[HeartA]

PMetsch, on Sep 4 2005, 06:52 AM, said:

I would rebid 3♦ on the second round. This is no minimum, a 6-5 with 3 aces and a working queen. After the 2NT bid by partner I think you can play him for a 2=5=3=3 distribution, after all he didn't support spades, didn't rebid hearts and didn't bid 3 of a minor. With that info, south knows about the diamond fit and can jump to 4♦ to show a good 2-suiter (what else could it mean). Maybe then north can cuebid ♠K and slam may be reached.

I would bid 3♦ over pd's 2♥. Slam is not easy to reach, though, as others pointed out.

[SoTired]

I agree with the posts that opener can rebid 3D with this powerhouse. (Isn't it a 4-loser hand if a fit is found?) But slam is easier to reach if responder raises diam immediately. Some don't like this bid because it passes 3N. But why not? Opener is either very strong 54 (making 4N a safe retreat), or somewhat weaker 55. Even a 43 diam fit may be OK in slam since Responder is short in spades and holds good diam honors. So something like this:

1S 2H
3D 4D
4H 4N
6D
where 4H is kickback.

It has to be opener that takes the plunge. Opener has the powerhouse once the diam fit is found.

If responder can't bear to bypass 3N
1S 2H
3D 3N
4D 5D
6D
Responder has to show the diam support instead of bidding 4S. Again it has to be opener to take the risk.

But responder can't be brave unless opener rebids 3D, because I can't see responder make any push with no aces and a hand full of useless quacks in the rounded suits.