Here is a hand that took place during place in the World Championship quarter final match between Canada and USA I. It is an exercise in constructive bidding, trying to investigate slam.

A couple of observations that should be noted. First the vulnerability. Sometimes players open the bidding not vul with lighter than normal values, even as dealer. Also, partner is vulnerable which should indicate solid overcalling values.

But it is still a one level overcall. And could be made with 7 HCPs, as long as their suit is good.

Still with 18 points (16 HCP and 2 for singleton) is enough to force to game.

The choices are:

1. A cuebid

2. A splinter

3. A natural and forcing 2♣ or 2♥.

First a splinter is wrong. Why? Because although descriptive it won’t help you. The goal is to find out about partner’s hand.

The problem is partner with a minimum type overcall will not cooperate with the right type of hand. This is true also for the cue bid. Both of these bids were chosen at the table, unsuccessfully. A better call is a suit.

2♣, in my opinion, is the right bid. 2♥ is wrong as it should be reserved for a five card suit, and like the splinter, it uses up more space. Partner held ♠AJ10843 ♥3 ♦75 ♣QJ75. The bidding should continue then:

¹Game forcing

²Ihave six spades, (and by inference four clubs, otherwise north would simply have bid 2♠ over 2♣).

³Cue bid

⁴Cue bid

⁵Surprise!

The other option for South is to simply ask for key cards after the club raise.

Lessons to Learn

1)It is usually better for the stronger hand to elicit information from partner, than try to show extra strength.

2)It is best to play a new suit forcing by an unpassed hand.

3)Remember that constructive bidding over a one overcall is much different than a one level opening bid, and allowance must be made for the difference in strength.

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