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Detail specifications 52CA - Level 1 ★

How to go to slam..

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How to go to a trump slam
A good chance to win a NT slam is to hold 33 points (HCP+L). For a grand slam, you need 37. When there is a trump and short suits, honors are worth more than in NT. The process to go to slam will be tougher and more precise.
  • First step : agree on a trump, use forcing bids
  • Second step : check all controls are there... In order not to fail right away !
  • Third and last step : Blackwood, to know about the pair Aces.

SWNE
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
3
K
7
5
3
A
9
A
K
Q
7
4
8
2
Exercise 20265 Pi is the agreed trump; the pair is going to start the controls and figure if a slam is possible or not.
 
 
How to go to a trump slam : find a trump suit, using the forcing sequences
Main sequences showing slam ambitions :
  • The responder's jump raise (in the opening suit) after a 1/1 shift
  • The responder's raise (in the opening suit) after a 2/1 shift
  • The responder's raise in one of the suits named by the opener, after a 4th suit forcing bid
  • The opener's raise, at level 4, of the responder's minor suit
  • The responder's raise at level 4 of the opener's minor suit
  • The responder's raise after a reverse
  • Splinters (both opener's or responder's)
  • Direct jump to 4NT in response to a level 1 opening
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
A
K
7
6
5
A
K
6
4
8
2
8
5
Exercise E20134 The responder has shifted (1/1), now he jumps in the opening suit. that's a support with slam ambitions. the pair is going to start checking the controls.
 
 
Controls
  • A suit is under control when there is only one loser on the lead.
  • Controls are always featured step by step skipping a suit means a control denial.
  • When a suit is not under control, the last player gets back to the trump suitC'est un arrêt.

Controls for a trump contract :
  • Ace or void (1st rank control : if the suit is led, you don't lose a trick)
  • K or singleton (2nd rank control : if the suit is led, you lose 1 trick and no more)
A
K
6
A
Q
9
5
2
J
3
8
4
2
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
5
K
J
10
6
A
K
Q
10
4
Q
6
5
Problem E6197 3♠ control initiation : ♠ is the 1st control
4 ♣ = ♣ control
North skips the ♥ suit, therefore, he doesn't control it. South doesn't control ♥ suit neither. They must stop at 4♥.
 
Q
J
8
4
A
A
Q
9
4
K
8
6
2
SWNE
1
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5NT
Pass
7
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
K
10
9
3
K
Q
10
7
6
K
8
3
Problem E9465 All controls are here. Time to check the Aces with a Blackwood.
 
 
RKC Blackwood (30-41)
RKC Blackwood is asking for the keys, not only the Aces. there are 5 keys : 4 Aces and K of trump. We recommend the 41-30 response (check guideline 64JD), instead of the 30-41, more common, which is :
  • 5♣ : 3 or 0 key(s)
  • 5♦ : 4 or 1 key(s)
  • 5♥ : 2 keys
  • 5♠ : 2 keys and Q of trump
  • 5NT : 2 keys and a void
  • "6something" : 3 or 1 key(s) and a void in the named suit
Q
J
8
4
A
A
Q
9
4
K
8
6
2
SWNE
1
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5NT
Pass
7
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
K
10
9
3
K
Q
10
7
6
K
8
3
Problem E9465 5NT = 2 keys and a void. In this sequence, it's obvious : the void is ♦.
 
 
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