[silvr bull]

Playing with a random BBO partner and opponents, I has good fortune with the hand below. My view was that it would be very difficult to find out if an unknown partner had the two red kings or better that would make the slam an almost sure bet, and even if partner did not have the ♥A or K the opponents might guess wrong and lead a ♠. In retrospect, I am not sure I could have explored this hand properly with my best partner. How should this hand be bid even if east did not have the useless ♠K?

---

I also note that if partner had the ♠A instead of the ♥A, this story might not have had a happy ending. That just reinforces my view that it is better to be a lot lucky than a little good.

[PhilKing]

1♣-1♦
3♠-4♦(RKCB)
5♦(two + void)-5♥(queen?)
6♣(yes, and ♣K)-7♦

[steve2005]

never mind, thought u meant the 7D bid

[Codo]

1♣ 1 ♦
3♠ 4♣ (short- chicaneKC)
4♦4♥ (chicane, RCKB)
5♦5♥ (2+, Kings?)
6♣ 7♦ (K of C, no K in a major) ..enough...

[Zelandakh]

Acol
1♣ = 4+ clubs
... - 1♦ = 4+ diamonds
3♠ = splinter
... - 4♦ = slam try
5♥ = accept, 2 key cards with spade void
... - 5♠ = ♦Q?
6♣ = yes, and ♣K but not ♥K
... - 7♦


Acol with minimal agreements
1♣ - 1♦;
3♠ - 4♦;
4♠ - 5♥;
6♣ - 7♦ (maybe)


Strong Club
1♣ = 15+ nat/bal or 18+ any (this is way too good for a 2♣ opening!)
... - 1♥ = 4+ spades, GF (if bal or 3-suited then also 4+ hearts)
2♥ = 15-17, 6+ clubs, 4 diamonds
... - 2♠ = relay
3♠ = 0247
... - 4♣ = relay
4♠ = 5 controls
... - 5NT = Q ask
6♣ = no ♣Q
... - 6♦ = ♦Q?
6♥ = yes, but no ♥Q
... - 7♦


I think it is only fair to say that I could not guarantee to reproduce any of these ATB since there are many choices available. With a pick-up partner I would be perfectly happy to find the small slam. Pinpointing the grand requires either some agreements, some luck, or more "judgement" than my pick-up partners are likely to have, and more than I will probably ever have.


Finally, the question was asked about bidding this hand without the ♠K. I know most of you play [Transfer] Walsh and would presumably respond [1♥] 1♠ here (if not, remove the ♥J too). That makes bidding to 7♦ a much more interesting exercise.