Of course, on some hands, the five level is
inevitable. This is more likely to occur when a player
makes a bid that uses up a great deal of bidding space.
6.
West
West East
East
J 10 7 5 2
1
2NT
A K 6 4 3
A K 9 8 2 4
5
Q 6 4
A 4
5
7
8 7
2
Pass
A J 10
West’s 4
bid showed a 5-card
heart suit with two of the top three honors. East was
delighted to hear that, but without a diamond control, it
would have been wrong for him to bid 4NT. West could have had
a hand where a diamond lead would have been fatal in
6,
such as:
Q J 8 7 2
A K J 4 3
J 2
3
Therefore, East control-bid 5.
This bid promised a
first-round
control in clubs. Why is that?
Because 4NT is no longer available, a 5-level
control-bid shows first-round control in that suit.
When West bid 5,
he promised either the
A
or a diamond void. If he had second-round control of diamonds,
he would jump to 6.
That was all East needed to bid the excellent
grand slam. Not surprisingly, at the tournament where this
hand was actually played, many pairs only got to six.
Partnership Checklist – Control Bids
Use this checklist to firm up your
control-bidding agreements. Check A or B on #1. Check Yes or
No on #2-6. I recommend B on #1 and Yes on #2-6.
Keep in mind that this checklist does not
address:
• Auctions where a minor suit is bid and
raised;
• 2/1 Game Forcing auctions.
1. Each player’s first control-bid promises:
__ A. a first-round control in the suit
__ B. any control
(Italian style)
2. Controls are bid up-the-line, so bypassing
a suit denies a control in that suit.
__ Yes __No
3. As long as slam is possible, always show a control below
the game level.
__ Yes __No
4. If partner has shown a 5+ card suit, a control-bid in his
suit shows the ace or king.
__ Yes __No
5. Once you have shown a short suit, only control-bid that
suit with a void.
__ Yes __No
6. A control-bid at the five level shows first-round control
in that suit.
