Hand Question 25
Hand from Club Duplicate

I thought you might like to see hand 24 from club duplicate last Monday . What would you have done as south? Nobody Vulnerable and dealer was west. I was south. My hand had 7 diamonds to the Ace, Queen Jack , King Queen spades, Ace 6 hearts and Ace Queen Clubs. 22 points and only 4 losers. I was excited. What to bid?. 2NT, 2 clubs , or even 2 diamonds. I was mulling this over when to my surprise my partner opened 1 spade. Wow! Now I was even more excited. He would have 12 points at least and with my 22 that made 34 so only 6 points between the opposition. Some kind of slam was on. What to bid now?. Take it slowly so I just bid a simple 2 diamonds. Now my partner bid 2 hearts. He was strong in both Majors but I only had 2 of each . Now what? Did partner have the ace of spades ? I didn’t know how to find that. The opposition could only have one ace as I had three. If they did have an ace they couldn’t have a king as well. I thought for a while. 4NT wo
Bernard's Answer
As you suggest, once your partner opens, you know you are slam bound and your job is to try to work out the best way of working out whether you should be in a Grand Slam. I think as long as you play specific king responses to 5NT I would launch in to Blackwood straight away since I feel if I can find out if partner has the SA and DK then I can go for the grand slam, When partner shows no aces, then I can sign off in 6NT expecting partner to hold the missing kings.
