Todays bridge clues bidding hand

[macrae1234]

On today's hand
S-A32
H- Q63
D- 9754
C- A86

W N E S

1D 2D* P ?

*A direct cue bid of a minor is called Michaels Cue Bid and shows five-five in the majors (occasionally five-four).
Bid 2NT. This promises support for both majors and a hand with enough values that 3H or 3S should make even if partner has a typically weak hand
North bids 3D artificial, showing an opening hand with slam interest

I now have a problem holding A32 in spades and Q63 in hearts when the next bid is 3H explained as

Since he already knows you have support for both majors, bid 3H which suggests a preference of hearts to spades and is forcing

What am I missing how is Q63 better than A32

[Bob78164]

On today's hand
S-A32
H- Q63
D- 9754
C- A86

W N E S

1D 2D* P ?

*A direct cue bid of a minor is called Michaels Cue Bid and shows five-five in the majors (occasionally five-four).
Bid 2NT. This promises support for both majors and a hand with enough values that 3H or 3S should make even if partner has a typically weak hand
North bids 3D artificial, showing an opening hand with slam interest

I now have a problem holding A32 in spades and Q63 in hearts when the next bid is 3H explained as

Since he already knows you have support for both majors, bid 3H which suggests a preference of hearts to spades and is forcing

What am I missing how is Q63 better than A32

I've never been enthusiastic about Anne Lund's explanations, or her bidding structure. I much prefer the Mike Lawrence hands. --Bob

[macrae1234]

From Anne Lund

You asked a good question. My reasoning for choosing the hearts over spades is because the spade ace acts as a stopper against a ruff if there is a singleton spade (when in a heart contract). In spades, if there is a singleton heart and declarer does not have the ace, the opponents could get a quick ruff. As I said, this is very subtle and there are probably those who would disagree with my logic.
In this case, North indicated in the bidding that either major would be fine.

I replied
I have difficulty thinking partner has a slam interest hand without the AK of hearts and the KJ of spades minimum. Switch the heart 2 and the spade 2 and you play in the 5-3 and not the 6-3 on the same auction. I think you should bid 3NT which on this auction partner should work out tour intent is not to play there but rather which major does he prefer since it is almost certain he is 6-5 to look for slam.

[macrae1234]

Again from Anne Lund

You make a good point.

When I created the hand, I had to make a decision about the bidding and South’s choice of hearts over spades based on logic. The point of the hand was to teach how to communicate a double fit with slam interest (with the inclusion of a Michaels bid).

I replied
How about having slam interest and knowing partner is probably 6-5 you chose hearts because it allows you to show the most controls ie the key heart queen in key card and partner places the contract in hearts or spades his 6 card suit

[Bob78164]

From Anne Lund

You asked a good question. My reasoning for choosing the hearts over spades is because the spade ace acts as a stopper against a ruff if there is a singleton spade (when in a heart contract). In spades, if there is a singleton heart and declarer does not have the ace, the opponents could get a quick ruff. As I said, this is very subtle and there are probably those who would disagree with my logic.
In this case, North indicated in the bidding that either major would be fine.

I replied
I have difficulty thinking partner has a slam interest hand without the AK of hearts and the KJ of spades minimum. Switch the heart 2 and the spade 2 and you play in the 5-3 and not the 6-3 on the same auction. I think you should bid 3NT which on this auction partner should work out tour intent is not to play there but rather which major does he prefer since it is almost certain he is 6-5 to look for slam.

Thanks. As I said, I'm generally just not impressed by her. --Bob

[SportsFan68]

On today's hand
S-A32
H- Q63
D- 9754
C- A86

W N E S

1D 2D* P ?

*A direct cue bid of a minor is called Michaels Cue Bid and shows five-five in the majors (occasionally five-four).
Bid 2NT. This promises support for both majors and a hand with enough values that 3H or 3S should make even if partner has a typically weak hand
North bids 3D artificial, showing an opening hand with slam interest

I now have a problem holding A32 in spades and Q63 in hearts when the next bid is 3H explained as

Since he already knows you have support for both majors, bid 3H which suggests a preference of hearts to spades and is forcing

What am I missing how is Q63 better than A32

I've never been enthusiastic about Anne Lund's explanations, or her bidding structure. I much prefer the Mike Lawrence hands. --Bob

I think Anne's hands are edited more than Mike's. Often her hands will list an editor, and I think it creates errors. For example, sometimes her hands will mention a 3 of spades in East's hand, or something. But there will be no 3S there in the graphics. I agree, I like Mike's hands better too, maybe because BridgeClues doesn't see the need to edit his stuff.

[macrae1234]

Final reply

At the point you choose hearts, you don’t know partner is 5-6. But I like your idea of being able to show the queen of hearts. I will borrow that thought and rewrite the hand.
Thanks