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Hand Evaluation Part XI

Natural Slam Trys

If, after the auction begins: 1 - 2, it is appropriate to play natural game trys, opener describing his hand further to help responder to judge whether to bid game, it seems clear that the same sort of scheme should apply when slam is in the picture after the start 1 - 3 or 2 (Acol) - 3.

While opener will clearly have a stronger hand in the latter situation, the degree of fit between the two hands will still be crucial on many deals. Yet most players start to cuebid as soon as they are commited to game and interested in slam. So: 1 - 3 - 4 merely shows a club control plus slam interest and asks partner if he feels like cuebidding in turn. This is one of those rare situations where, at a very small cost, you can 'have your cake and eat it'.

Some hands lend themselves to natural slam trys, and I suggest that a new suit bid should be exactly that, just as it would be a natural game try if a level lower. Other hands are better suited to the simple cuebidding approach. The solution is to play 3NT as an artificial bid - hardly a terrible loss when you have a guaranteed fit in a major.

So: 1 - 3 - 3NT and 2 - 3 - 3NT both say, 'I am interested in slam, please start cuebidding'. Of course, this also applies when hearts is the agreed suit. 1 - 3 - ?

(i)		K Q 10 6 5
		7
		K J 4 3
		A K Q

The traditional approach is to cuebid 4. Partner will cooperate by also cuebidding with all of these hands:

(a)		A J 7 4
		A Q 8
		8 6 2
		J 4 3

(b)		A J 7 4
		8 6 2
		A Q 8
		J 4 3

(c)		A J 7 4
		A 8 2
		Q 8 6
		J 4 3

Facing examples (b) and (c), opener wants to be in slam, which is almost solid. Facing example (a), he wants to stay out of slam as six needs both diamond honours onside, roughly a 25% proposition. Yet in all three cases, facing a 4 cuebid, responder will cuebid either 4 or 4. Opener will be sufficiently encouraged to cuebid again, or even launch into Blackwood, and as responder has no way of knowing that the Q is waste paper and the Q gold-dust, slam will be reached. Two times out of three that will be fine, but wouldn't it be nice if you could stay out of slam the third time?

Now imagine that instead of cuebidding opener makes a natural slam try of 4, focussing responder's attention on his diamond holding as well as just his controls in all suits.

(a)	Opener	Responder
	1	3
	4	4
	5	5
	Pass

Holding two aces, responder is worth a return cuebid below game but when opener cuebids a second time he signs off, realising that his diamond holding is very poor. 5 is not quite safe but it is difficult to stop at the four-level, even when playing natural slam trys.

(b)	Opener	Responder
	1	3
	4	5
	6	Pass

With a superb diamond holding, responder can cuebid above game. 6 is an alternative over 4, suggesting good spades and diamonds but nothing else to cuebid. Slam can hardly be bad if partner can invite it and you have such great holdings in both his suits.

(c)	Opener	Responder
	1	3
	4	4
	5	6
	Pass

Again responder cuebids and opener is encouraged to try again. Unlike example (a), however, responder is willing to bid the slam this time as he has the valuable Q. There can hardly be two aces missing if partner is bidding so strongly.
2 - 3 - ?

(ii)		A K Q 10 5
		K 3
		A Q 7 6 4
		5

The key to this hand will be partner's diamond holding (he is already known to hold an ace for the 3 response).

Make a 4 natural slam try.

(d)		J 8 4 3
		J 10 5
		8 5 2
		A K 7

Responder bids 4. With a bad diamond holding, do not go beyond game to cuebid. Opener will pass 4, knowing there is at least an ace and the K missing to explain the sign-off.

(e)		J 8 4 3
		A J 10
		8 5 2
		K 7 6

Bid 4. A cuebid below game does not promise the earth. Opener should now bid only 4, trusting responder to bid on with the K. With the actual hand, responder passes 4.

(f)		J 8 4 3
		A J 10
		K 5 2
		7 6 3

Bid 4 but this time continue with 5 over partner's 4 sign-off. Opener can now bid the slam.

(g)		J 8 4 3
		J 10 5
		K 5 2
		A 7 6

With a good diamond holding you can afford to cuebid above game. As you have bypassed 4, denying the ace, it should be clear that you hold the K, so opener will bid 6.