In a number of sequences, Blackwood is replaced by an Ace-showing
device, orginally devised by Ely Culbertson as “Culbertson 4 N”. This has been
developed in
Thus, 4 tnat is key-card showing:
* after
a cuebidding sequence has started
* as a bid on 4 tit even without any prior
cuebid (exceptions: see below)
Techniques after SG
and Carrot 4 N are similar and described below. 4 N Carrot always requires a
previous cue-bid (and not only a bid showing a short suit) in order not to be
interpreted as RKCB (though 4 N – SG over 4 ª -
does not).
* directly on a short-suit showing bid, or
directly after a reply on a short-suit asking bid
* directly after a SO in trumps by R to a
short-suit showing bid
* as a jump or as a raise
* in the following specific situations:
-
preemptive opening
-
* after op’s intervention on the 3-level or
higher
* when a previously bid suit is a possible
alternative trump, and bids in that suit are SO
* after ”commandos” to
Furthermore, 4 N as a SO on natural
4 tnat shows at least 3 key-cards (but: see “reductions” below), but does not guarantee that all suits are controlled. 4 N Carrot shows the same thing, and normally indicates that all side-suits are controlled (a requirement due to reduced bidding space).
* R to 17+, shows at least 2 key-cards
* O, if R has shown 17+, shows at least 2
key-cards
* a minimal O (positively limited to 11-13,
including the “mini” 1 §)
shows at least 2 key-cards
* any hand which point-wise has limited
itself to 13 HCP shows at least 2 key-cards
* after 1 § -
1 ¨ O shows at least 4 and R at least 1
key-card
* after a void-showing bid (NB must be
followed by another cuebid, else RKCB) both players show at least 2 (interesting)
key-cards (3 after 1 § -
1 ¨ by O)
If R for any reason thinks he can see how
high the partnership should end, he bids directly to the perceived correct level in trumps.
Cuebids below next level in trumps are neutral and say nothing about the number of key-cards, nor anything about grand slam interest. If R follows up a cuebid with 5 tnat, this shows that all 5 key-cards are in the partnership’s possession
In the continuation, 4 N is a cuebid in the SG suit with the same key-card requirement as any other cuebid. Cuebids are, of course, still made “down-up”.
5 tnat directly (i.e. a raise) shows the remaining key-cards but indicates a lack of a showable (interesting) control and/or denies grand slam interest (5 N directly on this bid shows grand slam interest and that the “cheapest” new control is in the SG suit, other suits are cuebids aiming at a grand slam, 6 tnbt (5 ª if § are trumps) is a direct trump queen asking bid).
With grand slam interest, R normally
cuebids below trumps and later raises the tempo.
Jumps in ns shows a void and (normally) exactly one key-card. A jump to 6 tnbt (see above) as a trump queen asking bid has priority, though.
In a Carrot 4 N situation, 5 tnat shows the remaining key-cards and bids above this exactly one key-card and interest in a grand slam. 4 N – 5 N shows the same thing, with the only control in the suit immediately above the trumps.
What is said about the number of key-cards is, of course, adjusted in reduced SG/Carrot situations.
The below conventions are not played in
undisturbed RKCB situations.
Hans Göthe with his “suit immediately above
trumps” again: 5tnat as a jump or raise (not if over a SG) replaces traditional “Josephine” as a
trump asking bid.
*
one step: Ace or King ---> Relay asks for extra length
*
two steps: extra length ---> Relay asks for further extra length
*
three steps: AQ or KQ
*
four steps: (trumps): cannot describe
the hand with one of the other bids
*
grand slam: AK
If only interested in the trump queen,
Baron (6 tnbt)is normally used.
According to the situation, 5 tit (M) as a
jump or raise asks for
*
two top honours in the suit --> R’s 5 N shows AK and extra length, ns shows
the same thing, but with extra values in the suit bid
* control in op’s suit – R is practically
forced to bid slam with one. Ns shows first- round control in that suit, grand
slam interest, and extra values
* control in the side suits – the bidder
has solid trumps without any side controls
6 tnbt (which must be from, or bypass, 5 N)
or 5 ª (for §) looks for the trump queen or relevant extra
length.