500
Suit Slams
What works best is when there is a good trump fit and each player has a different
short suit. Unbalanced hands take more tricks at a trump contract than balanced hands.
Bidding a slam in a trump suit contract
You should hold a strong combined trump suit: If you have any doubts about bidding a slam its better to
play the hand in game.
- 33 or more revalued points between the two hands
- An eight-card trump suit fit or longer
- At least three of the four aces between you and partner
- No two immediate losers in any one suit
The two hands below have the combined cards and values that can make a small slam in a suit contract
North
West
East
South
First Round and Second Round controls
A first-round control is a holding which prevents the opponents from taking the first round of the suit.
For example aces and voids are first round controls..
A second-round control is a holding which prevents the opponents from taking the second round of the
suit. For example Kings and singletons are second round controls.
Bidding a Grand Slam in a Trump Suit
You should hold a strong combined trump suit: If you have any doubts about bidding a Grand Slam its
better to play the hand in a Small Slam.
- 37 + points between the two hands for a Grand Slam (7 level)
- 32 + points between the two hands for a Mini Slam (6 level)
- An eight-card trump suit fit or longer
- At least three of the four aces between you and partner
- Controls in all Suits
Partner Opens 2C (Game Forcing hand of unknown shape and 23+ points)
With this hand what is your response to this opening bid?
- ♠ K 8 4 3
- ♥ Q J 9 6 5
- ♦ Q T 8 3
- ♣ -
Bid 2H showing 8+ points and a 5 card heart suit