[mikeh]

For me 5♣ is a splinter: I cannot imagine a hand that would want to insist upon playing 5♣ on this auction (ok, x x xx QJxxxxxxx... I think a splinteris more frequent and I can bid 4♣ then 5♣ with this).

I don't mind 4minor as being a force agreeing ♥, but in that case, let me bid 4♦.. where I live. But I can imagine a hand on which I might want to suggest a minor contract (rather than insist upon it): x xxx QJ9xxx xxx: I will pass 4♥ (or 4♠) but would be delighted to catch AKxxx AKQx AKx x as an example.

Now 4♦ fetches an immediate 6♦... unbiddable otherwise.. surely not going to the 5-level over 3♥?

[Walddk]

mikeh, on Oct 6 2005, 09:00 PM, said:

I don't mind 4minor as being a force agreeing ♥, but in that case, let me bid 4♦.. where I live.

The advantage of letting 4♣ be the slam try agreeing hearts ("last train") is that it leaves room for opener to cue bid or not cue bid 4♦. If he does not, responder signs off in 4♥, and if he does, responder now jumps to 5♥, which must show a hand similar to this.

5 trumps, no control in either black suit.

Roland

[cherdano]

Walddk, on Oct 6 2005, 08:29 PM, said:

However, with the actual hand I don't think 5♥ is the best bid available if you want to make a move towards slam (which you have plenty for). I think 4♣ is the expert bid!

That must surely agree hearts and serve as a slam try.

I never get statements like this. If you have agreed with partner that it agrees hearts and is a slam try, it is. If you haven't agreed with partner that it agrees hearts and is a slam try, would you really bid this at the table and hope partner figures this out?? Especially as you had no chance to bid a natural 3♣ in the previous round.

[Walddk]

cherdano, on Oct 6 2005, 09:10 PM, said:

If you haven't agreed with partner that it agrees hearts and is a slam try, would you really bid this at the table and hope partner figures this out?? Especially as you had no chance to bid a natural 3♣ in the previous round.

But I actually have that agreement, and I think it's a good one too. Opener has at least 9 cards in the majors; therefore it's rather pointless to let 4♣ be natural on an auction like this.

Roland