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,