The American world champion 2 times Edwin Bruce Kantar (1932-2022), known as Eddie Kantar, in his book "Roman Keycard Blackwood" - based in the Roman Key Card Blackwood created by Italian team in years 60 - develop a strutured sequence of bids to search partner's hand to know about the possession of Aces, Kings, Queens and second-third control. So here we resume these rules that we recommend to be used "slowly" by parnership, when in approximation to Slam, until both partners have a full domination of this great convention.
To search partner's hand first we ask for keycards (4 aces and trump's King) bidding 4nt when major agreed suit is established directly or indirectly - for minors agreed it is different and also a few complicated - and there are two convention for responses:
|
1430 asked
by the strong hand == 0314
asked by the weak hand step1= 1 or 4 keycards; == step1= 0 or 3 keycards; step2= 0 or 3 keycards; == step2= 1 or 4 keycards; step3= 2 keycards no Queen == step3= 2 keycards no Queen step4= 2 keycards with Queen. == step4= 2 keycards with Queen As you see both convention is on and the Asker if strong use 1430 but if Asker is the weak hand use 0314. |
What is a
"Strong Hand" or a "Weak Hand"
Strong hand is the player that opens
in 1nt, 2nt, 2(GF) or
reverse or jump to show a game force (GF).
Weak hand is the player that opens with a preemptive hand or opens at
level 1 in a suit but do not jumps or reverses during the auction or is
just a Responder after partner opening.
When it is not clear in the auction who is the strong hand select the player
that ask for keycards as the strong hand.
Why Kantar propose to use both: 1430 and 0314?
Kantar knowing that more often the strong hand has 3 keycards
and the weak hand just 1, but may have the trump's Queen, has concluded
that strong hand should use 1430 when asking for keycards because then
the response often will be in first step (for majors agreed 5)
and next suit will be used to ask for trump's Queen with maximum save of space,
How Kantar expanded the responses for Queen-ask?
For the Queen-ask, to otimize room, Kantar makes a
integration of the confirmation of the Queen with the response, up the
line, of the cheapest King that
the hand may have, so gaining room to searching more.
Of course sometimes it is the weak hand that asks for keycards (rare example
is when partner opens in 1nt and you "the weak hand" have 18 hcp!!).
But in general the player that ask for keycards is the strong hand.
After keycards searched
the Asker may
continuing to search asking for:
-1- the Queen (Queen-ask) and sign-off if Queen is missing;
-2- Specific King Ask (SKA) if already has the Queen;
-3- Specific Suit Suit (SSA) if want to know second-third control.
1- Asking for the Queen - after major agreement
Rule#1: When the answer for keycards does not
clarify the possession or exclusion of
the Queen then bidding NEXT SUIT asks for the Queen and the responses are:
- partner denies the Queen returning to the agreed trump's suit and this
aborts the search for SKA or SSA - when fit is 10+ cards response for
the Queen should be positive;
- partner confirms the Queen when his response is 5nt but denies a
side-suit King;
- partner confirms the Queen and shows, up the line, the cheapest King when bids
a different suit;
- partber confirms the Queen and shows all remaining 3 Kings bidding
6nt.
example1: Queen-ask with King
Opener:
AKJxx
AQJxx
Ax
x
Opener Responder
1
2nt <= Jacoby - 4+ is the agreed suit
and 12-16 hcp
4nt <= RKB1430 for
Spades (Opener take charge of the bidding)
5
<= 1 or 4 keycard (assume 1)
5
<= next suit is Queen-ask
?
5
<= returning to agreed suit denies the Queen
5
<= yes I have the Queen with K
5nt <= yes I have
the Queen but no Kings
6
<= yes I have the Queen with K
but not K
6
<= yes I have the Queen with K
but not K and not K
6nt <= yes I have
the Queen and all 3 others Kings.
Then Opener decides based in chances of success:
Chances in drop the Queen in a 9 cards fit are:
AK432-8765 => 40% for 2-2
AK432-J765 => 53% for singleton Q or 2-2
AKJ32-8765 => 53% for singleton Q or 2-2
AKJ102-6543 => 58% for singleton or finesse or 2-2
To bid Grand Slam needs 37 hcp or count 13 tricks or up 70% of chances.
To bid Small Slam - playing IMPs - needs: avaliation on IMPs gain per
board so multiply chances of success by IMPs gain and subtract chances
for loser multiplied by IMPs gain then if this is positive means you
should try the Slam (or game) and if is negative means you should stop
in game.
