This question came from a BAND club game….How does North set clubs as trump?

Here is your hand:

North
♠ 4
♥ J 3
♦ A
♣ A K J 10 9 7 5 4 3

South West North East
1♠        Pass   2♣       Pass
2♥        Pass   4♣       Pass
4♥        Pass   4NT    Pass
5♦        Pass   6♣       AP

South’s opens 1♠. Playing 2/1 Game Forcing, North’s 2♣ bid sets a game force (exceptions of course). South rebids 2♥ and North jump rebids 4♣ which in a game forcing auction sets trump and asks South to cuebid. The theory is that there is no reason to jump in a game forcing auction unless the suit is strong enough to declare it as trumps even opposite a singleton or void.  North’s clubs are a good example of this type of suit.

Depending on whether your partnership plays American or Italian cuebids, South either cuebids 4♥ to show the ♥A or ♥K (Italian) or 4♠ to the ♠A (American). This is enough for North to bid 4NT (Roman Key Card for Clubs). South responds 5♦ (1 or 3 keycards). Missing one keycard, North signs off in 6♣.

Let me hear your Comments!

Visit Play Better Bridge for Donna’s Online Videos, Webinars and Bundles

Visit Play Better Bridge’s YOUTUBE Channel to view clips of Donna’s Lesson Videos

Join Donna for a Power Bridge Retreat to take your game to the next level!