E has 21 HCP and opens 2 NT, W responds with Stayman bid of 3 C and when E bids S goes to 3NT. Since W has 10 HCP is there a better bid to invite to slam?
Vic:
The standard for a small slam
in NT is 33 HCPs total between the two hands. East has 10 HCPs which means they
have a right to expect the total to be no higher than 31 HCPs & possibly
only 30 HCPS. Suit contract slams can often be made with fewer than 33
HCPs, but East has no reason to believe they have a suit golden fit.
Having said that, there are better bids that should have been made that would have probably resulted in a small slam contract. But both should have been made earlier in the auction. And both should have been made by East.
First Better Bid: Using all my toes + fingers to help me count, I have concluded that East has 22 (not 21) HCPs. Assuming the standard partnership agreement of 20-21 HCPs to open 2NT, East is too strong to do so. I would open the East hand with a Strong 2C bid (22+), planning to bid 2NT (22-24 HCPs - balanced) with my second chance to call. Knowing that East has at least 22 HCPs should make West especially interested in getting to slam.
Second Better Bid: Over 3C (Stayman) by West, East should bid 2H (not 2S). In other words, East should bid "up the line", regardless of the strength of their two 4-card majors. Bidding 2H first, promises a 4-card heart suit, but does not deny also having a 4-card spade suit. Bidding 2S first, promises a 4-card spade suit & does deny a 4-card heart suit. The way East bid the hand resulted in the partners never finding their heart fit.
Knowing about the additional HCP plus the heart fit, I would expect West to make sure the partners get to small slam in hearts. Turns out EW deserve to make 6C or 6H or 6NT.
Ain't bridge a great game?
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