As pointed out in other situations, start out 2C-3C-3D-4D. There is no compression of space compared to the video auction, and opener has a better picture of fits.
Some people also play over 4D, that 4H would be the kickback convention rather than a cue-bid. So if that were the case you would bid 4NT to show 1/4 as with kickback there is no need to play 1430 method you should play 3014. Now 5H asks for kings - so 6C to show the king of clubs or the two major kings if you are playing paradox kings (therefore it must show the king of clubs only). Now North can punt 7D or 7NT (the worst-case scenario is it will be a finesse) - personally, I would bid 7D. This is a hand where it is easier to get to 7NT if the 4H bid is a cue bid rather than the kickback system.
One fewer diamond and one more club would make 7D a much better grand since you could ruff out the clubs. 7NT would require a doubleton QC, or a heart-club squeeze. At IMPs, I'm settling for 7D. At matchpoint scoring, I like 7NT.
very interesting lesson. Thank you very much. But I thought that the answer to 4NT is 5D if you have 1 or 4 keycards, not 4C which means 0 or 3 Keycard. Please comment.
well, knowing partner has the KS rather than the KH - partner could have Ax,AK,AQJxxxx,Ax opposite Qxx, Qx, Kxx, KJ10xx now it is a lot less certain 7S making. You would need the clubs to behave to get rid of the spade.
No - 3C would be Stayman after a 2NT opener, 3C would show a positive natural response as curt has said usually 2 of the top 3 honors and 3 of the top 5 honors.
Would they do that without the Ace? I'd only bid to mess with a 2C opening if I thought my partner might be leading to my ace. Certainly 2H wouldn't acheive much.
No, you have already accepted diamonds as trumps by raising it. 4H is not a natural bid, it normally shows control (ace, king, singleton, void) in hearts.
Interesting but I must admit not too terribly useful for a learner or maybe even an intermediate, for actual learning - roman key card? controls? 14-30?. Possibly even discouraging for a learner thinking "OMG, how am I ever going to become competent in this game" I think back to a great OLB video from a couple of years ago of Graham and his analysis of Staymen. Like staymen this isn't something we are going to encounter often enough to get worried about the details and there is a lot more to get right in more common hands. Maybe there should be a warning up front that this isn't for the faint of heart. :) Thanks as always Bajir!
I have a bridge channel as well that teaches bridge - the thing is everyone is learning all the time - you have to do non-beginner stuff as well - as this is where the thrill is for a lot of people - to bid a grand - it should be something to aspire to. I know a lot of beginner players who have not been properly taught and they have never bid a small slam let alone a grand slam in their life - and to me, that is very sad. If I remember, I do try and say this is aimed at advanced-level players.
@@johnworf I am often amazed at how often I bid an ordinary small slam at my local club or sectional tournament, take all 13 tricks, and wonder if we could have had a sensible auction to reach a grand slam - only to see in the results that we got close to a top board for bidding an "easy" small slam where I feel like I deserved only an average board. It is as if the pursuit of slam doesn't even exist for less experienced players, and I fully agree with you that we need to bring this exciting part of the game even to players who have not reached an advanced level.
To provide an analogy: let's say you are learning to cook. The chef teaches you how to prepare some appetizers and some main courses and you ask about dessert, but the chef tells you that you have to master 100 appetizers and 100 main courses before you can learn how to prepare dessert. You probably would not like that response because you want to be able to serve your guests a complete meal, right? Slam bidding is your dessert.
Even with normal Stayman you probably get to 7NT because after asking for aces and kings (you have them all) and assuming partner has AQJ of diamonds (because otherwise they probably wouldn't have bid 3D with only AQ or AJ) you can already count 13 winners over any lead (The extra J of S is not even needed)
I feel like giving a positive response to the 2C opening makes it easier to reach the grand slam
My bidding with this auction went: *2🍀 - 3🍀 - 3🔶 - 4NT - 5🍀- 5NT - 6🍀 - 6🔶 - Pass.
6🔶 by North, Lead: ♥4, 13 tricks made.
Bajir, I sweatd too! Thanks Curt, you have a great experience to analyze the hand !! It is not easy.
That was so interesting Bajir! Kurt is a great teacher!
As pointed out in other situations, start out 2C-3C-3D-4D. There is no compression of space compared to the video auction, and opener has a better picture of fits.
Very cleverly analysed, thank you both.
Very interesting - glad you stayed with Blackwood Bajir!!
