What’s your call?
| 2♦ | 2♥ | 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 |
One-fourth of the panel uses a 3♠ splinter.
Lawrence explains. “Typically I have four clubs for this splinter, but partner rates to have a better than normal suit. Facing:
♠8 7 5 4 ♥2 ♦ K 4 ♣Q 10 9 8 7 4,
we have a fair play for slam.”
Hampson: “I show my shortness with 3♠ and get us moving toward a possible slam before left-hand opponent gets to show his real suit.”
Sanborn plans to follow up 3♠ with another slam try – “maybe 4♠, pointing at red-suit controls.”
One-fourth of the panel thinks they know exactly where the spades are, and they want to apply the pressure.
Cohen defies LHO to bid over 5♣. “Likely West is itching to bid spades. Let’s make him do so on the five level. Meanwhile, this could be makeable.”
Meyers: “I don’t necessarily think I can make 5♣, but it puts my LHO – who must have a lot of spades – under pressure. Because where are the spades on this hand?”
Falk, too. “LHO must have something like eight solid spades and perhaps a diamond honor or two and maybe a heart honor. Because they are on their way to 4♠, I might as well see if LHO is willing to bid 5♠, and whether partner has anything to say over that – such as double with a singleton heart on lead, or a spade card, or both, or 6♣ with extra length. If LHO prefers to double me in 5♣ rather than bid 5♠, I don’t think he will like his result.”
Korbel: “I feel like West is coming with a strong spade hand. Where else could the spades be? I assume 2♣ is natural and non-forcing. Let’s make West’s life miserable by jumping to 5♣ right now.”
Rigal is one of the two 2♦ bidders. “Spades are just about to be bid in large numbers on my left. I’m preparing for the five level. I want to get all the suits into play.”
Boehm is the other. “It seems likely that this won’t end the auction. If partner passes with a diamond fit, the opponents have lots of spades. I’ll show club support next, perhaps at a high level.”
The Sutherlins bid 2♥. “Opponents have spades, so this will not end the auction. We could have a heart game. Usually partner has six clubs and my support is great. If necessary, I will later bid 4♣.”
Stack is also content with 2♥. “What happened to the spade suit? Let’s use this opportunity to show the good sixcard suit because on the next round, we intend to support clubs. The opponents have at least a nine-card spade fit, so the possibility of the auction ending at 2♥ is non-existent.”
Lee likes the slightly preemptive nature of 3♦ . “It also allows me to raise 3♥ to 4♥ or bid clubs over anything else.”
Robinson chooses 3♥. “Whatever 2♣ means, I want to show a good sixcard heart suit with extra values.”
Again Colchamiro expects to be the lone wolf with 4♥ and again he’s right. “Opposite:
♠x x x ♥x x ♦ K x ♣Q J 10 x x x,
where would you want to be? Even if the ♦ K is the ♠K, I’m not dead yet. If I bid 3♥, partner might bid 4♥ – and he might not. 4♥ is where the money is. As I score up plus 620, I’ll be able to ask my opponent (who stopped in 3♥), ‘What’s in your wallet?’ Besides, if I get doubled, or lefty backs in with 4♠, I’ll run to 5♣. And how bad can that be?”
