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A Minor Problem.

There seems to be a little more room to explore for slam when a major suit is trumps than when we are looking possibly for slam in a minor. Below is the kind of problem that can occur when we are in the “maybe slam zone” in a minor suit. How then best to resolve it?

 

2 is a Weak Jump. We are playing Teams.

Identifying the problem though not really with a solution is:

Michael Cornell “5 and a half : if allowed!

Really just a guess but if partner has x x Axxxxx AKxxx, I can blame him for not bidding another one!

Seriously though, I am worried that with no spade raise, we could have 2 spade losers off the top.”

One problem is East’s failure to raise spades. Were hearts trumps, we could jump to 5 being a slam try, asking partner to bid 6 with control of their suit…but that cannot work with diamonds as trumps.

Of similar mind and not wanting a quick slam defeat:

Anthony Ker “5: I will jump to 5. Slam could be on but there is the possibility of 2 spade losers. Playing in slam losing the first two tricks is undignified and I do not see a way to find out so will settle for 5.”

Well, there are some who try:

Andy Braithwaite “ 4: cue. If I get a 4 bid from partner, I will bid 6- if not 5.”

Bruce Anderson “4: this must be a cue bid as if I had a long strong heart suit I would have bid 3 over 2.  The negative double must show four hearts and now I am cue bidding with support for one of partner's suits (or possibly both).

I am hopeful of hearing a cue bid in spades when I will bid 6. If partner cannot cue bid spades, we will play 5 given it is almost certain we are off two quick tricks in spades.

I am prepared to take the risk we are off two aces if partner cue bids a singleton spade as it is more likely their strength is in diamonds and clubs. And if we are missing the K it is likely to be on side.”

Well, that is all very logical if 4 is a cue bid..but is it? A direct 3 over 2 would be a forcing action. Say one held 6 hearts and around 6 hcp. Double and then a heart bid would seem to be the way you would treat that hand. Agreeing with that statement is:

Nigel Kearney “4: It is awkward because we do not have a good way to make a slam try. 4 would be to play. 4 without a spade control might send the wrong message. My second choice would be to just jump to 6 but I think that is a little much. Partner should have a pretty good hand but could easily have xx x AQxxx AKJxx or a similar hand with Kx but another high card missing.”

When help is needed, call on our Panel. None of the above answers address how forcing 4 is. Can it be passed? I would think not. Therefore, a good solution to our problem may be here:

Michael Ware “4: unanimous surely! 4 is GF so I set diamonds as trumps and see if partner can cue spades. (Over 4), 4 by me would be natural NF.
If partner bids 4 instead of 4, I will bid 5 "last train" - clearly looking for spade control.”

Well, if the jump to 4 is game-forcing, then 4, setting trumps must also be forcing to game. Suddenly, we can conduct a sensible exploration.

Leon Meier “4: I expect 4 is Game Forcing so I just want to agree diamonds.”

Wayne Burrows “4: Easy. I do not really have a second choice. I showed values to play at the three-level by doubling 2 and partner jumped. Moreover, that jump was beyond 3NT. Therefore we are in a game-force. My first priority is to tell partner what trumps will be. 
I am anticipating a much bigger problem on the next round if partner cues 4 as I have enough to cooperate but no cue-bid to make. Maybe 4 then 5 is enough. Maybe 5 is some sort of last train denying a spade control. Anyway for now the problem is this round and I think that is a non-problem.”

Agreeing and raising an interesting point about our previous negative double is:

Stephen Blackstock “4: 4 was game forcing with slam interest (otherwise 5). Let's see if partner can show a spade control; if so key-card should lead to 6 or 7."

It is interesting whether double or 3 (a good raise) was preferable earlier. As it went, East will not know whether West has genuine support or simple preference, perhaps no better than a doubleton diamond. At Pairs, it is understandable keeping a higher scoring heart contract in the frame, but at Teams any making game or slam will do, and slam prospects are much clearer to East once good diamond support is guaranteed.”

An interesting point though I wonder whether when North doubles 2 that a 4-4 heart fit might still be our best making game, Pairs or Teams. We did specify Teams above.

Peter Newell “4: Once partner jumps to the 4 level, I believe you should be in a forcing auction otherwise you get into situations like this where 6 may be good or poor. 

 Given North has not raised spades, it seems probable that partner has a spade fragment - Ax? Kx? honour x?  By bidding 4 forcing will enable partner to cue 4 over which I could bid 5 to show a goodish hand with no spade control. If partner bids 4 not 4, then I'll bid 6.”

Not only do we have good trumps and the A but the Q looks to be a most valuable asset, too. We cannot use Key Card (if we wanted to) until we have agreed trumps. Therefore, this approach feels right.

Lysandra Zheng “4: 4 should be a game force without interest in 3NT (at least 5-5 and not too weak). I will bid 4 now and try some kind of "Last Train" (something like 4-4-4). - Kxx AQxxx AKxxx is pretty much cold for grand, but partner is allowed to have something more distributional such as xx - AQxxxx KJTxx for their auction too (especially with there being no spade raise from the opponents).”

So, while Michael Ware’s unanimous Panel must wait for another day, the Panel are fairly sure we are in game force and then can bid a forcing 4 to further the auction. We are better off that diamonds and not clubs are trumps as with clubs  we would have trouble with a forcing bid. Today, the auction might continue as follows:

 

While South could cue 4 over 4, 4 is surely the bid North would want to hear. 5 asks for Q and side-suit kings. The surprising absence of Q (6)would end any grand thoughts.

If South did cue 4, then the “Last Train” 5 as suggested by some panellists would be North’s next bid, looking for the all important spade control. The actual South hand could not be much weaker for the jump to 4.

Thus, there does seem to be a way, indeed more than one way, as long as one, and partner, accepts that 4 puts us into a game-forcing auction.  

Richard Solomon

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