Posted 2012-August-01, 18:23
He should have a weak hand with five trumps, or maybe four trumps and a singleton. Something like:
♠98632
♥J2
♦Q83
♣K62
or,
♠9632
♥4
♦Q762
♣A973
If you increased either of the HCP in those hands, once it reached about 9, he would be good enough for a 3♦ bid (showing an invitational raise or better), and in the second hand, if you raised it to about 12+ he would have enough for a 4♥ splinter.
There is a way of deciding whether you have enough power for a trump slam when one of you has a shortage. The other person counts 2 points for their ace in that shortage and no points for any other card in that suit. If you have a total of 26, you can probably make a slam. Let's give pard the best possible hand, 8 HCP and a shortage:
If pard's shortage is in hearts, you have 8 + 12 = 20. Not nearly enough, plus QJ trumps wastage.
If pard's shortage is in clubs, you have 8 + 17 = 25. Not quite enough. Also, the doubleton is wastage, as is the QJ of trumps (you'd be way better off if they were in hearts).
If pard's shortage is in diamonds, that is complete wastage, not even worth considering.
So under best case scenario you still don't have enough, even if you moved your high cards around so there was less wastage. And don't forget he might have a balanced yarborough with five spades, you might end up being grateful to make 4♠ (imagine he has 3 small hearts and no aces - you won't make 4♠).
I ♦ Transfers