Evening star., 1933-12-04

high II tackled onto hands on which
two or more tricks must be lost, while
the earlier rounds of bidding are fully
required in order to settle the game
situation, let alone any aspirations to
Slam Natural bidding will take care of
our needs just as effectively as artificial
devices, and that without endangering
hands which have nothing to spare
above the game contract. Natural re-
sponses are far more helpful than forced
responses; if, therefore, forcing re-
sponse or rebid is made, partner should
be able to rely on it absolutely and to
take very positive action without any
kind of confirmation Of the force.
81 tlt A Grand Slam.
I was asked how the partners would
reach a grand slam in spades on the
following hand under my system:
North hand (dealer)
ss:. sp; 4 4 < a11x q. cl. Xxx Xxx
South hand:
sp. Jxx Di. AK1oox
Hts. Xxx CT. A X 10
North bids a spade, obviously. Should
South now force with three diamonds?
A Good Reason for Avoiding a Force
at This Point.
could not blame South for bidding
three diamonds with timid partner
given to shaded opening bids; how
ever, with this terrific hand the grand
slam angle is Immediately apparent;
consequently, would seek for natural
rebid by North which I could trust
rather than forced and, therefore, arti-
fetal response which would not tell
me what need to know. Since North
"a dyed-in-the-wool Sims player
opened as dealer. South knows that
North Has A Natural Rebid Over Any
Constructive. Though Minimum,
Response
and should bid only two diamonds.
Time to force on the next round if
North signs of with two spades. Again,
If North's spades are not long and
strong, South's spade support may not
be adequate; and his diamond suit Is
far from solid. AS you know, jump
take-out in the Sims system means
either fine support for partners suit,
or virtual independence of that suit
because the suit in which you force is
solid and. needs no trump support.
Neither condition prevails here
A Surprising Rebid.
North's rebid is three spades-a lee
way force asking for as informative as
possible a response to decide whether
to play for game in no trunps or spades
He is willing to gamble on the clubs
II souths response Is three no trumpS,
he also tells South that he needs prac-
tica1ly spade support How infinitely
more valuable this response is over two
diamonds than it would be over threet
Now South Must Make the Decision
and Take the Strain.
South's next bid should be seven
spades. He knows that North, having
nothing in either minor suit, can do
no more; he also knows that North's
bid can only be based on long. solid
spades and at least the ace in hearts.
The only danger is If North has three
small diamonds, or if a long diamond
or two cannot be set up by ruffing. The
grand slam was easily made; actually
had sat South I would have expected
my partner to show up with @ in
diamonds and the ace of hearts on his
Jump rebid. or else short diamonds and
ace-king of hearts. Anyhow, the chances
are so good that seven should be bid
even If it turned out that only six
should be made because of bad luck
in the diamond suit Further, the long
spade suit may suffice to squeeze out
their minor suits protection.
(Copyright, 1889
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