BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WhAT do you bid next as West?

i HAve shown an initial pass for West, because you should not open on this hand in second seat, even at the favourable vulnerability.

but now the situation is very different — you are on the verge of a slam, but do not have enough to invite 6Nt with a quantitative raise to 4Nt. if you are fortunate to be bidding naturally you can bid 3 ♦ , followed by 4 ♣ , if partner responds 3Nt. this is risky because you have gone past the better-scoring No trump game, and might feel committed to push for a poor minor-suit slam.

the many players who now use transfers at Pairs have a useful option for this hand, because 3 ♠ becomes a ‘spare’ bid, which can be used to mean something special. Currently, 3 ♠ is used generally in modern tournament methods to show five spades and four hearts. i favour a more constructive and frequent option of showing interest in a minor- suit slam — and this preference is quickly catching on. it is the ideal choice for this hand, because you can convey the message, without going past 3Nt. this is the hand opposite yesterday’s: ♠ Q ♥ AKJ108 ♦ A63 ♣ AK108, and 6 ♣ is reached easily. the better-scoring contracts are in fact 6 ♥ or 6Nt, but how do you reach them?