Wake up call

First hand of the day in the weekly money game, I picked up  AKxxx    KJ109x   void   A8x, and my partner Keith opened 1 Spade !!

I could bid 3C (forcing raise in spades – like most people’s 2NT)

I could bid 5D (Exclusion Key Card Blackwood)

I could bid 3 H (Game forcing and fit showing  – at least 5 good hearts and four spades)

Or I could bid 2 Hearts – which is what I bid.

My left hand opponent chirped 3 clubs now. Keith offered up 3 Hearts (forcing to game)

Now I felt really smart. I bid 5NT – grand slam force in hearts – figuring I would find out the key info on the hand this way.

Keith jumped to 7 hearts.

I had always planned to bid 7 spades now, but I was a bit concerned that would leave the other guy on lead – and we might be in danger of a heart ruff.

Anyway, I came this far, so I finished the job by converting 7 hearts to 7 spades. Everyone passed (but Keith after thinking for some time)

The full lay out was :

 

Dealer: East Vul: No one		Ross
		♠	AK543
		♥	KJ1093
		♦	Void
		♣	A83
West				East
♠	J9			♠	2
♥	8754			♥	2
♦	QJ7642			♦	109853
♣	7			♣	KJ10965
		Keith
		♠	Q10876
		♥	AQ6
		♦	AK
		♣	Q42

 

Keith was thinking of converting to 7NT – but he was not 100% sure about the club Ace in my hand, and decided not to risk it. I was lucky that my LHO had a heart – especially when West was clever enough to lead one.

Note that if East had been void in hearts his best chance to go plus would be NOT to double us in 7 Spades, since then Keith would for sure bid 7NT.

Similarly  I suppose if East had been void in hearts he could double 7 H then hope we run to 7 Spades, and leave that alone !

Ah, ’tis a tangled web we weave. +1510 to the good guys and we were now fully awake for the rest of the session.

Post mortem – Keith suggested the auction would go better had I responded 3 Hearts – fit showing and forcing to game. At some point he would have bid KCB for spades and he would be able to divine 13 iron clad tricks in no trump. (No possible enemy ruffs)