Wow! Lots to say about this hand. Where to start?
First: Assuming the very common agreement that 1NT opening bids promise 15-17 points, West is too strong to open 1NT. I would open 1C, anticipating a second call of 2NT, assuming partner (Responder) does anything other than Pass. More on this later.
Given that West apparently opened 1NT, one of the two FREE DAILY HANDS on "Bridge Clues" this morning suggests a bidding scheme for a hand almost exactly like this one.
Do you do "Bridge Clues"? If not, I suggest you give it a try. There are 6 free hands you can bid or play for free that rotate daily circa 6:00 PM (2 New Player - 2 Level One - 2 Level Two). A series of questions (followed by the answers) leads you thru each hand. Rarely, are the hands not level appropriate & very well done. Google: "Bridge Clues" Choose: "Get Started"
Bridge Clues Suggestion for Above Hand (assume West improperly opens 1NT - EW are Passing): 1NT (15-17) - 2C (Stayman) - 2S (promises 4 spades - denies 4 hearts) - 4NT (Quantitative Slam Try - asks opener to jump to 6NT holding the maximum 17 points OR Pass holding 15-16) - 6NT
Question: How does Opener know that 4NT is Quantitative rather than Blackwood with spades as the trump suit?
Answer: The partners need to have discussed the matter in advance & agreed that in this specific scenario 4NT is quantitative.
Alternate Possibility: Rather than making a Stayman bid first (looking for a possible heart fit), Responder can simply bid 4NT on their first call. Since no suit has yet been mentioned, that makes it more obvious that 4NT must be Quantitative & not Blackwood.
Suppose West Opens 1C (as first suggested above). Auction with EW Passing): 1C - 1H (forcing - does not deny 4 spades) - 2S (jump shift promises 19+ points & most likely 4 spades - game forcing) - 6NT
Comment: Played in a typical
competitive game format, the different bidding sequences on this one would be a
hoot. Many will probably not make 6NT.
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