But in general with chances of success up 57% you should try Slam Vul
but Grand Slam need high percentage of success and solid trump suit.
a) if needs only trump divided 3-2 for AKQ2-6543 => 67,8%, but if the
suit is AKQ10-6543 then increases half of Jxxx (11,32%) more singletons
J (5,66%) then chances of success are => 84,85%, but for AKQ10-432 the
chances are only for the drop of Jx (16,15%) + Jxx = 51,68%.
b) if needs 1 successful finese in 2 possible - chances are => +-75%
c) if needs 1 finesse of King and Queen drop is 58% chances => 79%
d) if needs 1 finesse of King and Queen drop is 40% chances => 70%
e) if missing an ace and Queen drop of 58% and also a finesse of King
then percentages are multiplied (50% of 58%) => 29%
f) if trump suit AKJx-xxx needs finesse more 3-3 (50% of 36%)=>18%
g) if missing an ace and needs trump 2-2 chances are only => 40,7%
- If the answer is 5,
that denies the Queen, knowing partner has the
ace of Clubs and 9 cards fit with AKJ (53% in chances that Queen drops) Opener
should try Slam bidding 6;
- If the answer is 5
that confirms the Queen and shows the King of Hearts Opener should bid 7 (of
course Opener should search for the King of Diamonds as we will explain
in continuation);
- If the answer is 5nt, that confirms the Queen but
denies all kings, partner's hands should be something like this:
QJxx
xx
QJx
AQJx
and now contract depends on a King finesse successful to make Slam, but
pass in 5nt may be worst thant bid 6
after a dangerous Clubs lead;
- If the answer is 6
that is the confirmation of the Queen denying the King of Hearts and
showing the King of Clubs for our discard of the loser diamonds we must
stop in 6
because it is not a good ideia bid a Grand Slam depending on Hearts
finesse having sure game+Small Slam.
- If the answer is 6
again without the King Hearts we should stop the bidding in 6.
Partner bidding Jacoby denies singleton Hearts.
- If the answer is 6nt showing all Kings and the trump's Queen in a MP
context we should bid 7nt seeing partners's hand like:
Qxxx
Kx
Kxx
AKxx
example2:
Opener:
K10xx
x
AKJxx
Ax
Responder:
AQJ9x
xxx
Qx
8xx
Opener Responder
1
1
3 <= splinter
singleton Hearts with 4
cards
support
........................ What should be the Responder bids?
........................ 3
is sign-off and 4
only shows good Spades
........................ Let's imagine Opener's hand: after the
splinter
........................ probable 5431 with 5
and
Kxxx range 14-16 hcp
........................ but if Opener has A
we can make 5+5+1
and a
........................ ruff in Hearts. So our best bid is to
show our honor
........................ in Diamonds denying Clubs cuebid bidding 4.
.......... 4
<= support cuebid - bypass Clubs control
4nt <= RKB1430 for Spades
.......... 5
<= 1 keycard A -
no one will try Slam without Q
5 <= Queen-ask
.......... 5nt <= confirm Queen but denies side-suit King
6
pass
2- Asking for King - after major agreement
Rule#2:
When the agreed trump suit is a major, after asking for keycards, 5nt may
be used for
Specific Kings Ask (SKA) - not for the number of Kings - but for the
cheapest King up the line. Then after the answer we can
also make a second SKA bidding the suit of the King we want to know:
example3: asking for second King
Opener:
Ax
QJ10xx
AJx
AQx
Opener Responder
1
3 splinter showing 4+
cards support up to 15 hcp
4nt <= RKB1430 for
5
<= 2 keycards and no Queen (so AKxx...)
5nt <= Specific King Ask - Opener has the Queen or 6
cards
6
<= shows K
6 <=
Second SKA (do you also have K?)
?
6
return to trump suit => no I don't have K
=> pass
6nt <=
yes I have K but
not Q =>
7 needs a trick in
7
<= yes I have K
with the Q =>
7 should make
3- Asking for control in another suit - after major agreement
Rule#3: When we have all 5 keycards and the
trump's Queen we may use Specific Suit Ask (SSA) to search a suit
thinking in bid a Grand Slam:
SSA have 6 responses possible with room or less without room and SSA
allows search for second a third control in a suit:
step1-
Qx or Qxx or Qxxx or just xx (3rd control)
step2- Kxx or Kxxx (2nd control)
step3- Kx (King second)
raise off ask-suit - KQx - (2nd and 3rd control)
jump in trump suit - (singleton) at level 7 need 4 cards
support
returning to trump's
agreed
suit - xxx (nothing).
Rule#4-
If the SSA is used in a suit bid by Asker (the ace is known) then
the responses are:
step1 - Queen
step2 - King
step3 - KQ
returning to agreed suit - xxx nothing
example4
Opener Resp Opener Resp
explanation
1 2
AQ10xx KJxx (1)
RKB1430
2
4
A
xx (2)
2 keycards without Queen
4nt(1) 5(2)
AKxxx
xxx (3)
What you have in Diamonds?
6(3)
6(4)
x
AKJ10 (4) no third control
pass
Obs: in (4) if Responder bids 6
dubleton Grand Slam is feasible. The King second step, considering no
room - should be bid in 6nt and step3 in 7.
example5
Opener Resp Opener Resp explanation
1 1
A Qxxxx (1)
RKB1430
3
4
AKJ82
Q9x (2)
1 keycards
4nt(1) 5(2)
AQxxx
x (3)
Do you have the Queen?
