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What if responder is interested in getting to slam?

Here responder wants to go for a slam once opener raises diamonds, bnt can't afford to bid Blackwood with two low clubs. If opener shows one ace—as on the actual deal—responder still won't know whether the opponents can take the first two club tricks. So responder bids 3 spade to start the control-showing process.



Opener isn't sure whether the 3Spade bid is a diamond slam try or looking to play in 3NT rather than 54. For now, opener assumes responder is still looking to play in notrump, and holding a club stopper, bids 3NT.


Now responder clarifies the situation by bidding 44, since responder would have passed the 3NT bid if that was where responder was looking to play. So the 44 bid says, "My previous 34 was a control-showing bid. Now I'm interested in slam."


Opener now gets the message and cooperates by showing the 'A. Responder's 44 bid shows second-round control of spades, the 4K, since the 34 bid showed first-round control. Assured by the club holding that the partnership has at least first- or second- round control in all suits, opener can now simplify proceedings by bidding Blackwood. Responder shows two aces, and opener bids the slam.