Major Suit Fit
After a major suit fit has been found if there is slam interest by opener (15+ points), make the next higher bid, asking partner to give responses similar to Kokish help suit game tries.
Opener Responder
1C 1D
1H 2H
2S initiates help suit try bids, e.g., bid Ace, King,
singleton, or void. Indicates slam interest
(15+ points).
1C 1D
1S 2S
2NT initiates help suit try bids, e.g., bid Ace, King,
singleton, or void. Indicates slam interest
(15+ points).
If opener has a minimum hand and an ace, cue bid that suit. If responder has any interest in slam, continue cue bidding first or second round controls. Otherwise, sign off at game. If opener doesn't have an ace with a minimum hand, bid 4 of the major.
1C 1D
1H 2H
3C shows ace of clubs and 12-14 points
3D shows ace of diamonds and 12-14 points
3S shows ace of spades and 12-14 points
1C 1D
1S 2S
3C shows ace of clubs and 12-14 points
3D shows ace of diamonds and 12-14 points
3H shows ace of hearts and 12-14 points
A variation on the Kokish bids is the 3 level trump suit bid. Opener is asking about the quality of responder's trump suit. Again, initiate this bid with 15+ points. Rather than bidding game to show good trump, cue bid a side ace to show good trumps. A game level bid denies good trumps.
1C 1D
1H 2H
3H asks for quality of trump suit
3S 2 of top 3 honors in hearts and the ace of spades
3NT 2 of top 3 honors in hearts and no side aces
4C 2 of top 3 honors in hearts and the ace of clubs
4D 2 of top 3 honors in hearts and the ace of diamonds
4H denies 2 of top 3 honors in hearts
1C 1D
1S 2S
3S asks for quality of trump suit
3NT 2 of top 3 honors in spades and no side aces
4C 2 of top 3 honors in spades and the ace of clubs
4D 2 of top 3 honors in spades and the ace of diamonds
4H 2 of top 3 honors in spades and the ace of hearts
4S denies 2 of top 3 honors in spades
If opener makes one of the bids showing 15+ points, responder can make a slam invitation by bidding 5 of the major. Opener bids slam with 17+ points.