Responses to Cuantitative 4NT Bids
In the previous articles, we looked at how to show 5-4 Majors with game-forcing values opposite a 1NT (15-17 HCP) opening.
Here are three hands for you, on each of which you open 1NT (15-17 HCP):
You open 1NT, and your partner responds 4NT quantitative. What would you do?
It appears that you will want to accept the slam invite on all three hands
. Although (A) and (B) only have 16 HCP, they both have a five-card suit, and also some useful 10s.
In (C), you have a maximum so of course you would accept the slam invite. However, 6NT may not be correct slam. Imagine partner holds:
K 6 
K J 5 
A 8 5 3 
A J 5 2
Opposite (A), you want to be in 6. Although 6NT has some chances (diamonds 3-3 or a club finesse), 6 should be cold, with the twelfth trick coming from a spade ruff.
Opposite (B), 6NT requires the club suit coming in for five tricks. If clubs are 3-1 and the Q is not singleton, then you would need a miracle to make 6NT. However, in 6 you can even handle a 4-0 club break, with your twelfth trick coming from a spade ruff.
Opposite (C), 6NT will require the heart finesse. 6 is a much better slam, with a spade ruff (in hand) being your twelfth trick. As you can see, before committing yourself to 6NT, it is much better to search for an alternative strain. Here is a nice and easy method to adopt:
(Note: If opener bids over the 4NT quantitative bid, it is assumed that he is accepting the slam invite.)
After searching for an alternative strain, if there is no fit in any suit, then you can fall back to 6NT.
Here are two example hands and their respective auctions:
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