Series - The Mistakes I make in Bridge


This is more a success than a mistake. But it is nevertheless not the optimal result, which would be 7NT. 4♣ is explained as a slam try with control in clubs. Since diamonds are the only agreed suit, the slam try is in diamonds. One does not like to play in 5♦ because 3NT is usually better. So, the slam try should be really serious. I think of this bid as exploring a small or a grand slam.

4NT is asking for key cards for diamonds as trumps, and 5♥ asks for the diamond queen. With 4♠ the queen is confirmed and an extra control in spades is confirmed. Thus North goes for the grand slam.

This is all very scientific and still not completely satisfying. I think I should have raised to 7NT in the end. The bidding of North is obviously not based on a long diamond fit, but rather on controls everywhere. 

One other player "found" 7NT with the simple bidding below. All others played a small slam.

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