5(3)
6(4)
xx
AKxx (4)
Yes with K
and no K
6(5)
6(6)
.......................... (5) SSA for
Diamonds
pass ..................................... (6) no K
and deny singleton
.....................................
because has only 3 cards
example6
Opener Resp Opener Resp
explanation
1nt
2(1) AQ
x
(1) transfer
3(2)
4nt(3) AJ82
K109xxx (2)
16+ with 4 cards
5(4)
6(5)
AJxx x (3)
RKB0314 weak hand asking
6(6) pass
Jxx AK109x (4)
3 keycards
.....................................
(5) SSA for Clubs
..................................... (6)
no third control xxx
..................................... If
Qxx
ou dubleton 7
is feasible
===========================================
= ASKING KEYCARDS FOR MINORS
===========================================
Considerations:
When the agreed suit is a minor there are no room at level 5 to use the
Kantar's structured bids for searching partner's hand and so the RKB must
start at level 4.
Rule#5:
After an agreement at level 2 (inverted minors no GF) for a minor suit the
follow up RKB1430 for Clubs is 4 and for
Diamonds is 4
as long as it is done in jump by Opener or by Responder:
Opener Responder
Opener Responder
1
2
<= 10+ hcp 1
2
<=10+ hcp
4
<= RKB1430
4 <= RKB1430
Opener Responder
Opener Responder
1
2
1
2
2any 4
<= RKB1430 2any 4 <= RKB1430
Note: these RKB use always 1430 convention.
Rule#6: If the responses of RKB1430 for
minor was 4 or 4
then in continuation to search partern's hand the Asker may use 4nt
to ask for Kings or may use the bid of next suit to Queen-ask integrated
with the response of the cheapest King.
Opener Responder
Opener Responder
1
2
<= 10+ hcp 1
2
<=10+ hcp
4
<= RKB1430
4 <= RKB1430
4 <= 1 keycard
4
<= 1 keycard
4
<= zero or 3
4
<= zero or 3
4
<= 2 and no Q 4nt <= King-ask if 4
4nt <= King-ask
4nt <= Queen-ask if 4
Note: 4nt have three meanings depending on the response for keycards
1- after a keycard response of zero keycards 4nt is to play;
2- after a keycard response of 4
or 4
the 4nt is SKA
3- after a keycard response 4
that says zero or 3 without Queen then 4nt is SKA because Queen is
already known but if 4
is a keycard response showing zero or 3 then Queen is unknown so 4nt is
Queen-ask. That means Queen-ask is more priority than SKA.
On the other hand, when the responses for keycards is 4nt or 5 the Specific
King Ask can't be used in 5nt because this bid is reserved for a
general cuebid (Grand Slam try) where Asker says to his partner that all keycards and
the Queen are resolved and now he is asking if partner'a hand have some
undisclosed
extra like the Queen from a first
suit bid or a singleton not mentioned in the auction or a 6 cards length
to improve the chances of the success in a Grand Slam. Of course if
partner has a flat hand 4333 this is a big negative distribution and
so must denies the try for Grand Slam.
Furthermore, if you think in use 5nt to asking for
Kings when the agreed suit is a minor you may bypass the agreed suit and
push the contract to level 7 maybe missing a important King.
Of course after RKB response the Queen-ask is on and the bid of a new
suit is Specific Suit Ask, both good tools for searching the hand.
Another point aparently strange, but logical, is the fact that RKB for
minors sometimes will be bided in a high-ranking suit than 4/4
to avoid confusion
or ambiguity when partnership are just competing for a partial score or
making a invitation or yet making a sign-off.
So when the Asker needs to
make a RKB at level 4 he must exclude the suits already bid by himself or by
partner to avoid a confusion between RKB-ask and shows a solid suit or a retarded support.
Curiously when Hearts and Spades are suits already bid then RKB should be bid in 4nt
that is
a way to waste room for others searchea.
Rule#7: When the agreed suit is a minor we ask for keycards bidding the
agreed minor suit at level 4 and then 4nt may be SKA if the answer in keycards for Clubs was 4
(then 4 is for
Queen-ask) or 4
(then Queen denied) in keycard answer for Diamonds.
exemple7
Opener Responder
1
2 <=
inverted minors 10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
for Clubs and responses are:
4
<= 1 or 4 keycards
4
<= 0 or 3 keycards
4
<= 2 keycards and no Queen
4nt <=
2 keycards with Queen
So after 4
response or 4
or 4
we ask for Kings bidding 4nt
Opener Responder
4nt ? <= SKA after 4
or 4
5
<= return to agreed suit is no King
5
<= shows K
5
<= shows K
and denies K
5
<= shows K
and denies K
and K
5nt <= shows all 3
remainders Kings.
exemple8
Opener Responder
1
2 <=
inverted minors 10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
for Diamonds and responses are:
4
<= 1 or 4 keycards
4
<= 0 or 3 keycards
4nt
<= 2 keycards and no Queen
5
<=
2 keycards with Queen
So after 4
response
we ask for Kings bidding 4nt
But after 4
4nt is reserved for Queen-ask and there are no SKA
Opener Responder
4nt ? <= SKA only after 4
5
<= return to agreed suit is no King
5
<= shows K
5
<= shows K
and denies K
5
<= shows K
and denies K
and K
5nt <= shows all 3
remainders Kings.
