Another
deal from the Tollemache final in February, reported by Michael
Newman who was kibitzing the event.
"Only
eight out of sixteen tables managed to reach the laydown grand
slam in clubs. John Holland and John Hassett were among
the eight successful pairs in this regard.
I
was watching Holland/Hassett bid this hand and John Holland
took over 30 seconds before deciding to respond one diamond
rather than one spade. If the South hand was a weak
notrump then checkback would still allow a possible spade fit
to come to light. I believe that this was the key bid in
making it so much easier to reach the grand slam. Once
South jumped to two hearts North knew that it was simply a
question of small or grand slam. North was clearly too
strong to sign off in three notrump after South continued with
three diamonds and so simply bid four clubs. Now South
bid RKCB and one keycard in the North hand was
confirmed. Now South asked for specific kings or
alternatively by bidding five notrump is saying 'do you fancy
a grand slam?'. In these circumstances it is generally
accepted that the asker must have at least one of the kings
excluding the king of trumps. So North knew that South
must have at least AKQ to six clubs and AK to four hearts plus
the ace of diamonds. Therefore, barring exceptionally
bad distribution, there must be thirteen tricks available in
clubs.
The
other Manchester pair failed to reach the grand slam partly
because North chose to respond one spade at his first
bid. The difference being that the jump shift of
two hearts in the Holland/Hassett sequence showed at least
nineteen points and was unconditionally forcing to game
whereas after a response of one spade a reverse into two
hearts only showed a good sixteen or more points."
Thanks to Michael Newman. |
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