[GrahamJson]

Why the pointless 2S bid? If E bids 3NT on the third round, showing extra values, it is easy for W to raise to 4 or even 6. Either way you should reach slam.

[Zelandakh]

Coming from an Acol background I thought the same as Graham - 3NT from East on their third call - but it would not surprise me if this is wrong in a 5 and strong system. If East does bid 3NT I would say it is trivial for West to go slamming in clubs. If 2♦ does not show extras and East can only bid 2NT then perhaps we want to consider our methods. Presumably 3♣ now from Responder would be forcing and show slam interest though (otherwise we are very system-constrained!) and Opener has every reason to cooperate so I think investigating slam is right on most auctions.

[BillPatch]

jodepp, on 2015-August-30, 04:16, said:

Why would one want to be in 6NT from West's side?

If East bids what's in front of his nose on the third round (2NT instead of 2♠) West might raise quantitatively to 4NT and East will go on, but let's be honest here - this is a pretty optimistic sequence by both players. I don't think this slam falls into the 'easily biddable' category.

I think East's 2♠ is silly. Yes, it can't be misunderstood (can't show four spades) but should be reserved for hands that have anti-positional values, something like:

Axx
xx
xx
AKJxxx

East's 'cute' 2♠ threw a monkey wrench in the works.

2NT throws a monkey wrench in the works. It does not accept the game try and shows a minimum opening. So a slam try by responder over 2NT is ludicrous. Surely a 3NT rebid is appropriate, after which responder should find the 4NT quantitative and a good slam should be found.