(Excerpt from the Slam Course with Grizz and Caitlin) grizz: the south hand is huge, with only 2 losers and great shape, so he opens 2C grizz: responder has 10 losers and a so-so suit, so 2D is the correct response here grizz: it is not good enough for 2S grizz: but since the pair plays 2H as a supernegative, the 2D bid is constructive grizz: ok everybody, what should N bid? grizz: hint: the Principle of Fast Arrival applies here Student 5: 4 sp grizz: righto grizz: no extras, no interest in slam, nothing to cue grizz: but S has a better than average hand here! grizz: lol you might have noticed that already Student 4: just 2 losers grizz: void in C, no losers in H, no probable losers in D grizz: and with the known S fit, the only possible losers are in trumps grizz: so how does S go about finding out about possible trump losers? Student 6: 5s grizz: 5NT is a Grand Slam Force in any suit grizz: not just in S, any suit grizz: it says: "partner, we have 6 in the bag. if you have 2 of the top 3 honors, bid 7" grizz: and N, looking with incredulity at his 10 loser hand, sees the SKQ, gulps and bids 7S grizz: tada! grizz: 25 hcp grand slam, and it's cold grizz: if partner has only 0 or 1 top honor, he must sign off in 6 Student 4: can south also bid 5 C Exclusion Blackwood? grizz: 5C would not have been a jump, so it would have been a cue, or somehow ambiguous grizz: at any rate, 5NT is crystal clear grizz: and when your only question is about trump losers, that's the question to ask grizz: any other questions? grizz: one last hand then Student 3: isn't it risky to commit to 6 missing KQ? grizz: some risk, yes Student 7: what about 4NT? grizz: if S asks 4NT and N shows 1 control, is it the SK or the CA? grizz: one is useful, the other not a bit Student 7: oh ok, ty grizz: might only be a 9 card fit grizz: but don't you think the field will be in 6 here? Student 3: I'm not sure if I would be brave enough :) grizz: :) Caitlin: but the South hand is only a 2 loser hand Student 3: yes it's true, and partner did promise some values with the 2D grizz: yes - 2H was supernegative, and pd did not use it grizz: so south must have at least a K somewhere grizz: so when your only questions are about the trump suit, 5NT is a great gadget to have in your bidding toolbox Student 2: how to get hands like these in real life ? Student 5: lol grizz: they don't come along very often lol grizz: but when they do, you are prepared! Student 4: play 1000 hands a month! Student 2: omg grizz: ok gang, that's all for today