This real deal comes from Martin Hunter.

Vul:EW Dlr: North	AK7 AQJ852 K952 --
Q642 1094 1043 J72		J93 763 J AKQ965
	1085 K AQ876 10843

West	North	East	South
	1	2	2
Pass	6	All Pass

A Fast Auction to Slam

North has a beautiful hand with “only” 17 HCP but worth so much more. Still, we don’t open such hands with 2. You would need about another king. There is no exact definition (other than if balanced, 22+) for 2, but this just isn’t enough.

East wants to get those clubs into the picture, but the vulnerability is adverse (vul against not). Usually, a 2-level overcall is roughly opening bid strength. East’s hand is close enough; those great clubs make me get in with an overcall. I am not brave enough to preempt to the 3 level at these colors!

South should have 10+ points and a 5+ card suit for a “free” new-suit bid on the two level. Even if you play 2-over-1 game forcing, it does not apply after the overcall. South is a bit light for 2, but I’ve shown it anyway. Why? All the points are in good places. The king is in partner’s suit. The other high cards are in the long suit. That makes it close enough for me to get my 5-card diamond suit into the picture. The alternatives of pass or a negative double (without the other major) are less appealing. If South’s 9 HCP were instead, QJ2 2 K5432 QJ32, I wouldn’t dream of bidding 2 (I would pass).

West has club support, but not nearly enough to raise. After his Pass, it is time for North to go big!

North’s Gigantic Leap

Facing a 5+ card diamond suit and 10+ points, North should envision slam. Adding 10 HCP (partner’s expectancy) to North’s 17 gives only 27. But, look at the shape! Four-card trump support and a void in the opponent’s suit are awesome. Combine that with the controls and trick-taking ability, you couldn’t get me to stop short of slam. Can you picture a facing hand with 5+ diamonds and 10+ points where slam doesn’t have play?

There are scientific ways to explore for seven (one is an animal called “Exclusion Keycard Blackwood”), but let’s keep it simple. You rarely will do badly for bidding six, making an overtrick. The other players won’t have the tools to reach 7, and you should be happy that you recognize how great North’s hand is. Your 6 leap buys the contract, and there won’t be much to the play.

The Opening Lead

West has no reason to lead anything but partner’s suit. From honor-low-low, we lead low. On this deal, the opening lead is irrelevant.

The play

If everything splits reasonably, there are 13 top tricks (6 hearts, 5 diamonds and 2 spades). This is a “draw trump and claim” hand. However, there is one small lesson in the trump suit.

Should declarer start with the king from dummy or with a high card from the South hand? Don’t confuse this with AQ10xx opposite K9xx. In that case, you should start with the ace (or queen). If someone shows out, you will know they are 4-0 and can finesse either opponent for the jack. This actual diamond suit is quite different. If they are 2-2 or 3-1, nothing matters. But, if they are 4-0, there is only one 4-0 break you can negotiate for no losers. The J10xx would need to be in front of the AQ876 (the hand with the two honors over the jack and ten). Lay down the K to start. If everyone follows, finish drawing trump and soon claim. If on the K, RHO shows out, you never could have done anything about that. If LHO shows out, you can still pick up diamonds without loss. Lead another and cover RHO’s card. If needed, go back to dummy and finesse again. If you don’t see it, try laying out the J10xx of diamonds in various ways. Plus 940 should be a decent score for North-South (yes, 6, 7 or 7 are better, but not easy to reach).

Lesson Points

1) Don’t open 2 with a promising hand unless you have lots of points/controls. Go slowly with a one-level opening.

2) A two-level overcall is usually close to opening bid values.

3) For responder, a free bid on the two level is approximately 10+ points, forcing one round but not to game.

4) Shape and controls are key for slam—not HCP.

5) From three to an honor in partner’s suit, lead low (not the honor).

6) With Kxxx opposite AQ9xx, the only 4-0 break that can be picked up is when the J10xx are in front of (playing before) the AQ9xx. Start the suit with the king.