Tuesday,
February 11, 2003 3:53 PM
2NT - Minor Slams
PITBULLS:
Just found out that Kantar plays the same treatment
as we do with minors over 2NT but
he adds a transfer element . Is it worth taxing our memory to implement it ? I
do not think so , therefore I took
them out below. Also see the 4NT bid by responder after the 3♠ relay to 3NT and of course Kantars KCB element in
these sequences . BJ Trelford came up with the concept of “picture bids” in
these sequences to tell partner exactly how many controls are missing. This is a neat concept , you tell
partner about the fit and the controls in one bid by jumping to game or slam.
Tom came up with a 5♣ jump after the relay saying pass or correct to a minor.
RESPONDING TO 2NT WITH SLAM
INVITATIONAL MINOR SUIT HANDS
It has always been a problem to show the
minors in response to a 2NT opening bid.
2nt Minor Suit Slam Tries
2nt 3♠ relay to 3NT
3nt ?
4♣ Club
slam try
4♦ Kickback RCB for clubs
4n
to play , can have clubs but lacks
controls
4♦ Diamond
slam try
4♥ Kickback RCB for diamonds
4n
to play can have diamonds but lacks controls
4♥ fragment
with both minors stiff spade
4nt
to play
4♠ Double keycard
5♣
interested in slam. Missing 3 keycards (A♠, A♥, AK♦,
AKQ♣)
5♦ interested in slam. Missing 3
keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
6♣ Missing 2 keycards
(A♠, A♥, AK♦, AKQ♣)
6♦ Missing 2 keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
4♠ fragment
with both minors stiff heart
4n
to play
5♣
interested in slam. Missing 3 keycards (A♠, A♥, AK♦,
AKQ♣)
5♦ interested in slam. Missing 3
keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
6♣ Missing 2 keycards
(A♠, A♥, AK♦, AKQ♣)
6♦ Missing 2 keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
4nt both
minors, no stiff, not forcing
5♣
interested in slam. Missing 3 keycards (A♠, A♥, AK♦,
AKQ♣)
5♦ interested in slam. Missing 3
keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
6♣ Missing 2 keycards
(A♠, A♥, AK♦, AKQ♣)
6♦ Missing 2 keycards (A♠, A♥, AKQ♦, AK♣)
5♣ weak both
minors ( taking
a shot) pass or correct only options
x x J1098xx QJxxx
An example of a 3♠ bid followed by 4♦ might be: S. xx H.
Jx D. AQ9xxx C. K10x
An example of a 3♠ bid followed by 4♥ might be: S.
xx H. x D. AJxxx C. KQJxx
An example of a 3♠ bid followed by 4NT might
be: S. Kxx H. xx D. Axxx C. AJxx
An example of a 3♠ bid followed by 5♣ might be S. x H.
xx D. J109xx C.
QJ109x
After responder makes a slam try, it is now up to the opener
to decide whether to sign off, usually with
4NT or try for slam.
After responder bids 4♣, a slam try in
clubs, if 2NT opener is interested in asking for keycards, he bids 4♦ kickback.
After responder bids 4♦, a slam try in
diamonds, 4♥ the next ranking
suit, is the keycard ask in diamonds by 2NT opener.
After responder shows a singleton HEART, 4♠ by the opener can be used as "double keycard"
asking for aces, kings, and queens of both minors!
As most players don't use that, and
probably have never even heard of it, it is easier to play 4NT as a signoff after a
singleton showing response and leaping to slam with a maximum plus a fit for
one of the minors. If opener retreats to five of a minor it is up to responder
to bid the slam with a maximum.
Lets
try on auction with the “picture bid “ concept with a hand from Thurday nite.
Partner opens 2NT and you have KJ AJx Qxx
J1098x so you bid 3♠ and partner takes the relay to 3NT. You bid 4♣ and partner with Axx Kxxx Ax AKQx leaps to 6♣ saying he is
missing exactly two key cards.
If the 2NT bidder lacks controls say
Qxx KQx
KJx AKQx , she can still bid 4NT with a 4 card club fit as
she lacks the controls to bid 5♣ , 6♣ or take control with 4♦ Kickback. The other hand now knows
that she is missing at least 4 key cards as defined in this scheme. Change
partners hand by adding controls Ax Ax Axx
J10xxx and would bid 5NT saying “pick a slam”.
Here is a hand from the Bermuda bowl
♠Axx ♥AKx ♦AKQx ♣K10x opposite
♠Kx ♥Qxx ♦10xx ♣AQ98x 2♣-P-2♦-P
(1) Kickback
2NT-P-3♠-P (2) 1 or 4
3NT-P-4♣-P (3) Queen ask
4♦(1)-P-4♥ (2)-P (4) yes
with spade King
4♠(3)-P-5♠(4)-P (5) Anything
extra ?
5NT(5)-P-6♥(6)-P
(6) Heart queen
7NT(7) (7) Count 13