How to Bid Slams in Bridge (Lesson 10)

The 6 and 7-Level Bids ("Small" and "Grand" Slams) are rewarded with premium points. Many a game is won with a successful Slam!



This is especially true for fresh deal ("Rubber") Bridge. The ability to bid a Slam is based on an accurate exchange of information between the members of a partnership. If there is any misunderstanding, the results will be disastrous. Slam bidding requires a step-by-step process. Here we will review the basic requirements.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lit and ventilated room
• A card-sized table
• Pens/pencils and paper for keeping score
• 2 Standard decks of playing cards
• 4 Enthusiastic players

1. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SLAM CONTRACTS/NT CONTRACTS
   
   
   Points (High Card Points): In order to bid 6 NT, your side must have at least 33 combined HCP. A bid of 7 NT requires a minimum of 37 HCP.
   
   The logic is based on Aces. If you are off more than one Ace, you will be set or defeated in 6 NT. A single Ace will sink a 7 NT bid. And FYI: there are those few times you will run into the opening leader holding the A-K of the same suit!

2. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SLAM CONTRACTS/SUIT CONTRACTS
   
   
   Points (HCP) The same 33 and 37 HCP will also produce suit Slams. There are also other considerations too. To begin with, you MUST have a powerful suit fit (eight or more cards in the same suit) and decent strength in that suit as well. Another factor is DISTRIBUTION. Voids and singletons are critical, and often the placement of a short suit will spell the difference between success or failure.

3. FORCING BIDS
   
   
   Certain bidding sequences and key card combinations are conducive to exploring Slam possibilities. Some of these include: an opening strong two bid, a double raise of an opening bid and a jump takeout bid. Anytime a strong (16 to 19) suit opening bid on the one level is answered with a jump raise, a Slam sequence usually ensues. A 1 NT opener (16 to 18 HCP) requires an exceptional hand by the responder in order to consider a NT Slam (after all, the 1 NT may be in the 16 HCP range instead of in the 18 HCP range).

4. THE BLACKWOOD SLAM CONVENTION (4 NT)
   
   
   Created by Bridge pioneer Easley Blackwood, this convention is a simple way to glean information about the number of Aces your partner holds. This bid is absolutely FORCING and requires these responses:
   NO ACES OR ALL 4 ACES--5 Clubs
   
   ONE ACE--5 Diamonds
   
   TWO ACES--5 Hearts
   
   THREE ACES--5 Spades
   
   
   After you show your Aces, if partner then bids 5 NT, you must now show your Kings in the same fashion. Partner will then bid 6 of a suit (or 6 NT) which closes the auction.
   
   
   
   Note: The Blackwood Convention is NOT used if Clubs are the potential trump suit. (The response of 5 D to 4 NT with two Aces missing will result in a "Set," as there is no way to stop at the 5 level in this scenario.)

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you and your partner understand the requirements for Slam.
• Establish a trump suit "fit" before launching into a Slam bidding sequence.
• Make an effort to describe your hand accurately.
• Familiarize yourself with the Gerber Convention.
• Other articles in this series cover advanced techniques such as Slam bidding with Voids, Cue Bidding and the Gerber Convention (usually applied over an opening 1 NT bid).
• Do not count a void suit as an Ace of that suit.
• Do not bid Slam if game (3 NT, 4S or 4H, 5C or 5D) will win the match.
• There is a risk to bidding Slam with worthless doubletons in your hand.