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.
- 32 or more revalued (including short suit distribution)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
Bidding a slam in a Notrump contract - 6NT
- 33 or more high-card points between the two hands
- Generally balanced or semi-balanced hands; do not add short-suit distribution points
- 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
- Enough top tricks or a strong long suit to provide 12 tricks; points alone do not guarantee a slam
- Avoid 6NT if an important suit is inadequately stopped, even when the combined point count reaches 33
- 6NT ≈ 33 HCP + controls + 12 likely tricks.
Bidding a grand slam in a Notrump contract - 7NT
- 37 or more high-card points between the two hands
- All four aces
- No immediate loser in any suit
- At least three of the four aces between you and partner
- No two immediate losers in any one suit
- You should be able to identify 13 probable tricks, rather than bidding merely because the point count is high
- Avoid 6NT if an important suit is inadequately stopped, even when the combined point count reaches 33
- 6NT ≈ 33 HCP + controls + 12 likely tricks.
| Trump-suit slam | NoTrump slam | |
|---|---|---|
| Small slam strength | 32+ revalued points | 33+ HCP |
| Distribution | Shortness can add value | Usually don't count shortness |
| Fit | 8+ card trump fit | No trump fit required |
| Aces | At least 3 | At least 3 |
| Quick losers | No two in one suit | No two in one suit |
| Other key factor | Trump quality | Stoppers and source of tricks |
| Grand slam | ~37+ and all controls | ~37+ HCP and all 4 aces |
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
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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+ HCP and a 5 card heart suit. You can't count the distribution points for the club void just yet, because you aren't certain whether the contract will be in a suit or in Notrump.