Teams

EW Vul E Dealer	♠ 7 6 ♥ J 9 7 6 4 ♦ Q J ♣ A 9 8 7
♠ 9 8 ♥ A 8 3 2 ♦ A 10 9 6 2 ♣ 6 3		♠ A K Q 10 5 2 ♥ K Q 10 ♦ 4 ♣ K Q 10
	♠ J 4 3 ♥ 5 ♦ K 8 7 5 3 ♣ J 5 4 2

2♣=21HCP or 3 losers
3♦=8+ HCP and at least 5♦
4♥=Showing 5♦ and 4♥
4NT=RKC for Hearts
5♥=2 Keycards no Q of Hearts

We made 10 tricks. Which is all you can make in Hearts.
My question is how should we have bid to 6♠ which makes 12 tricks. My partner and I don’t seem eye to eye on what the correct auction should be, as we’ve come across different teachings. Happy to take on board your thoughts.
Thanks Andy

Hi Moira,

2♣ auctions can be difficult to handle when you have good hands because the 2♣ opening itself already preempts the auction a little. Although I slightly prefer a 1♠ opening with the East hand (i.e. if partner passes 1♠, it’s unlikely we would have missed a game – though possible, but I’d rate it unlikely), let’s say we do open 2♣ which is fine. With the West hand, I would just start with a 2♦ waiting response. Jumping to 3♦ is the most preemptive bid, and it is hindering opener from showing their suit(s) at a convenient level. I prefer to play 2♦ as waiting rather than a negative bid (some people like to also play a 2♥ response as a “double negative”, showing 0-4 HCP and no ace). My auction would be something like:
2♣ – 2♦
2♠ – 3♦
3♠ – ?
Now that opener has shown 6+♠, the spade fit will then have been found. Although Westt hasn’t yet expressed much about their points, the slam can probably be reached from here as responder has a fit, a doubleton (potentially ruffing value), and two aces to boot. Responder might now just jump to 4NT to RKCB in spades.

Hope that helps,
Andy