With Bob Jones
Both vulnerable. North deals.
NORTH
S-7 4 3
H-6 5 3
D-K Q 2
C-A K Q 7
WEST EAST
S-10 S-9 8 6 2
H-A K 9 4 2 H-Q J 10 7
D-9 6 5 3 D-J 8 4
C-9 4 2 C-J 10
SOUTH
S-A K Q J 5
H-8
D-A 10 7
C-8 6 5 3
The bidding:
NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST
1C Pass 1S Pass
1NT Pass 2D- Pass
2S Pass 4H– Pass
6S Pass Pass Pass
-New minor forcing, asking for three-card spade support
–Splinter bid, at most one heart
Opening lead: Ace of H
Bidding methods have improved immensely over the years. Today’s auction includes two conventions that are universally employed by tournament players today. They are easy to use and very effective, so casual players would be well served to adopt them.
The first is “New Minor Forcing.” Responder bids the unbid minor after opener re-bids one no trump, to ask for information about opener’s major suits, usually looking for three-card support for his major. The bid promises at least invitational values, but is unlimited. That bid helped today’s North-South pair to locate their 5-3 spade fit.
The second convention is the “Splinter Bid.” It establishes suit agreement in the last bid suit and shows shortness in the bid suit, at most a singleton. This allows partner to evaluate the fit between the two hands outside of the trump suit. This can be the key to an excellent slam with much less than the usual 33 points.
South’s four-heart bid established spades as the trump suit and showed a singleton heart plus extra values — some hope for slam opposite a one no trump re-bid. North had an absolute maximum for his bidding and a perfect holding in hearts — no wasted values! What could partner have except solid spades and the ace of diamonds. He leaped to six hearts, confident that he had the perfect hand for partner. He did! The slam was all but cold and made easily. Well bid!
(Bob Jones welcome readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. E-mail responses may be sent to
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