Sunday, July 20, 2008 3:59 pm

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( Slam Trys )

PITBULLS:

         One bid that has been around a long time but not used enough , in my opinion , is the 5 of a major slam try. In many hands , we just want to flash our slam intentions without having a specific meaning for the bid. When the context of the auction  negates the systemic use of 5 of a major , the bid should be just interpreted as a general slam try. Two hands bid by local players demonstrate the lost art of the 5 of a major as a general slam try.

           Susan Culham held this unlikely looking hand ♠K ♥AJxx ♦AJxx ♣AJxx &  Maurice opened 4♠ vul. Susan can count 8♠ tricks & 3 Aces for 11 tricks. Does he have anything else? How do you invite partner to the party ? A 5♠ bid can not be asking for trump as both KCB or 5NT does a better job. A 5♠ bid in this context is a general slam invite asking for any additional source of tricks. Maurice had outside cards so 1430 is easy as he accepts the invitation.

         Tom Gandolfo held ♠A10xx ♥AKx ♦x ♣AQ10xx & the auction proceeds 2♥ & Leslie doubles vulnerable vrs not. Tom bids 3♥ & Leslie bids 4♦ with ♠KJ98 ♥x ♦AJ98xx ♣Kx . So far so good but what now ? With take out double auctions , partner is supposed to be short in the opponents suit. I think that should be a basic assumption on all these auctions. If not , a doubleton in the opponents suit should be factored in on general slam try auctions. Tom now bids 5♠ thereby flashing his slam intentions & asking partner a question. How do you like your hand in support of spades ? Leslie has a nice hand in support of spades so with good trump & a stiff in their suit she carries on to 6♠. Tom makes 7 with a trump finesse & 1470 is the final result.

         Deliberately bidding past game in NT is an obvious slam invitation. Bidding past game in a major is also an obvious slam invitation. The bid should become more common in our auctions. The 5 of a major bid invites partner to join the party.