Pages

Friday, October 26, 2012

Optional Suit Last Train

Discussions often inspire new ideas.  One just occurred today.

There are auctions where two suits are "in focus," one of which is a minor for slam purposes but the other a major for game purposes.  In that situation, "Last Train to Clarksville" can have a nuanced meaning.

Consider, for instance, an auction where we know that the out when slam is rejected is playing in a 5-2 major fit, but where a minor is agreed if we explore slam.  An example might be:

1S-1NT
3C-4C
4D

In that sequence, you could play that Responder bids 4H as "Last Train," with interest in a club slam but unwillingness to bypass 4S, the likely out spot if slam is rejected,