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- SLAM TRIES WITH TWO-SUITED HANDS
-
-
- As shown throughout these pages, there are many ways to make a slam
- try with a two-suited hand. A summary follows:
-
-
- With Both Majors
-
- When holding 5-5 or better in the majors, choose a Jacoby sequence
- with a marginal slam try hand:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 2H
- 2S 3H - forcing
-
- With a maximum hand and a fit in both majors, opener can now make
- a notrumper cue bid of 4C or 4D. Responder may be able to bid slam
- with this information.
-
- Another approach, also good with a marginal hand for slam, is to
- jump to 3S over 1NT, then bid 4H. Prefer this sequence when the
- spades are quite strong.
-
- With a stronger hand, prefer a Stayman sequence:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 2C
- 2D 2S
- 3D 3H
-
- The 3H bid is forcing, since opener has shown spade support with
- the 3D notrumper cue bid. Now responder may be able to get to slam
- even when opener has a minimum, if the hands fit well.
-
-
- With a Major and a Minor
-
- Use a Jacoby sequence:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 2H
- 2S 3C - forcing
-
-
- With Both Minors
-
- When the two suits are minors, a transfer sequence is preferable
- with a marginal slam try hand:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 2S - transfer to clubs
- 2NT/3C 3D - forcing
-
- Since this is the only way to show both minors without going past
- 3NT, there is no way for opener to tell whether the suits are of
- equal length or, if unequal, which suit is longer. However:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 2NT - transfer to diamonds
- 3C 4C - club suit too
- 4NT - sign-off, strong in the majors
-
- Here the clubs cannot be longer than the diamonds. Since this
- sequence bypasses 3NT, responder needs a pretty good hand. Another
- way to show this sort of hand:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 3D - strong hand with diamonds
- 3NT 4C - club suit too
- 4NT - sign-off, strong in majors
-
- You choose the second sequence when it is important to find about
- a third suit fit. With S-Q32 H-6 D-AKJ65 C-KQ65, you will rebid 3NT
- if opener makes a notrumper cue bid in hearts, and 4C if he rebids
- 3S or 3NT. The notrumper cue bid in spades could get you to a good
- slam opposite 16 HCP (give opener S-KJ5 H-AJ8 D-Q1097 C-AJ10) or
- keep you out of a doubtful slam (reverse your majors) even when
- opener fits your suits.
-
- With a strong hand and longer clubs than diamonds, responder can
- bid this way:
-
- Opener Responder
- 1NT 3C - strong hand with clubs
- 3NT 4D - second suit (shorter)
- 4NT - sign-off, strong in the majors
-