Rule#8: Alert - after an opening in a minor the directly
response in 4 it is not asking for keycards
but just Gerber asking only for aces:Opener Responder 1 /1 4 <= asking for acesand the responses are: 4 = 0 or 4 aces; 4 = 1; 4 = 2; 4nt= 3.after response there are no more Gerber continuation, so any bid from Responder is conclusive (sign-off). Example of special hands that you may have as Responder: a) x
AKz
x
AKQ98xxx and
partner's opening was 1b) KQJ10543
AK
KJ3
2 and
partner's opening was 1c) 5
A
KQJ109xxx
Kxx and partner's
opening was 1Thus if you want to know only aces you need to use Gerber. |
Rule#9: To avoid ambiguity the bid of the agreed suit at level 4 asks for keycard
only after a jump or a splinter GF, else it is a sign-off by Responder showing 10-11 hcp or
may be an invitation by Opener. So to avoid this ambiguity the RKB asking for
keycards in the second or third round should be done in the next suit (of
the agreed suit at level 4) when it is a suit not bid by Opener.
example9
Opener Responder
1
2 <= inverted minors 10+
hcp
2 <= shows stopper in
and denies in
13+ hcp
.......... 3 <= shows stopper in Clubs
but indefined strength
3 <= denies stopper in
- not forcing (13-14 hcp)
......... ?
......... pass <= also not stopper in Hearts and 10-11 hcp
------ 3nt <= shows stopper in Hearts and 12+ hcp
......... 4 <= invitation to
5
......... 4 <= RKB1430 try to Slam (Hearts unbid suit)
......... 4 <= I can play in Spades Hxx or in 5
------. 5 <= to play
example10
Opener Responder
1
2 <= inverted minors 10+ hcp
2 <= shows stopper in
and denies in Diamons - 13+ hcp
3 <= shows stopper in
and denies in Spades
4 <= denies stopper in
- not forcing
......... ?
pass <=
minimum 10-11 hcp
4 <= RKB1430 for Clubs good hand 18+ hcp
4 <= I can play in Hearts Hxx or in 5
5 <= good hand
to play in 5 -
13-17 hcp
INTERFERENCE AT LEVEL 3
Rule#10:
After a minor suit is agreed if there are interference at level 3 the agreed suit bidded at level 4 is now just competitive
(non forcing) for the partial score,
not more a RKB.
Thus to ask for RKB it is necessary a jump in the
interfered suit + 1:
if interference was in 3 then RKB is now bidded at 4;
if interference was in 3 then RKB is now bidded at 4;
if interference was in 3 then RKB is now bidded at 4nt.
example11 interference and all no Vul
Opener Opponent1 Responder Opponent2
1
pass 2
3 <= preemptive
?
pass <= weak hand - 2+ losers
double <= honors in Hearts - possible 3 cards in Diamonds
3 <= good hand
- cuebid -
shorter in Hearts
3nt <= to play 14+ hcp
4 <= 55 shorter in Hearts
4 <= weak hand 5 and shorter in
invitation
4 <= cuebid - ask for Spades cuebid
4 <= RKB1430 for
Diamonds - strong hand
---------------------------------------------------
exemple12 interference and we Vul they nVul
Opener Opponent1 Responder Oppoent2
1
pass 2
3 <= preemptive
pass pass
?
............................. pass <= weak hand and no shorteness in
............................. double <= punitive - honors in
............................. 3nt <= to play
............................. 4 <= sign-off only 10-11 hcp
............................. 4nt <= RKB1430 for Clubs
RKB1430 AFTER MINOR AGREEMENT AT LEVEL 3
Rule#11: In a 2/1 GF sequence when Opener support Responder's minor suit
at level 3 - of course GF - then the rebid of the minor at level 4 by
Responder is RKB1430.
