Hand Question 31
Bidding Question
The bidding went something like (P), 1S, (P), 2H, (P), 2S, (P), 4S. Everybody in 6S 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, 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.