Hand Question 31
Bidding Question
The bidding went something like (P), 1S, (P), 2H, (P), 2S, (P), 4S. Everybody in $S made 10 tricks. Those in 4H or 3N made 12 tricks. In discussion my partner argued that since my spades were so poor and had a singleton heart and good stops in the other two suits, the hand was better for defence so I should have passed instead of opening 2S despite my 13.5 HCPs. Myself, I wondered whether my partner had a better rebid than 4S bid. Possibly a somewhat lying 3C? What do you think of these two choices?
Bernard's Answer
South has an exciting hand and needs to try for slam after 2S: if partner has the minimum hand below, then slam is reasonable S AQJ543 H 2 D A43 C 543 Not only is there a slam chance, it is really important to remember that 1S - 2H - leaves no room for opener to bid a second suit, so opener will have five spades a lot of the time. 3C is definitely the best continuation, over which North would rebid 3NT, which should surely finish the auction. South might toy with the idea of a slam try here, but the HJ singleton is the key card which allows for the enhanced potential. Could North have done more? You might dredge up a 1NT rebid - upgrading the HJ in partner's suit and holding a ten and nine and a 5-card suit, but this is definitely a stretch. However, you are certainly closer to an upgrade than a downgrade to below an opening bid.