Opener Responder
1major 2
3
4 <= RKB1430
Opener Responder
1major 2
3
4
<= RKB1430
example13:
Opener:
A9xxx Kxx KQxx x
Responder: Qx AQx AJ1097 AKx
Opener Responder
Opener Responder
1
2
3
4
<= RKB1430 for
Explanation
5(1) 5 <= SSA for
1-
4th step - 2 keycards with Queen
6(2) pass
<= no
King 2-
returning to agreed suit = no K
example14:
Opener:
xxx Jxx Axx AKQs
Responder:
AK A KQ98xxx
xxx
Opener Responder
1 1
1nt 2
<= reverse 54 false
Explanation
3(1) 4
<= RKB1430
(1) agreement suit
4nt(2) 5 <= SSA in Clubs
(2) 3rd step - 2 keycard no Queen
6(3) 7nt
<= 13 tricks counted
(3) raise off asked suit means
pass
KQx so AKQ in Clubs
example15:
Opener:
AJ9x xx KJ10 KJ98
Responder: Kxx AKxx x
AQxxx
Opener Responder
1
1
1 2
<= fourth suit GF
Explanation
2nt 3 <= agreement for
(1) 3rd step - 2
keycard no Queen
3nt 4 <= RKB1430 in Clubs
4(1) 6
<= missing 1 keycard
pass
RKB1430 AFTER MINOR AGREEMENT AT LEVEL 4
Rule#12: In a 2/1 GF sequence when the
opening is a major and after the second suit of Opener and the
second suit of Responde become the agreed minor at level 4 then RKB1430
is made in the next suit and 4nt is a cuebid in RKB-suit.
So for Clubs agreed suit the RKB is in 4 and
the cuebid in 4nt shows honors in Diamonds denying honors in the unbid
major.
For Diamonds agreed suit the RKB is in 4
denying and 4nt is cuebid in Hearts
denying Spades control.
This convention is very important because it alerts partnership to avoid
bid a Slam missing A and K from the same suit. This means that we only
should bid RKB having first or second control in the unbid major.
example16
Opener: AKJ9xx x 4 AQ982
Responder:
xx KQ9xx Kx KJxx
Opener Responder
1 2
<= 2/1 GF
Explanation
3 4 <= agrement for Clubs (1)
RKB1430 for Clubs
4(1)
4(2)
(2) 1 keycard
5(3)
pass
(3) missing 2 keycard
example17:
Opener: Kx xx AQ4 AQ9872
Responder: AQxxx xx Kx
KJxx
Opener Responder
1 1
Explanation
2 4 <= agrement for
(1) cuebid for
Diamonds
4nt(1)
5(2)
denying
control for Hearts
pass
(2) also no Hearts control
Note: here 4
is RKB but without first or second control in Hearts the correct bid is a cuebid to avoid go to Slam missing A and K.
example18:
Opener: AKQxx x 4 AKJ98x
Responder: x QJ9xx AK98x
Qx
Opener Responder
1 1
Explanation
2
3 <= 4th
suit GF (1) reverse 65
3(1) 4
<= agreement
(2)
RKB1430 for Clubs
4(2)
4(3)
(3) 1 keycard
4(4)
5(5)
(4) Queen-ask
6
pass
(5) confirms Queen with K
example19:
Opener: AKxxx KQxx 764 x
Responder: x xx AKJ1098
Axx
Opener Responder
1 2
Explanation
2
3 (1)
not RKB just agreement to
4(1) 4nt(2)
(2)
RKB1430
Note that bidding
5(3)
6
Hearts or Spades will be sign-off
pass
(3) 1 keycards
Note: after minor agreement RKB is in the unbid major suit, but when
both majors are already bid RKB must be in 4nt and that does not allow
room for Queen-ask. But against our perception this Small Slam depending
on Queen it is yet a good negociation for IMPs because for Vul we gain:
- in case of success 1370 - 600 = 770 (profit) => 13 imps
and with 58% for the Queen drop we 0,58 x 13 = 7,54 IMPs per board
- in case of down 1 opponents will gain =>
-100(down 1) - 600(game) = 700 => 12 imps
and with (100-58)% the chances for down 1
we have 0,42 x 12 = 5,04 IMPs per board
- this means that 7,54 - 5,04 = 2,5 IMPs per board of advantage!
ASKING FOR QUEEN AFTER RKB FOR MINORS
Rule#13: After RKB response if Asker bids
the agreed suit it is sign-off, but by logic there are an exception,
if the response shows 3 keycards. then the bid of the agreed suit
is not sign-off anymore, it is a Queen-Ask.
Rule#14: When the response of keycards does not denies or ensures the possession of
trump's Queen (first and second steps of 1430 or 0314) Asker bidding the next suit
is a Queen-ask and the responses are:
- 4nt denies the possession of trump's Queen
- 5 of agreed suit shows trump's Queen but denies a side-suit King;
- bidding a different suit from agreed suit confirm trump's Queen and shows
the cheapest King up the line:
If 5 =>
5 shows King
Diamonds
5
shows King Hearts and denies K
5 shows King Spades and denies K and K
If 5 => 5
shows King Hearts
5 shows King Spades and denies K
6 shows King Clubs
and denies
K
and K.
