| Slam bidding is the "promised land" of Bridge! Great rewards are earned by those pairs which bid and make slams.
Here are the basic requirements for exploring slam possibilities:
1. Point count - 33 (combined) HCP points should produce 6 Notrump (a small slam), and 37 HCP should yield 7 Notrump (a grand slam). Suit slam bids follow the same guidelines; however, distributional features will affect many suit contracts.
2. Trump suit - If you are exploring suit slams, you must have a strong trump (fit) between the two hands.
3. Aces - If you are off two Aces, your slam will be in trouble - deep trouble! Now you understand why 33 points are needed for a small slam. In Notrump, an Ace and King together in the same hand spells big trouble - especially, if that person is on lead. However, the risk is worthwhile with 33 combined HCP.
Note - There are bidding Conventions which are used when exploring slams. The most popular is "Blackwood". This will be explored in detail in the next column
4. A grand slam should be bid only if it is "on ice". Many advanced partnership utilize bidding systems which can accurately determine the soundness of a seven level bid.
You must have certain basic requirements in order to bid Slams. In the normal case, you need 33 HCP, and at least three of the Aces. In suit contracts, you must have a strong (combined) trump suit. No trump bids usually require second round controls in all suits, and a 33 HCP. Here are some bids which frequently lead to Slams:
1. An opening two bid
2. A double raise
3. A forcing jump take out
4. A Jump NT takeout
If your partner makes one of these bids, you must consider Slam possibilities. One of the oldest and most reliable conventions is the Blackwood bid of 4 NT. Easley R. Blackwood, (1903-1992), was the creator. He was the executive secretary of the American Contract Bridge League from 1968-1971.
This is one of the most standard applications in Bridge. It is also quite frequently abused. Modern players have made several modifications to Blackwoood. Regardless, partner must not pass, and has to show the number of Aces he holds. Here are the responses:
a. 5 Clubs shows no Aces or all 4 Aces
b. 5 Diamonds shows one Ace
c. 5 Hearts shows two Aces
d. 5 Spades shows three Aces
And if you want to explore further, your bid of 5 NT asks for Kings, with the same responses, this time on the six level. Caution! Do not use Blackwood, if your trump suit is clubs, unless you are prepared to bid six clubs if your partner shows only one Ace. Here are some additional refinements for the intermediate/advanced player:
1. A response of six diamonds to a 4 NT Blackwood bid would show one Ace and a diamond void. Six hearts, in this instance would show one Ace and a heart void. And six clubs would show one Ace, and a club void. You must not bid a void, as an Ace on the five level!
2. Upon discovering the number of Aces in partner's hand, the 4 NT bidder may request that his partner place the contract at 5 NT by bidding any unbid suit on the 5 level.
3. If an opponent bids over the 4 NT Blackwood bid, a Pass will show no Aces, and each step above the interference bid will show an additional Ace.
4. Cue bidding: Another way of showing vital controls is via cue bids. One way is by bidding the opponent's bid suit. This shows an Ace or void in that suit, and promises the equivalent of a jump raise hand. Another method is to bid a new suit at the four or five level, after a trump fit has been established.
5. One of the greatest threats to a Small Slam contract is the worthless doubleton in a suit. In this instance the opponents can cash a quick A-K of that suit! Finally, the leap to a Grand Slam must be carefully measured, as one losing finesse or bad suit break can spell ruin!
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