[Cthulhu D]

Playing a swiss pairs event, with an inexperinced partner but who's generally a smart guy and plays all his bridge with you or your usual partner so if you try something a bit off beat he will usually figure it out in the end (and you're still a beginner yourself, you're seeded 2nd last in the novices...).

LHO deals and opens 3D.

You're looking at a 17 count with both majors and decent spots (spots approximate, but it was about the below. I cannot use the hand editor from this browser):

S: KQJ9
H: A9865
D: Q
C: AJ8

The auction continues

LHO - Partner - RHO - You

(3D) - X - (4D) - ??

How do you make a slam try here? What does 5D mean vs double?

I had no idea what to do and bid 5D just to hear something more from partner which resulted in us playing 6H, which made on a finesse. 6S is much nicer, but partner has equal length in the majors, and unsurprisingly better hearts texture. This was probably not a great slam, but pre-empts work etc. What should we do?

[the_clown]

I would bid 6♦, expecting partner to bid his longer major.

[Cthulhu D]

 the_clown, on 2012-April-23, 19:01, said:

I would bid 6♦, expecting partner to bid his longer major.

Would it be different if you held the KQ of clubs?

[the_clown]

Not really, Partner will not have too much in ♦ on the bidding. Even with a minimum X Axxx Kxxx x Axxx slam has good play.

[mgoetze]

 the_clown, on 2012-April-23, 19:01, said:

I would bid 6♦, expecting partner to bid his longer major.

I don't understand this. Surely partner will also usually bid his longer major over 5♦. 6♦ must then show something more, e.g. a diamond void.

[Phil]

Your example hand has 14 cards.

Double is just a generic takeout, and I would expect partner to pass that a lot if he's balanced - 3=3=2=5, (4-3)=2=4 or a hand that chose to make a TOx with a 4432.

There are many ways to force to slam:

1. 5♦ then raise
2. 5♦ then 5N
3. 5♦ then 6♦
4. 5N

and these do not count the various routes through 4N, but this discussion is beyond the scope of this forum.

[Fluffy]

 Cthulhu D, on 2012-April-23, 19:21, said:

Would it be different if you held the KQ of clubs?

With KQ of clubs there is little to be gained by playing in spades, we can then settle for 6♥ to avoid missunderstandings.

[phil_20686]

 mgoetze, on 2012-April-24, 03:03, said:

I don't understand this. Surely partner will also usually bid his longer major over 5♦. 6♦ must then show something more, e.g. a diamond void.

He means the doubler should bid 6d over 5d if he is accepting and has equal length.