When the response of RKB is 4 the priority for what means 4nt in this sequence
(SKA or Queen-ask) is for Queen-ask and responses are:
- bidding the agreed suit at level 5 (5/5)
denies the Queen;
- bidding a different suit confirms the Queen and shows the cheapest
King up the line;
- bidding the agreed suit at level 6 confirm trump's Queen and denies a
side-suit King
- biddint 5nt confirm the
Opener Responder ---
Opener Responder
1
2
--- 1
2
4 RKB 4
<=1 ---
4 RKB
4
<= 1
4
<= Queen-ask ---
4 <= Queen-ask
Opener Responder ---
Opener Responder
1
2
--- 1
2
2any 4
<= RKB --- 2any
4 RKB
4 <=1 4
<= Queen-ask 4
<=1 4 <= Queen-ask
?
?
After RKB, if possible, 4nt is a Specific King Ask (SKA)
Opener Responder
1
2
4 <= RKB1430
for
- strong hand
............ 4
<= 1 keycard
............ 4 <= 0 or 3 keycards
?
4nt <= Ask for Specific King
5 <=
Queen-ask after 4
(after 4
Queen-ask is 4)
5 <=
sign-off
5 <=
Specific Suit Ask (SSA) for Hearts
5 <= SSA for Spades
6 <= to play
Opener Responder
1
2
4 <= RKB1430
for
- strong hand
-------- 4nt <= 2 keycards without trump's Queen
............ 5
<= 2 keycards with trump's Queen
5 <=
SSA for Hearts
5 <= SSA for Spades
5nt <=
in this sequence 5nt is not asking for King but
just showing
all keycards and trying to bid Grand Slam if Responder has
good hand with some extras
After response for RKB or response for a Queen-ask, the bid of the agreed
suit is sign-off but the bid of another suit is a Specific Suit Ask (SSA) that wants to know the
second or third controls in this
specific suit
and the responses are:
step1 => Qxx or dubleton (third
control)
step2 => Kxx or Kxxx (second control)
step3 => Kx or KQx (second and third control)
jump to the asked suit => singleton (need 4
cards trump or no control)
return to agreed suit => no
control
xxx (3 losers)
example20 missing the trump's Queen and 1 keycard
Opener:
x KQJx AKxx AKxx
Responder: KQx Axx Qx J10xxx
Opener Responder
1
2 <= 10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
4 <= 1 or 4 keycards (assume 1)
4 <= partner do you have trump's Queen
.......... 5 <= no I don't have it
pass <= missing 1 keycard and the trump's Queen
example21 missing the trump's Queen and 1 keycard
Opener:
AQJ x KJ109x AQ9x
Responder:
Kx KQJ Axxx J8xx
Opener Responder
1
2 <=10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
4 <= 1 or 4 keycards (assume 1)
4 <= partner do you have trump's Queen
.......... 5 <= no I don't have it
pass <= missing 1 keycard and trump's Queen
Note: Apparently the chances for Slam are not good since a significative
incertainty exist in the Clubs suit due to the precipitate bidding made by the
Opener in not bid a splinter in 3 that may correct
the contract to 3nt.
---------------------------------------------------------------
example22 missing additional Kings - Queen-ask information
Opener:
Ax Axx AQx K10xxx
Responder:
QJx Qx xxx AQJ9xx
Opener Responder
1
2
4
4 <= 1 or 4 keycards (assume 1)
4 <= partner do you have trump's Queen
.......... 4nt <= yes I have it but no Kings
5 <= no Kings, so let's stop the bidding
now
.......... pass
example23 missing additional Kings - Queen-ask information
Opener:
Axx Axx Axxx AQ10
Responder:
QJx QJx KQJ10xx J
Opener Responder
1
2 <= 10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
4 <= 1 or 4 keycards (assume 1)
4 <= partner do you have trump's Queen
.......... 4nt <= yes I have it but no Kings
5 <= no Kings, so let's stop the
bidding now
........... pass
------------------------------------------------------
example24 response for specific King is 6nt
when there are 3 Kings
Opener:
Kx Kxx Kxx Axxxx
Responder:
Axxx Ax Ax KQ109x
Opener Responder
1
1
1nt 2 <= nmf
preparing to establish game force
2nt <= denies 4cards
and 3 cards
.......... 3 <= GF with Clybs agreed suit
3nt <= stopper in all unbid suits
......... 4 <= RKB1430
try for Slam
4 <= 1
keycard
.......... 4nt <= Asking for Specific King
6nt <= 3 kings
........... 7 <=
Kx in Spades because
nmf deny support so 13 tricks
---------------------------------------------------------------
example25 after RKB we Ask for Specific King with 4nt
Opener:
Ax
AKJ10
KQ109xx
x
Responder:
KJxxx
xxx
AJx
xx
Opener Responder
1
1
2
3 <= playing Leb after reverse this is GF
4 <= RKB1430 in Diamonds
.......... 4 <= show 1 keycard
4nt <= Asking for King should promise all keycards in a try
for Slam
5 <= shows King Spades denies K and K
6 <=
even missing one keycard it is near 70% in chances to make considering only
1 Clubs loser and the incertitude in Hearts suit.
Note: after the reverse bid Responder without any King, lets say with Qxxxx having 7 hcp should inform Opener about the strength of his hand
bidding 2nt transfer to Clubs and then supporting Opener in Diamonds. Of
course Opener with his strong hand will bid only game in 5.
