[adhoc3]

Both, Imp

AJxxx Qx AQT AQJ

These 20 hcps were not exciting at all. However, pard opened 2S on the first seat, covered by 3H. It seems that all your need for slam were 2nd control in ♥, maybe a little bit more luck in minor. Assume you start with 4H, LHO passed -- so pard probably did not have singleton H. Pard back to 4S, would you try to step further?

[Kalvan14]

I'd have preferred bidding 4♣ (certainly forcing). 4♥ is not much of a message for pard: how can he understand where my problem is?

Btw, I need finding pard with a singleton, or the A♥. If his weak 2 is made up of KQ to 6 in spades and K♥, it does not look like a very good slam.

[adhoc3]

Kalvan14, on Mar 16 2006, 10:08 PM, said:

I'd have preferred bidding 4♣ (certainly forcing). 4♥ is not much of a message for pard: how can he understand where my problem is?

Btw, I need finding pard with a singleton, or the A♥. If his weak 2 is made up of KQ to 6 in spades and K♥, it does not look like a very good slam.

Totally agree 4C forcing.

If he bid 4♦ showing his side strength, it's all ok, let's settle on 4S. But what would he suppose to bid if he had ♥A but nothing in ♣? Maybe 4♠. You would still have a decision to make.

[Kalvan14]

IMO, 4♣ would show either an autonomous suit or a Q with fit in spades.
Opener - in either case - should bid his controls.

[whereagles]

Clear pass. Quite likely, RHO is waiting to cash his hearts.

[Fluffy]

4♥ was not best, it will make partner think we control ♥.

Start with 4♣ then bid 5♠, that will show lack of ♥ control.

[cherdano]

Well I don't know your partner's 2S bids but opposite my partners I would just have bid 4S. You need a perfect maximum to have slam on a finesse (KQxxxx x Kxx xxx) -- admittedly the finesse is likely to be on -- but often partner will have KQxxxx xx xxx xx where we need two kings on to be safe on the 5 level.

Arend

[hatchett]

I would pass give partner KQxxxx Kxx xxx x is two finesses for 6. and if partner might open 2S without the heart King , the 5 level is in jeopardy.

[Limey_p]

I like the first round 4♥ bid.

And yes, I'd raise 4♠ to 5.

Andy

[kenrexford]

In what real world will slam "depend upon finesses?" There are a grand total of 15 HCP's outside of spades. If partner holds a heart control in the form of an honor, the minor "finesses" are extremely marked. Thus, I agree that the only real concern is the heart control issue.

I also find it particularly remote for the five-level to be in jeopardy. If partner lacks a heart control, then, again, the minor finesses are probably fairly good bets. If that freak exists, I'll live.