North
Q 9 5 4
Q 8 6
A 6 3
A 10 2
East
J 10 8
J 9 7 3
8 4
J 8 7 6
West
7 6 3 2
A 4 2
K J 2
9 5 3
South
A K
K 10 5
Q 10 9 7 5
K Q 4
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 1NT 1 | pass | 4NT 2 |
| pass | 5H 3 | pass | 5S 4 |
| pass | pass 5 | pass |
- Easy enough, Acol weak NT
- Well there is at least game on here. We play Gerber, I think, but really it’s just a point count decision. I seem to remember that 4NT is a slam try, pass or convert to 6NT if maximum.
- We’ve not discussed Gerber, so this must be Blackwood. Standard response for two aces.
- Oh dear he thinks it’s Blackwood. We have settled on NT, but will he take 5NT as a sign off or asking for Kings? I remember now, 5 spades is an artificial bid asking to be converted to 5NT.
- What is 5 spades, not in my book. Must be a sign off in his best suit.
This hand exposed an immature partnership but did not penalise it. We ended up in 5 spades with only six between us. A club was led. Play the diamonds carefully and draw trumps with crossed fingers, and it makes for a top. There’s no justice.