----------------------------------------------------------------
example26 second ask for King
Opener: xx AKJ10x J109x Kx
Responder:
Ax Qx AKQxxx Axx
Opener Responder
1
2 <= 10+ hcp
3 <= 4 cards support
.................. the second king ask responses:
4 <= RKB1430 ...................
without King return to ask suit
4 <= 1 keycard ...........................
step1 - Kxx
4nt
<= Specific King Ask .... step2 - KQx
5 <= Shows K
...........................
...........
5 <= second king
ask for K
5nt <= second step so AKxxx - 6 denies
........... 7 I can count 13
tricks with Opener having 9 red cards
pass
------------------------------------------------------
exemple27 second king ask
Opener: xx AKJ10x J109x Kx
Responder:
Ax Qx AKQxxx Axx
Opener Responder
1
2
4 <= RKB1430
..........
4 <= 2 keycards whitout Queen
4nt <= Specifi King Ask
.......... 5
<= shows K and denies
K
5 <= second king ask: for K
.......... 5nt <= no K
but third control xx
6 <= let's stop in 6
.......... pass
----------------------------------------------------
example28 search for another King after SKA
Opener:
AK AJxx AQxxx xx
Responder:
xx KQx Kxxxx AKx
Opener Responder
1
2 <= 10+ hcp
4 <= RKB1430
.......... 4 <= 2 keycards whitout Queen
4nt <= Specific King Ask
.......... 5 <= K and may have
other King
5 <= partner do you have the K?
........... 6 <= third step =
KQ
7nt <= I can count 13 tricks
........... pass
RKB FOR DOUBLE FIT OR 2
SUITS KNOWN IN ONE HAND
Rule#15: When RKB asker knows by the auction that partner has 2 suits like
5-5 or when partnership self agreed in 2 suits the RKB has 6 keycards
(4A+2K+2Q) to be answer:
If RKB is made bidding 4nt, so less room, there are 5 answers possible:
step1 5 => 1 or 4 (1430) / 0 or 3 (0314)
keycards
step2 5
=> 0 or 3 (1430) / 1 or 4 (0314)
keycards
step3 5
=> 2 keycards and no Queen
step4 5
=> 2 keycards and 1 Queen
step5 5nt => 2 keycards and 2 Queens
But if RKB under 4nt, per example, in 4 after
partmership agreed in a major and in Clubs, then with more room avaiable
we may
distinction for lower or higher Queen,
and then we have 6 responses
possible:
step1 => 1 or 4 (1430) / 0 or 3 (0314) keycards
step2 => 0 or 3 (1430) / 1 or 4 (0314) keycards
step3 => no Queen
step4 => Queen of the lower ranking suit
step5 => Queen of the higher ranking suit
step6 => both Queens
In both situations above when RKB do not clarify resolve the possession or
exclusion of the Queen Asker bidding the next suit, excluding the agreed
suit, is a Queen-ask in 4 steps:
step1 => no Queen
step2 => lower-ranking Queen only
step3 => higher-ranking Queen only
step4 => both Queens
exemple29:
Opener:
KJ10xx
KQJx
x
KQx
Responder:
A9x
Axx
Ax
AJ98x
Opener Responder
1
2
2
3 <= support
4 <= double
agreement
.......... 4
<= RKB for 6 responses (4A+2K+2Q)
5 <= fourth
step - 2 keycard and lower Queen (Q)
.......... 5nt <= Grand Slam Forcing - shows all Aces
.......... now Opener has to review his hand for extras
.......... and in this case he has enough extras to bid 7
.......... Opener has a singleton and strong Hearts suit.
7
pass
more
than 95% in chancse to make
HOW KANTAR PROPOSE TO MAKE ASKING FOR KEYCARDS WITH
DOUBLE FIT TO HAVE MORE ROOM TO SEARCH IN CONTINUATION:
1-
major-major agreement ending in 4 or 4
then 4nt is RKB;
2-
minor-major agreement ending in 4 or 4 then 4nt is RKB;
3- Clubs-major agreement ending in 3 or 3 then 4
is RKB
this strategic allows you to gain 4 steps;
4- Diamonds-major agreement ending in 3 or 3
then 4 is RKB
this strategic allows you to gain 3 steps;;
4- major-Clubs
agreement ending in 4
then 4 is RKB
this strategic allows you to gain 3 steps;
5- major-Diamonds
agreement ending in 4
then the non agreed major is RKB - this strategic allows you to gain 1
or 2 steps.
