Friday, August 30, 2002 5:06 AM

2♣ – KCB

PITBULLS:

Since I have been out of Bridge for quite a long time , the biggest improvement I have seen in bidding since I have come back are the KCB sequences ( the Queen asks , EKB , Specific Kings , Suit asking , treatment over minors and treatment over 2♣ ) Today lets review the treatment over 2♣ …..

After a strong, artificial 2♣ opening, if a fit is uncovered, it is the 2♣ bidder who should be doing the keycard asking . Therefore over positive responses when the 2♣ bidder supports the suit it is KCB . If the responder raises the minor it is just natural . This agreement allows 4NT when NT has been bid to always be quantitative by either side. If the 2♣ opener pulls 3NT to 4 of a minor it is RKB in that minor. The 2♣ opener has Blackwood rights that other auctions do not have. The 4 level is the agreement and the ask only by a 2♣ opening bid.

Opener  Responder
2♣  3♣ (natural 2 of 3)
4♣ (RKB clubs)

Opener  Responder
2♣  3♦ (natural 2 of 3)
4♦ (RKB diamonds)  

Quite often when partner bids a positive minor , you know that she holds the queen of trump. Ask for it anyway as its an economical way of asking for Kings !

Opener Responder

S. Axx S. Kx

H. AKx H. Qxx

D. AKQx D. xxx

C. KJx C. AQxxx

Opener Responder

2C 3C

4C (1) 4D (2)

4H (3) 4S (4)

5H (5) 5S (6)

7NT

(1) KCB

(2) 1 or 4

(3) Queen ask

(4) Yes with spade King

(5) Suit ask in hearts

(6) I have the queen

(7) I count 13 tricks

Even though there has been no suit agreement, normally a necessity preceding a keycard ask, in these two sequences opener's last bid is a keycard ask in responder's suit.  

Opener  Responder
S. AKQJ  S. x
H. AK9xx  H. xx
D. AJx  D. KQ10xxx
C. Q  C. Kxx

Opener  Responder
2C  3D
4D (1)  4H (2)
4S (3)  5C (4)
6NT (5)  Pass

(1) RKB (diamonds).
(2) 1
(3) Queen-ask.
(4) Yes, with CK.
(5) A home run (Call 911 if partner has the singleton king of clubs!)

the 2C opener can also use four of the last bid minor as RKB if partner's second bid is a natural 3C or 3D.

Opener Responder
S. AKJxx S. x
H. Kx H. AJ10xx
D. Ax D. xxx
C. AKxx C. QJ9x

Opener Responder
2C 2H
2S 3C (1)
4C (2) 4D (3)
4S (4) 5C (5)
5NT (6) 6C (7)
All Pass 

(1) Natural.
(2) RKB

(3) 1
(4) Queen-ask.
(5) Shows the queen but denies a king (4NT would deny the CQ).
(6) Anything extra?
(7) Not really.

Exclusion Key Card Blackwood (EKB) After Minor Suit Agreement

Before getting into this, it might be wise to review the responses to EKB:

1st step:  0
2nd step: 1
3rd step:  2
4th step:  3

The next step after a 0, 1, or 2 response, if not the agreed suit, is the queen-ask. 

With a minor fit there is no such thing as a void showing splinter by a strong hand . It is EKB .

When one hand has overpowering strength, such as a 2♣ opener , chances are that hand does NOT want to make a splinter jump .  The strong hand is more interested in asking for information, as opposed to giving it . Therefore a jump by the 2♣ opener after a minor fit is EKB .

Opener Responder
S. AKQJx S. xx
H. AKJx H. xx
D. D. K10x
C. KQxx C. AJ10xxx

Opener Responder
2C 3C
4D (1) 4S (2)

7C (3)

1 EKB in diamonds (4clubs would be RKB clubs).

2 Ace outside of diamonds

3 Yeah