Just amazing to see! Pamela in Cambridge UK
Some people also play over 4D, that 4H would be the kickback convention rather than a cue-bid. So if that were the case you would bid 4NT to show 1/4 as with kickback there is no need to play 1430 method you should play 3014. Now 5H asks for kings - so 6C to show the king of clubs or the two major kings if you are playing paradox kings (therefore it must show the king of clubs only). Now North can punt 7D or 7NT (the worst-case scenario is it will be a finesse) - personally, I would bid 7D. This is a hand where it is easier to get to 7NT if the 4H bid is a cue bid rather than the kickback system.
Good afternoon from Scotland
Over 2C as S I would proably bid 2 NT, would that be wrong?
I'm not sure how you counted the 13th trick. If N held the 2 of hearts instead the 2 of diamonds, wouldn't bidding have gone the same?
One fewer diamond and one more club would make 7D a much better grand since you could ruff out the clubs. 7NT would require a doubleton QC, or a heart-club squeeze.
At IMPs, I'm settling for 7D. At matchpoint scoring, I like 7NT.
Thanks guys
very interesting lesson. Thank you very much. But I thought that the answer to 4NT is 5D if you have 1 or 4 keycards, not 4C which means 0 or 3 Keycard. Please comment.
You could save a level by asking for the queen. If partner has it as you assume, it acts as a de facto king ask.
Exactly. What I wrote above.
Conserving space is important.
In RKCB, responding 5S to 5NT means 3 Kings. I certainly disagree it means K of S.
Why would you not initially respond to 2 Clubs using “Steps” which shows Responders points from the beginning?
Tô get to 7nt only possible if you use Roman key card?
well, knowing partner has the KS rather than the KH - partner could have Ax,AK,AQJxxxx,Ax opposite Qxx, Qx, Kxx, KJ10xx now it is a lot less certain 7S making. You would need the clubs to behave to get rid of the spade.
Is 3C not a Stayman request?
No - 3C would be Stayman after a 2NT opener, 3C would show a positive natural response as curt has said usually 2 of the top 3 honors and 3 of the top 5 honors.
what is east bid 2h or when favorable vul 3h
Would they do that without the Ace?
I'd only bid to mess with a 2C opening if I thought my partner might be leading to my ace. Certainly 2H wouldn't acheive much.
What does 6 S mean?
I don't have the king of clubs, I don't have the king of hearts but I have the king of spades.
How doesn’t the king of hearts not take a trip?
Because you can take 13 tricks without leading a second heart - 7D+3S+2C+1H = 13
Why not respond 2NT?
Curt gets confusing. Good job Bajir
Does’nt 4NT mean that Hearts are trumps?
No, you have already accepted diamonds as trumps by raising it. 4H is not a natural bid, it normally shows control (ace, king, singleton, void) in hearts.
What is a slam in bridge?
Tram tickets! Rofl
Interesting but I must admit not too terribly useful for a learner or maybe even an intermediate, for actual learning - roman key card? controls? 14-30?. Possibly even discouraging for a learner thinking "OMG, how am I ever going to become competent in this game" I think back to a great OLB video from a couple of years ago of Graham and his analysis of Staymen. Like staymen this isn't something we are going to encounter often enough to get worried about the details and there is a lot more to get right in more common hands. Maybe there should be a warning up front that this isn't for the faint of heart. :) Thanks as always Bajir!
I have a bridge channel as well that teaches bridge - the thing is everyone is learning all the time - you have to do non-beginner stuff as well - as this is where the thrill is for a lot of people - to bid a grand - it should be something to aspire to. I know a lot of beginner players who have not been properly taught and they have never bid a small slam let alone a grand slam in their life - and to me, that is very sad. If I remember, I do try and say this is aimed at advanced-level players.
@@johnworf I am often amazed at how often I bid an ordinary small slam at my local club or sectional tournament, take all 13 tricks, and wonder if we could have had a sensible auction to reach a grand slam - only to see in the results that we got close to a top board for bidding an "easy" small slam where I feel like I deserved only an average board. It is as if the pursuit of slam doesn't even exist for less experienced players, and I fully agree with you that we need to bring this exciting part of the game even to players who have not reached an advanced level.
To provide an analogy: let's say you are learning to cook. The chef teaches you how to prepare some appetizers and some main courses and you ask about dessert, but the chef tells you that you have to master 100 appetizers and 100 main courses before you can learn how to prepare dessert. You probably would not like that response because you want to be able to serve your guests a complete meal, right? Slam bidding is your dessert.
Stayman not Staymen
Even with normal Stayman you probably get to 7NT because after asking for aces and kings (you have them all) and assuming partner has AQJ of diamonds (because otherwise they probably wouldn't have bid 3D with only AQ or AJ) you can already count 13 winners over any lead (The extra J of S is not even needed)