Ex. 9             Bidding : 1♠ - 4♠ - Pass
Opener ♠ A Q J 10 7 ♥ 5 3 ♦ 8 4 2 ♣ A K 5		Responder ♠ K 9 8 3 ♥ A 9 7 2 ♦ 9 ♣ 10 9 7 4
Responder's raise to Game shows 6-10 HCP, 4+ trumps and a singleton or void. With such advantageous hand configuration a Game contract can usually be made with as little as 18-20 HCP in the combined hands !   (But the singleton must not be a Honour card.)
Ex. 10             Bidding : 1♥ - 3♥ - 4♥ - Pass
Opener ♠ - 7 2 ♥ - A J 8 4 3 ♦ - A J 6 2 ♣ - K 9		Responder ♠ - 8 6 5 ♥ - K Q 5 2 ♦ - K 3 ♣ - A J 5 3
Responder's jump raise shows trump support, 13+ points and is forcing to Game. Opener, with only a minimum Opening hand (12-15) signs off with 4♥.
Ex. 11             Bidding : 1♠ - 3♠ - 4NT* - 5♥# - 6♠ - Pass
Opener ♠ - K Q 8 4 3 2 ♥ - 7 ♦ - A K 4 ♣ - K 8 3		Responder ♠ - J 10 5 ♥ - A K 6 4 ♦ - Q 9 3 2 ♣ - A 2
After Responder's jump raise, Opener suspects that a Slam contract may be on, provided Responder holds at least 2 Aces. Opener therefore bids 4NT*, this is the Blackwood Convention, asking for the number of partner's Aces. Responder shows 2 Aces# after which Opener confidently bids 6♠.
Ex. 12             Bidding : 1♥ - 3♥ - 6♥ - Pass
Opener ♠ - A K 9 ♥ - A K J 8 5 2 ♦ - A 8 4 ♣ - 8		Responder ♠ - Q 7 ♥ - Q 10 6 4 ♦ - Q 6 2 ♣ - A K 6 3
After Responder's jump raise Opener can count 22 points (19 HCP + 3 SP) in his own hand. Responder's 13+ points are therefore more than enough for a Small Slam. Holding 3 Aces himself Opener therefore bids directly to 6♥.
© 2013 Michael Furstner