Jay and Steve Becker Contract Bridge

1. Four notrump. Partner will normally have 13 to 15 points in high cards and distribution, which puts you in the vicinity of the 33 points generally required to make 12 tricks. A small slam is virtually certain, and a grand slam is possible.

Blackwood is by far the best way of estimating how many tricks you can take. If partner shows two aces by bidding five hearts, you sign off at six diamonds. If he shows three aces by bidding five spades, you bid five notrump next, asking for kings. If he responds six diamonds, showing one king, you bid seven.

2. Four diamonds. After partner’s forcing raise, the four-diamond bid shows no extra values. If partner next bids five diamonds, you pass.

But if partner evinces slam interest by cue-bidding four hearts or spades, you will next bid five clubs. This cannot be regarded as a strong bid, as you have already limited your resources by bidding four diamonds. Over five clubs, the rest is up to partner.

3. Three notrump. This is not a pleasant rebid, considering your heart holding, but it offers the best chance for game, and that is the main consideration. Five diamonds could be a better contract, but there is no sensible way of finding out. If you were to bid four clubs, you would go past three notrump. Your 4-4-32 distribution strongly suggests notrump despite the danger in hearts. If partner passes three notrump, the odds strongly favor making it.

4. Four clubs. With your excellent controls in the side suits, a slam is possible despite your minimum high-card values. Partner may have something like

which would give you roughly a 90 percent chance for six.

If partner’s response to four clubs is four diamonds, you are entitled to make another slam try by bidding four spades. If partner then bids five diamonds, declining both of your invitations, you would have to respect his wishes and throw in the towel.

Note that Blackwood is not employed here. Learning whether partner has one or two aces does not resolve the question of whether there will be a good play for 12 tricks.

Tomorrow: Sitting in the driver’s seat.