In the following deal, my partner - Ophir Reshef - and I were the only E/W pair to bid and make the grand slam in diamonds. We had some luck on our side... Opponents did not challenge us as they could have... But we did utilized the 2 over 1 game forcing system, and showed some great hand evaluation and trust - to gain valuable 13 IMPs!
I was seating East, and opened 1H. In some tables, South had bid an aggressive 3C preempt (due to a favorable vulnerability). However we were lucky to have not dealt with such a preemptive venture...
My partner in West, Ophir, responded 2D. We play 2 over 1 game force system which means West promises 12+ HCP and the partnership is fully committed to game.
Next I rebid 2H. In our style, rebidding the major suit does NOT guarantee 6 cards. Rebidding 2S would be a reverse bid showing extras (15+ HCP). One could evaluate the prime 14 HCP and decide to rebid 2S, but regardless, if in your style 2H guarantees 6 cards, you ought to rebid 2S or 2NT instead.
My partner then rebid 3D, a key rebid in the 2 over 1 system. Responder shows 6+ diamonds, and a forcing rebid. In Standard American system where 2D is not game forcing, responder could not rebid 3D - as this would not be forcing but show invitational values (10-12 HCP). (Instead responder would have to rebid 3C to make a force, without showing the diamonds).
My 3S rebid shows values/stopper in spades, indicating weakness in the unbid suit (clubs), and still suggesting 3NT as the final contract.
West 4C rebid is artificial (as any fourth suit rebid) showing a slam invitation in diamonds, the last suit bid naturally. We are in a slam auction now.
The 4D bid is agreeing to diamonds and a waiting bid. I was cooperating with the exploration of a slam in diamonds... When your partner shows 6+ cards, it's often correct to treat a top honor singleton as a real fit.
West's 4H bid is an artificial cue bid - in our style first or second round control in hearts. Note here that west could (and maybe should have) ask 4NT RKCB.
My 6D bid was a small gamble, but made due to a hand evaluation of the 14 HCP and the useful cards I held which I knew to generate many winners (the 2 aces and the concentration values in spades). I thought that was it!
My partner, Ophir, then gave it a thought and said: "Hope we are lucky," and then went on to bid 7D! He assumed (correctly) that I had to hold at least 2 aces - for my jump to 6D - and hoped that I hold more potential winners in length & honors in hearts and/or spades. He was right!
We could also make 7NT, but the IMP scoring method makes it a 'small change'. Bidding and making ANY slam or grand slam will often yield a great result, even in a minor suit. With the IMPs gained on this deal our team has won the match, and will continue to the semi finals in 2 weeks. Meanwhile Merry Christmas and HNY! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🧑🎄🤶🎅
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