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Bid Slam in a Suit
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.
In a trump suit
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.
- 33 or more revalued 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
The two hands below have the combined cards and values that can make a small slam in a suit contract
North
Responder
♠ Q 10 8 7
♥ J 5 2
♦ 3
♣ A K Q J 10
13 HCP
South
Opener
♠ A K J 3 2
♥ K 3
♦ A K Q J 10
♣ 2
21 HCP
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
- An eight-card trump suit fit or longer
- At least three of the four aces between you and partner
- Controls in all Suits
