Minor suit slams can cause problems.
Bridge Column for April 25, 2003, Harvey Bernstein
Both sides vulnerable.  East deals.
                              North
                              S: 7 5 2            
                              H: 10 8 7 6    
                              D: Q 4 2   
                              C: K Q 8   
            West                             East
            S: A 6 4 3                       S: J 10 9     
            H: Q 5                           H: K J 9 4 3 2
            D: 10 8 7 5 3                    D: J 9 6             
            C: 10 4                          C: J           
                              South                         
                              S: K Q 8 
                              H: A          
                              D: A K       
                              C: A 9 7 6 5 3 2 
          The Bidding:  
                  East  South    West    North                    
                  Pass   2C      Pass     2D     
                  Pass   3C      Pass     4C     
                  Pass   4NT     Pass     5C    
                  Pass   6C      Pass     Pass
                  Pass  
     This hand was dealt at a local duplicate game and was the
subject of a great deal of discussion after the game.  The
auction shown is only a suggestion of what might lead to the
right contract.  In reality, everyone did not see the hand this
way.  
     In some cases, East opened a weak two heart bid.  This
creates a lot of trouble for South.  Should he double and then
bid clubs freely or should he just bid what he thinks he can make
opposite a hand that he knows nothing about?  If he decides to
double, what should North bid?
     The best way for South to evaluate this hand is to try and
determine what is the minimun that he needs from North to be able
to make five, six, or seven clubs.  If North has the jack of
spades and two or three small clubs, South should be able to make
eleven tricks.  The jack of spades and the king doubleton of
clubs should give him a good play for twelve tricks.  The ace of
spades and the king doubleton of clubs will give him a play for
all thirteen tricks.
     If East does not open a weak two bid, South must decide
whether he wants to open with a one club bid or with whatever bid
his partnership uses to show a game forcing hand.  If he elects
to open one club, he must then decide what to do after a one
heart response.  An off-shape two no trump may work, but
remember, that bid is not forcing and you may find yourself
playing that contract when five clubs is ice cold.
     The auction shown should lead to the right contract and a
great score of +1370.  Some South's will find their way to six no
trump for an even better score of +1430 when West doesn't find
the heart lead.  The majority will play three no trump making two
or three overtricks, depending on the opening lead.  
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.