What’s your call?
| 2♠ | 2NT | |||
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass |
So why bother to drag out the motheaten five-card spade suit with zero controls when partner is sitting over there with a fistful of clubs and hearts – other than the fact that it’s forcing?
Cohen explains. “This hand has way too much potential to retreat to 3♣. I plan to raise hearts next to complete my pattern. We could easily have a slam – picture partner’s hand:
♠x ♥K Q x x ♦ A x ♣A 10 x x x x.
The only downside of this bid is that I expect partner to be short in spades, and I don’t want him to think I have too much wasted there.”
Korbel, on the other hand, doesn’t mind partner attributing some spade strength to him if it leads to the right place. “It seems unlikely that we could have a spade fit on this auction. I would expect partner’s spade length to be between zero and one. A 2♠ call, however, keeps the auction lower and might allow us to get to 3NT opposite something like:
♠J ♥K J x x ♦ K Q x ♣A Q x x x,
which could be important at matchpoints.”
Boehm, 2♠: “Business is picking up. I’ll continue my description in case notrump is our destination.”
Rigal’s 2♠ leaves open the possibility of everything except a diamond contract. “Too good for 3♣ and angling for notrump. I plan to raise clubs over a 2NT bid and maybe maneuver to 4♥ facing:
♠J x ♥K Q x x ♦ A x ♣A Q x x x.
We won’t play spades, even if partner raises – unless partner jumps to 4♠.”
Stack’s enthusiasm sort of peters out after his forcing 2♠: “Partner should know about the club fit because of the cuebid. If spades are raised, we can bid 4♠. If partner bids 2NT, we can return to clubs, non-forcing. If partner bids 3♣, we can pass.”
According to Sanborn, “I created a one-round force for a new suit and strongly implied support, so 2♠ should be perfect!”
Lee’s bid is 3♦ . “The opponents’ silence indicates partner likely has a few diamonds and short spades, so 4♣ is just an underbid where partner won’t evaluate correctly. I’m never playing 3NT with a hand like this, and if partner makes a strong move over 3♦ , we could have a slam. But in most situations, I’m just going to bid 5♣ next.”
The Sutherlins select 3♦ . “Partner should have something like:
♠x ♥K J x x ♦ A x x ♣A Q 10 x x
and game in clubs should make. Slam is a possibility if his spades are better.”
Meyers, who bids 3♦ , can visualize partner with something like:
♠A ♥K Q x x ♦ x x ♣A Q x x x x.
“I am not giving up on slam, but certainly I am planning to bid a game (playing partner for short spades).”
Falk leads off the 4♣ bidders. “Why, oh why, did I not bid 3♦ on the previous round? Now I’ve snookered myself: 2♠ shows a much better suit than Q–x–x–x–x; North should raise on honor doubleton. And 2♥ did not show anything extra; it was free if North holds any four hearts and it consumes no space. Meanwhile, 3♣ by me at this point is just not enough. So I have to try to say, ‘I’ve got great club support and interest in a club game.’ 4♣ is highly imperfect. The singleton diamond is probably the information partner needs to make the right decision. At least by never bidding spades, I won’t mislead partner about wasted strength opposite his singleton or doubleton.”
Robinson’s 4♣ is far simpler and more merciful without all the whining. “This figures to be a good-fitting hand, so I want to be in 5♣ unless partner has a real dog,
♠x x ♥K Q J x ♦ x x ♣A Q 10 9 x, for instance.”
Hampson uses a 4♦ splinter. “I want to show slam interest with short diamonds. I will get us back to clubs at my next turn.”
Colchamiro suspects he is the only 5♣ bidder, and he’s right. “I know I might go minus, but the chances for a make are so good. The opponents’ silence makes me believe partner has at least three diamonds and therefore a great chance to hold a spade singleton or void. Opposite this 11-count:
♠— ♥K Q x x ♦ x x x ♣A Q x x x x, we can almost make 13 tricks. So am I crazy to hope partner can take 11?”
3♣ by Lawrence. Like Falk, he wishes he had bid 3♦ last round, so he’s not all that happy with his alternatives. “4♣ would be forcing, 2♠ would be forcing to game.”
