 12
S  H 11
S  D 13
S  C 12
E NT  1
E  S  1
E  H  2
E  D  0
E  C  1
W NT  1
W  S  1
W  H  2
W  D  0
W  C  1

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "8"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "W"]
[Vulnerable "None"]
[Deal "W:J.J65.KQJT7.KQJ8 QT82.9.A92.T9543 AK7.AKQ873.863.6 96543.T42.54.A72"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
[Result ""]
{

After partner has bid 4\H, East thinks that a slam in hearts might be possible.


However, partner’s 5\C response to 4NT Blackwood reveals that there are two
missing aces so East settles for 5\H.}
[BCFlags "5f"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "2622526225b6ba8b6ba8"]
[OptimumScore "EW 460"]
[ParContract "EW 3N+2"]
[Auction "W"]
1D Pass 1H Pass
2C Pass 3H Pass
4H Pass 4NT Pass
5C Pass 5H AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT  2
N  S  6
N  H  2
N  D  2
N  C  5
S NT  2
S  S  6
S  H  2
S  D  2
S  C  5
E NT 11
E  S  6
E  H 11
E  D 10
E  C  8
W NT 11
W  S  6
W  H 11
W  D 10
W  C  8

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "9"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "N"]
[Vulnerable "EW"]
[Deal "N:KQT875.Q92.A9.76 A.65.KQ62.AKQJT4 J963.JT843.J8.93 42.AK7.T7543.852"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

After an opening 1\S by North, East starts with a double to ensure the bidding
remains open for one round.

The 2\D response to the double is difficult to read because it is a forced bid.

With such a strong hand, total control of spades and no action from South, East
bids the diamond game.

West has two tricks more than East can count on, so raises to the small slam on
the probability that it makes and the slam bonus!}
[Result ""]
{

From the bidding North must hold \DA, so use \HAK as two entries to dummy to
lead small diamonds towards \DKQ to ensure that \DA is the only trick to be
lost.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "1761117611966cc966cc"]
[OptimumScore "NS -1100"]
[ParContract "NS 6SX-5"]
[Auction "N"]
1S X Pass 2D
Pass 5D Pass 6D
AP
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination;Result"]
W S 6
W H 6
W D 12
W C 12
W N 9
N S 7
N H 6
N D 1
N C 1
N N 1
E S 6
E H 6
E D 12
E C 12
E N 9
S S 7
S H 6
S D 1
S C 1
S N 1

[Event "B3 L05 Slam Seeking"]
[Site ""]
[Date ""]
[Board "10"]
[West ""]
[North ""]
[East ""]
[South ""]
[Dealer "E"]
[Vulnerable "All"]
[Deal "E:KQT5.Q942.J2.876 A.65.AKQ6.AKQJT4 J9763.JT83.54.93 842.AK7.T9873.52"]
[Scoring ""]
[Declarer ""]
[Contract ""]
{

North responds 3\D to partner's 2\C opening bid. This promises 8+ HCPs with a
5-card or longer diamond suit.

South rebids 4NT Blackwood to reveal that partner has the missing \HA. South
continues 5NT Blackwood to find partner has one king which must be either \SK
or \HK.

South counts tricks: 6 clubs, 4 diamonds, plus 2 aces and one king from hearts
and spades for a total of 13, so bids 7NT.}
[Result ""]
{

The only possible loser is a diamond on a 4-0 split, but that worry disappears
when both East and West follow on the first round of diamonds.}
[BCFlags "df"]
[DoubleDummyTricks "d78ddd78dd0640006400"]
[OptimumScore "NS 2220"]
[ParContract "NS 7N="]
[Auction "E"]
Pass 2C =1= Pass 3D
Pass 4NT Pass 5D
Pass 5NT Pass 6D
Pass 7NT AP
[Note "1:<i>Alerted as Game force</i>"]
[OptimumResultTable "Declarer;Denomination\2R;Result\2R"]
N NT 13
N  S  7
N  H  8
N  D 13
N  C 13
S NT 13
S  S  7
S  H  8
S  D 13
S  C 13
E NT  0
E  S  6
E  H  4
E  D  0
E  C  0
W NT  0
W  S  6
W  H  4
W  D  0
W  C  0
