[mikl_plkcc]

South dealt:

---

Using standard methods, we found that only a first round ♣ control was missing, so we also land on 6♥, in fact, most of the field landed on 6♥, and all -1. Only the few pairs who stopped at 4♥ got good results.

Is it possible to avoid bidding the slam?

[Cyberyeti]

You don't even improve your score by bidding 6♦ or 6N by south which are better practical contracts than 6♥ by N.

Who dealt ?

It's easy enough to work out from S's point of view that N doesn't have A♣ or a singleton, but being sure he doesn't have the Q is more awkward.

With S as dealer (we play a weak no trump which we will open with 5M but S is clearly too good, and 10+ 2/1s not GF)

1♠-2♥
2N(GF)-3♦
3♥-4♦
?

Now it looks like N has 5-5 in the reds with 2 or 3 clubs without the A, so should you sign off as if he doesn't have the Q, club lead is marked and the contract won't be better than 50-50, or do you go on ? With 3 small hearts, I think I sign off.

With N as dealer

1♥-1♠
3♦(2 good suits, not an enormous hand, better versions go via the GF 2N or 2♦ rebid which is all but forcing)-4♥

partner really can't have enough after the 3♦ bid as he won't have the same hand with 3 spades and no clubs.

[JLOGIC]

They will often lead a black suit so it is not really a bad slam. Also when the AQ of clubs are off they will often double a club cuebid.

[mikl_plkcc]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-July-10, 09:29, said:

You don't even improve your score by bidding 6♦ or 6N by south which are better practical contracts than 6♥ by N.

Who dealt ?

South dealt, we played at 6N, also -1.