Sunday, October 13, 2002 12:44 AM

Slam Tries - Bergen raises

PITBULLS:

Something that Stan wrote is the basis for this E-Mail . “ What might normally be a game try becomes a slam try; and, where a game try might normally be made, the game is simply bid.”

Over the Bergen 3 ♦ bid , game tries are replaced by slam tries . Incorporating “serious 3NT” into the Bergen structure fits nicely . I think all bids after 3♦ should be Italian style Q bids . You are giving information to the opponents and partner because you are interested in slam . If you feel game is there just bid it . 3NT is obviously a serious try and demands a Q bid from partner .

I would recommend that 3 of the major be a flat opener that only you would have opened . A Q bid is the cheapest bid you can make and 2^ND round control may be bid before first round to keep this rule consistent . A leap to the 4 level in a suit after a Bergen raise is exclusion KCB . Lets try some example hands

X Axxx

AKxxx Q10xx

Kxxx Axx

AKx xx

1♥ 3♦

3♠ (1) 4♦ (2) 1. 2^Nd round control is cheaper

4NT 5♠ 2. Non serious slam try by partner so I have the

good hand

6♥ (3) 3. Good slam

void xxx 1♥ 3♦ 1. EKB

AKxxx Jxxx 4♠ (1) 5♣ (2) 2. 1 Ace outside spades

AKQxx xx 6♥ (3) 3. decent grand

QJ10 AKxx

Knowing that partner has 4 trump justifies the 4 spade bid !!

KQxxxx Axxx 1♠ 3♦

AQx Jxxx 3NT (1) 4♦ (2) 1. Serious slam try -Diamond control ?

xx Ax 4NT 5♥ 2. Yup

AK Q10x 6♠