[ajfonty]

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Partner played this hand the other day (I was South). I've run it through Bridge Baron and 6♥ makes (I also remember seeing 4♥+2 results in the Results section). One of the ways I try to get better at Bridge is to analyze the hands we've played, but I can't seem to find a way scientifically for N-S to make it to 6♥.

In the auction, South bids 1♠ to show 4+ spades and 6+ points; this bid also has the unintended benefit of silencing E-W out of their best fit (spades), but it technically does not confirm support for hearts. Even if South bids 2♥ instead of 1♠ (confirming an 11 card fit) West can then easily overcall 2♠, and E-W can certainly compete all the way to 4♠, disrupting the N-S bidding. (4♠ E-W makes).

Even pretending that West doesn't use the 2♠ overcall, North has very few means to explore for slam because the single raise of South is naturally limiting (we play Bergen Raises). 4NT after the 2♥ raise, asking for key cards, would most certainly be a stretch considering the combined high card points of N-S; and, even if North decided to ask with 4NT, he would learn to his dismay that South had literally zero key cards in his hand. With our omniscience, it is easy to see that the Queen doubleton of South allows N-S to make a slam, but there's no way South can know that such a weak suit holding is actually worthwhile.

If the bidding proceeded 1♥-Pass-2♥-Pass (again assuming West doesn't overcall) North could try a splinter with 4♣, but again South has no controls to bid and must bid 4♥, leaving North with no way to see that slam is possible.

(Interestingly enough, 6♦ N-S also makes, but that has to be impossible to bid, haha).

Am I right in this analysis? If there is something I am missing, please do share! I hope you've enjoyed seeing this rather interesting two suited hand!

[FM75]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the interesting hand.

One problem with your 2 suiter is that it does not promise ever to be able to get to dummy. So the voids may only have value when the opponents win tricks. The ♦Q is nice, but give W ♦ A9x and dummy's Q8 would not have an entry. So you might have 2 entries perforce in hearts but lose 2 diamonds and a heart first.

I don't see any artificial bidding that could pick this out scientifically. Maybe others have a trick up their sleeves. But a 6♠ sacrifice would probably be a winner if you found a way to bid 6♥?

[uhhlv]

This is a 50% slam. So it makes no sense thinking about ist.

[whereagles]

Hands with extreme distribution are unbiddable scientifically. You just bid what you think you can make and hope for the best.

[helene_t]

I like your auction. 4♥ is the right contract since you will make 6♥ less than 50% of the time - you need hearts to split but you can still go down if diamonds are 5-1 and they find the ruff.

[gszes]

first things first I cannot understand the 1s bid by responder
a ratty 5 card suit weak hand is a much MUCH better 2h bid. The
2h bid will let you know right away about your 11 card fit and
if the opps continue to remain quiet use 3d HSGT.

if responder bids 3h try 4d to let them know about your very
distributional hand and slam aspirations and respect their 4h bid
they bid it. Responder should be able to continue on to slam with
xxx Jxx QJ xxxxx not enough to bid 4h with but enough to slam with
after 4d.

If responder bids 4h (or 4d) (over our 3d) we should be happy to
be in a small slam and not worry about a grand. The key to all of
this is 2h right away the 1s bid throws off the entire bidding process.

[Bad_Wolf]

I once held AKQJTxxx - - AKJxx and RHO opened 3H. I was young, 7S was -2

[Hanoi5]

It is certainly not a good slam. Less than 50%, by the way. I'm sure anyone getting to it would have to do it by just jumping to 6 after, for example, receiving support from partner.

[Lovera]

A way can be : S after partner asks with 4NT can rightly think that N had to have almost 20/+ points to get high and surely 6/+ hearts (and in S hand there is a king). Than answers 5♦(=0-3), Queen ?- yes(=ten fit) with King 6♣ ..(Lovera)

[manudude03]

4NT by North would be insane, partner could bid 5H and you won't know if you are about to be in a zero play slam or cold for 7. My rule for these hands is get the opponents to tell you if slam makes. If they won't co-operate, then don't bother.

[Lovera]

manudude03, on 2016-December-17, 15:29, said:

4NT by North would be insane, partner could bid 5H and you won't know if you are about to be in a zero play slam or cold for 7. My rule for these hands is get the opponents to tell you if slam makes. If they won't co-operate, then don't bother.

Both all want to go on (the extreme are rare).