Grand Slam Force


When a small slam looks like a slam-dunk but a possible weakness in trumps is inhibiting a grand slam, the GSF can be used to explore for a Grand Slam by bidding 5N when that bid cannot be mistaken for a natural bid nor for part of Ace/King asking.

According to Larry Cohen (and other experts): 

    Pick-A-Slam grows in popularity every year. It has pretty much made the Grand Slam Force obsolete. It used to be that 5NT asked partner to bid a grand slam with 2 of the top 3 honors, but in the days of RKC, that method is no longer needed.


Continuing with Grand Slam Force:

Asker's partner should bid the grand slam if he holds 2 of the top 3 trump honors; otherwise, he should bid the small slam.

If the 5N is a jump bid, the last suit bid is presumed to be the trump suit unless some other suit was clearly indicated as trump prior to that bid or if that bid was a conventional raise, such as a splinter bid.

If bidder has a long solid suit and partner has bid another suit, GSF can be used to learn how good partner's suit is. Example from July 10, 2026 Becker column with AQ-AKQJ863-Q942- then if partner has 2 of the top 3 diamonds (D:AK), he will bid 7D and bidder will correct to 7H with the hope being that the S:Q can be discarded on a long diamond.


Other Responses to GSF:

    While the simplest responses are to bid Grand Slam or Small Slam, many other response systems are available such as this one:

    If Spades are trumps:

      5 = 3 or 4 small trumps only
      5 = 3+ trumps including the Queen.
      5 = 3 trumps including the Ace OR King.
      5 = 4+ trumps including the Ace OR King.

    If Hearts are trumps:

      5 = 3 or 4 trumps, no A,K, may have the Q.
      5 = 3 trumps including the Ace OR King.
      5 = 4+ trumps including the Ace OR King.

    If Diamonds are trumps:

      5 = 3 or 4 trumps, no A,K, may have the Q.
      5 = 3+ trumps including the Ace OR King.