my judgement failed me again

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

I held this hand on Friday evening:

QJ874
Q4
AKQJ9
T

Partner opens 1C, after my 1S response she jumps to 3C.

I start thinking about slam possibilities and the auction proceeds:

N S
1C
1S 3C
3D 3NT
4D 4S
4NT 5H

Partner shows two key cards, and I have a think (often dangerous! :-)). If we are missing two aces or AK of spades a slam has no chance. If partner has Ax in spades and another ace and has the strength to jump rebid we likely have 12 tricks straight off. If we are missing two aces and they are split, the defence might not cash them immediately and we may still be able to run 12 tricks. As it was turning into one of those evenings where it was a struggle to generate anything, I decided to takle a chance and bid 6NT which got doubled. RHO on lead held AK of spades so that was the end of that.

Partners hand was:

62
AK
43
AKJ64342

Perhaps I should go back to playing chess.

[t***@att.net]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
QJ874
Q4
AKQJ9
T
Partner opens 1C, after my 1S response she jumps to 3C.
N S
1C
1S 3C
3D 3NT
4D 4S
4NT 5H
Partner shows two key cards, and I have a think (often dangerous! :-)). If we are missing two aces or AK of spades a slam has no chance. If partner has Ax in spades and another ace and has the strength to jump rebid we likely have 12 tricks straight off. If we are missing two aces and they are split, the defence might not cash them immediately and we may still be able to run 12 tricks. As it was turning into one of those evenings where it was a struggle to generate anything, I decided to takle a chance and bid 6NT which got doubled. RHO on lead held AK of spades so that was the end of that.
62
AK
43
AKJ64342
Perhaps I should go back to playing chess.

Your problem may be more systematic than judgmental. There isn't enough room to bail out easily at the 5-level if you lack key cards. After Partner's 3C bid, you have you 5-loser hand vs her 6-loser hand so there's plenty of power. Your shape (singleton Club) and excess of Quacks should indicate that controls could be a problem. I'm not sure how to handle these types of hands without messing up something else. Perhaps Minorwood would help with the control asking. Or perhaps (as you have 3 uncovered suits) you need a way to invite and ask Partner to ask for controls (which she probably won't do as she has two suits each with two quick losers.)