Vul:None Dlr: S	Q75 AQ104 A1085 75
K1082 52 962 QJ94		AJ964 J9 Q4 10862
	3 K8763 KJ73 AK3

West	North	East	South
			1
Pass	2NT*	Pass	3**
Pass	4	Pass	4

*Jacoby 2NT

**Spade singleton or void

The Auction:

South has a routine 1 opening bid and West passes. North has 12 HCP plus one for the doubleton (add for that since North is raising hearts). That is enough to force to game. A very popular convention is shown in the diagram—theConventional GF 2NT response to 1M to show 4+ card support Jacoby 2NTresponse. This was invented by the same person (Oswald Jacoby) who invented the also-popular Jacoby Transfers.

The jump-response of 2NT (by an unpassed hand with no interference) is artificial. It shows enough for game and at least four-card support. It is used only after a major-suit opening bid with no interference.

East passes and now South’s bids are conventional. With a flat (no singletons or voids) minimum, opener would jump directly to four of the major. With shortness, opener bids it—so that explains the 3 bid in the diagram. It means that the opener has a void or singleton in spades. This bid is alertable. It says nothing about strength (it could be a minimum, medium or maximum in HCP).

What should responder do over 3? North knows the Q is wasted, but still should make one move. In potential slam auctions, possession of strong trump is a big positive. North’s hearts are great and North also has that nice-looking A. The 4 bid shown is called a “control-bid.” It is not alertable, but it doesn’t mean that North is showing a diamond suit.

Once trumps are established (hearts in this case), a bid of a new suit on the four level shows the ace, king, a void, or a singleton. Also, since North skipped over clubs, it denies a club “control.”

Now what?

Opener has a tough decision. On the plus side:

- More than a dead minimum in HCP

- Nice controls (aces/kings instead if a quacky hand)

- Clubs controlled (a suit partner is surely worried about)

But, on the minus side, opener’s trumps are quite poor. King-jack-nine fifth or even King-ten-nine-fifth would be much more attractive.

My most important consideration in slam auctions is trump quality and king-empty fifth is not great. Accordingly, I’ve shown opener taking the low road of bidding only 4.

Responder has already shown interest (with the 4 control bid), so should now pass.

Four hearts is an easy contract; just a matter of overtricks.

Opening Lead

West has three attractive choices. The QJ9 in clubs isn’t quite as safe as QJ10, but on this auction, the Q is likely to be safe. Dummy shouldn’t have the dreaded K10x or A10x (opposite the other honor). Why not? North bypassed 4 to control-bid 4, so shouldn’t have a club honor.

A spade is also attractive. From the king? Normally that would be dangerous, but here, declarer showed shortness. The lead can’t be running into declarer’s ace-queen when declarer has a singleton or void. Nor can dummy win the queen with declarer playing low from ace-low. Whenever declarer has shown shortness, that is usually a good suit to lead—because it won’t cost, and it can make declarer start using up long trumps.

Even a trump from two low is fairly safe. Partner won’t have Qxx or AJx on this auction. The opponents have at least 9 trumps, so you won’t solve any guesses for declarer.

The Play

On any lead but a diamond, declarer has received no help. A spade trick has to be lost, but how should the diamonds be played? This is a basic two-way guess for the queen. The double-dummy analyzer will surely say 12 tricks—it can see where the missing Q is located. In real life, declarer has some technique to try, but nothing really too attractive here. Any diamond break can be picked up, because North-South have some useful spot cards below the ten.

A throw-in won’t work –the opponents never have to break diamonds or issue a ruff-sluff. They can easily exit in spades. Is there any inference to be drawn from the opening lead and play to the first few tricks? Not really.

This is pretty much a 50-50 guess. Once trump are drawn (and this is definitely a “draw trump” hand) and prove to be 2-2, I might think along the following lines: If West had a singleton diamond, that would have been the opening lead (and West might have entered the bidding with 10 blacks cards). So, West won’t have a singleton in diamonds. However, East might (West would have no reason to lead a diamond from Qxxx). Accordingly, I’d start diamonds with the king and then lead the jack. West might have Q9xx and I’ll make 6. East won’t have Q9xx.

How’d I do? I lost a diamond trick and made only 11 tricks. At least I’m honest. And at least I didn’t bid six down one.

Lesson Points:

1) When supporting partner, add points for side shortness.

2) The Jacoby 2NT convention is used after partner’s (1^st or 2^nd seat) 1-of-a-Major opening when followed by a Pass.

3) After responder’s Jacoby 2NT, opener’s new suit on the three level shows a singleton or void (alertable).

4) Bids above three of a major (once a fit has been established) are control-bids showing the ace, king, void or singleton. They are not alertable.

5) Leading declarer’s side-suit shortness is a good strategy.