Saturday, April 24, 2004 12:35 AM

Choice of Slams

PITBULLS:

There is a use for a 5NT bid either directly bid or a jump where it must be interpreted as offering a choice of slams . 5NT is a “depending on context bid” whose meaning changes depending on the particular auction. The Bridge World defines the 5NT bid this way

Five notrump: If an undiscussed but clearly forcing noncompetitive five-notrump bid might logically be interpreted as more than one of these alternatives, the priority order of interpretation is

(1) Grand-Slam Force,

(2) choice of slam,

(3) control-showing bid.

If you have a fit clearly established the jump to 5NT is the grand slam force. If there is a possibly of two fits and the trump preference was belated or forced , 5NT takes on its 2^nd meaning the choice of contracts . Both the Vinnies and Maurice and I had a hand Thursday nite that shows 5NT taking on its 2^nd meaning – choice of contracts.

Maurice & Osama had this anemic collection AJ10xxx Kx Qx Q10x which both of them opened 1♠ . Partner bid 2♦ and then rebid diamonds before giving spade preferece . Osama bid 3NT after the belated spade preference and Maurice bid 4 spades . It does not matter since the next bid is 5NT at both tables . In Osama’s auction 4NT would be quantitative saying bid 6NT with extra’s and 5NT can not be a grand slam force as no direct fit has been established . Therefore partner wants you to make a choice of slams between spades , diamonds and NT since Osama bid that contract. Qx of diamonds tips the scale in favour of the diamond suit so 6♦ is the best bid . At our table 5NT must be a choice of contract bid but only between spades & diamonds as NT has not been bid. We had no direct spade fit established also. Again 6♦ is the choice of contracts at our table. .

Partner hand is Kx Axx AKJxxxx K and 6♦ is indeed the correct contract . This is not a hand for Blackwood as we are not sure of the final resting spot. If partner has AQJ109x of spades then that’s the contract . The 5NT choice of contract bid to the rescue so that you find the right strain. So I look at the travel slip and only Maurice and I get to 6♦ , the rest of the field was in 6♠ so a big pickup for us right ? Wrong , Q of spades on side and a 3-2 spade break and the field makes 980 for a 1 IMP loss for us !

Anyway you must have a direct fit established before 5NT is interpreted as the GSF otherwise it’s a choice of contract bid . A rare but sometimes handy bid .