Thus this summary is very important to understand the way to save space
in the responses to RKB when there are agreement in two suits.
Opener Responder
........... pass
1
2 <=
Qx
KQ10zx
x
A109xx
2nt 3
<= singleton
(5521)
Opener Responder
........... pass
1
2 <=
AQ10xx
zx
KJ10x
Jx
2nt 3
<= no singleton (5422)
Example30 When hand fits
Opener:
Kxx
Ax
AKx
A10xxx
Responder:
AQ10xx
x
8x
KJxxx
Opener Responder
.......... pass
1
2 <= Spades and Clubs
9-11 hcp
2nt <= ask for distribution
.......... 3
<= singleton
(5421)
4 <= RKB1430 for
Clubs
.......... 5
<= fifth step -2 keycards and higher Queen (Q)
7 <= considering 10
cards fit no need to have the Queen
so we
can count 13 tricks
-----------------------------------------------------
example31 double fit includes 4A+2K+2Q
So Queens possible = no Q / lower Q / higher Q / both Q
Opener:
A9xx Q109x Ax J98
Responder: Kx AKJxx x AKxxx
Opener Opponent1 Responder Opponent2
All Vul
1
pass 1
2 <= preemptive
3 pass
4(1)
pass
4(2) pass
4nt(3) pass
5nt(4)
pass 6(5)
pass
(1) double suit agreement
(2) weak hand
(3) RKB1430 for
(4) having double fit the ask is for 4A+2K+2Q
so 4nt is step5 2 keycards + higher Queen Hearts
(5) missing Queen of Clubs
DOUBLE FIT FOR PASSED HAND
Rule#16: After an opening in a minor in third or fourth position if the
passed hand jumps in a major this promisses 4+ cards in the Opener minor
and shows 5 cards majors with 10-11 hcp. It is a Fit-Showing Jump and so
the Opener 2nt bid is reserved to ask for a singleton and Responder
denies shows 5422 when bids partner's minor.
example32
Opener:
A9xx Axx x KJ98x
Responder:
KQ7xx x xx A10xxx
Opener Responder
pass
1
2 <= 5
cards and support 4+
with 10-11 hcp
2nt <= ask for singleton
........... If 3
distribution 5=2=2=4
........... If 3
distribution 5=2=1=5
........... If 3
distribution 5=1=2=5
3
<= singleton
4 <= RKB1430 for
Clubs with 6 steps (include lower/higher Q)
5
<= step5 (2 keycards and higher Queen)
6 <= both blacks
suit are possible - Clubs fit 10 cards seems safed
RESPONSES FOR KEYCARDS WITH
A USEFUL VOID
(of course not in partner's suit)
Rule#17- After 4nt RKB asking
for keycards if we have a useful void we may bid 5nt having a even (0 or
2) number of keycards
and we may jump to level 6 in the void suit (if possible) when we have an odd (1
or 3) number of keycards, but if the void is in a high-ranking suit we need jump to trump's suit to explain to partner that our void
is in a high-ranking suit.
example33
Opener Responder
1 2
<= GF
3
4nt <= RKB for Hearts
?
5nt <= one useful void and even (0 or 2) keyscards
6
<= void in
and odd (1 or 3) keycards
6
<= void in
and odd (1 or 3) keycards
---------------------------------------------------
example34
Opener Responder
1
2
<= GF
3
4
4nt <= RKB for Diamonds
?
5nt <= 1 useful void
(not in
)
and 0 or 2 keycards
6
<= void in
and 1 or 3 keycards
Note: if the void is in Spades - partner suit - no void is showed
--------------------------------------------------
example35
Opener:
AK9xxx KQx x xxx
Responder:
Qxxxx Axx Axxxx
-
Opener Responder
1
4
<= splinter - shows 4+ cards support
4nt <= RKB1430 for Spades
5nt <= 1 useful void and zero or 2 keycards (assume 2)
7
pass
Note: of course the void is in Clubs and with
a 10 cards fit don't
needs search for Q
-------------------------------------------------
example36
Opener:
Axxx AJ9876 - Axx
Responder: KQx Kxxxx xx
KQx
Opener Responder
1 2nt
<= Jacoby 12-16 hcp and 4+
cards
3
<= shorter in Diamonds
........ 4nt <=RKB1430 for Hearts
6
<= void in
and (1 or 3) keycards (assume 3)
........ 7
<= very logical Grand Slam bidded
pass
-------------------------------------------------
example37
Opener:
Axxx AJ9876 - Jxx
Responder: KQxxxx Kx xxx Ax
Opener Responder
1
1
2
3
4 <=
splinter - shorter Diamonds
........
4nt <= RKB1430 for
Spades
?
5nt <= one useful void and even (0 or 2) keyscards (assume 2)
........ 7
courageous and logical bid when hands fits
pass
/ / /