Bidding to the correct slam.
Bridge Column for April 9, 2000, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Both sides vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: K 9                    
                              H: 10 8 5 4 2  
                              D: K 9 7 4 3   
                              C: 3       
            WEST                             EAST
            S: 8 7 3                         S: 6 5 4        
            H: Q J 9                         H: 7 6        
            D: J 8                           D: 6 5               
            C: K J 8 7 5                     C: A Q 10 9 4 2
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A Q J 10 2
                              H: A K 3      
                              D: A Q 10 2  
                              C: 6        
          The Bidding://
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   2C      Pass     2D      Pass
                   2S      Pass     3D      Pass
                   4D      Pass     4S      Pass
                   4NT     Pass     5D      Pass
                   6S      Pass     Pass    Pass
     This hand is from a team match at the Spring North American
Bridge Championships in Cincinnati last month.  I held the North
cards.  Al Freeman of Cleveland was my partner, sitting South. 
Our team mates at the other table were Gary Sikon of Huron and
Nick Barshay of Cleveland.  This hand proved to be the difference
in one of the matches that our team won.
     Freeman's two club opening is strong and artificial.  My two
diamond response was also artificial.  It is a waiting bid that
promises at least one control card, which is defined as an ace or
a king.  If I held a hand without a control card I would bid two
hearts, which is any hand without an ace or a king.
     Two spades is natural and three diamonds may well have been
the key bid in this auction.  If I held a really bad hand with
only one king, I would have bid three clubs, the cheapest suit
bid available.  But I have two kings and a singleton, so this is
not such a bad hand.  While many players would feel compelled to
show the five card heart suit, I felt it was better to bid a suit
that I had an honor card in.  If my partner held a heart suit, he
would bid it next and I could show support with ease.
     Freeman raised diamonds and I was now able to show my spade
support.  In this way, I was able to help him "place my values"
and decide if there was any slam potential.  He bid four no trump
which we play as Roman Key Card Blackwood.  Five diamonds showed
one of the five "key" cards which are defined as the four aces
and the king of trump.  Six spades was the final contract.
     A club lead provided the opposition with their only trick
and after trumps were drawn, Freeman's losing heart was discarded
on the long diamond trick in the dummy.  At the companion table,
the auction was similar except that the player in the North seat
showed his heart suit first.  South, with excellent heart
support, placed the final contract in six hearts.  If the defense
starts with any suit other than clubs, this contract will make. 
Our team mates did lead clubs, however, and the slam was
defeated.  
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