5NT Pick a Slam by David Bird

In this quiz, we will look at a very useful move that you can make in slam auctions.

When you are happy to bid a slam but are uncertain which slam it should be, you can bid 5NT. Unless this is a follow-up to a Blackwood 4NT, the meaning will be: 'partner, please choose a slam.'

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 9 2
♥ A Q 8 7 2
♦ A J 6
♣ A K 4

Q: 1 - You show your hearts with a 2♦ transfer. What will you bid next?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1NT	Pass
2♦	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 5NT. You want to be in a slam, but you are uncertain which slam it should be. You cannot just bid 6♥ because your partner might have a doubleton heart.

Over 5NT, your partner may bid 6♥ (with a heart fit) or 6NT. He might also bid 6♣ or 6♦ with a five-card minor, which would suit you fine here. You would have a ruffing value in spades.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q 5 3
♥ K 7 2
♦ A K 10 4
♣ Q 7

Q: 2 - Partner responds 2♥ to your Stayman bid, but you do not have a fit there. What will you bid next?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1NT	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♥	Pass
?

A: 5NT. Partner has responded 2♥ to your Stayman bid, but you don't have four hearts with him. 4NT now would be a non-forcing limit bid.

You do best to bid a pick-a-slam 5NT. Partner can then bid 6♠ if he holds four spades. You would accept an offer of 6♦. Over 6♣, you would bid 6NT.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K J 3
♥ 7
♦ A J 9 7 3
♣ J 10 7 6

Q: 3 - What will you bid next?

South	West	North	East
-	-	2♣	Pass
2♦	Pass	2♥	Pass
3♦	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: 5NT. Partner has suggested game-in-hand, and you are contributing quite a bit extra. It's not too much of a stretch to imagine a slam somewhere, but which slam?

At the table, South ventured a pick-a-slam 5NT and this was the deal:

♠ 9 6 4 2

♥ Q J 9 2

♦ Q 6 2

♣ 9 2

♠ A Q

♥ A K 10 8 5 3

♦ K

♣ A K 8 4

♠ K J 3

♥ 7

♦ A J 9 7 3

♣ J 10 7 6

♠ 10 8 7 5

♥ 6 4

♦ 10 8 5 4

♣ Q 5 3

Over 5NT, North suggested 6♣. This suited South fine, and the best contract was reached.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 8 7 4
♥ A K J 6
♦ A J 7 4
♣ 10

Q: 4 - How will you advance the auction here?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♥	Pass	3♣	Pass
?

A: 5NT. You are strong enough to bid a small slam, but the best denomination is still to be determined. You should ask partner to pick a slam. This was the deal:

♠ 9 5 2

♥ 9 7 4 3

♦ K Q 5 2

♣ 7 6

♠ A J 6

♥ Q 10

♦ 6

♣ K Q J 9 5 3 2

♠ K 8 7 4

♥ A K J 6

♦ A J 7 4

♣ 10

♠ Q 10 3

♥ 8 5 2

♦ 10 9 8 3

♣ A 8 4

Over your 5NT, North chooses 6♣. This is the best contract. A diamond lead would defeat 6NT.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K 6 3
♥ A 7
♦ K Q 2
♣ A Q J 7 6

Q: 5 - What will you bid next?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
2♣	Pass	3♣	Pass
3♠	Pass	4♠	Pass
?

A: 5NT. You have enough for a small slam, but which slam? Clubs, spades or no-trump? The best idea is to consult your partner.

♠ 9 4

♥ J 9 3 2

♦ A J 7 6

♣ 10 9 5

♠ A 10 7 5 2

♥ K Q 5

♦ 9

♣ K 8 4 3

♠ K 6 3

♥ A 7

♦ K Q 2

♣ A Q J 7 6

♠ Q J 8

♥ 10 8 6 4

♦ 10 8 5 4 3

♣ 2

Over 5NT, North does not like the idea of a spade slam, with his poor suit opposite three-card support. He opts for 6♣, and this turns out to be the best contract.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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