Saturday, August 31, 2002 7:52 PM

Specific King Ask – KCB

PITBULLS:

5NT asking for the number of kings is old-fashioned . 5NT in modern KCB is specific king ask . Suit asking bids after the king responses . 5NT still guarantees all the Aces and the queen of trump .

1. RESPONDING TO THE 5NT SPECIFIC KING ASK

 After a 4NT RKB ask and response, 5NT asks for specific kings up the line.   If responder has one king, he bids that suit.   If responder has two kings, he bids the lower ranking king first.   If responder has three kings,  he bids 6NT forcing to a grand slam in either notrump or the agreed suit.   If the responder can count 13 tricks, he should NOT respond specific kings, but simply bid the grand.   In fact, showing a king in response to the SKA denies the ability to count 13 tricks.

For our purposes, the 5NT bidder guarantees  joint possession of all four aces plus the king-queen of the agreed suit.

2. RESPONDING TO THE SKA, HEARTS AGREED, HOLDING JUST THE SK.

The responder to 5NT may feel a bit uncomfortable showing the SK, hearts agreed; a 6S response could easily propel the partnership to a grand slam.    Should the responder show the SK?   Yes, and no!

If the asker is KNOWN from the previous bidding to hold two or more spades, the SK must be shown.   If it is probable, or even likely, from the previous bidding that the asker may have fewer than two spades, the SK is not shown.

Furthermore, if either player has splintered, a six level response to the SKA in the splinter suit, shows the SK.    It is wasteful for the responder to show the king of the splinter suit when hearts is the agreed suit, so why not use it for something useful? 

Hand #3  THIS ONE NOT THAT ONE

Opener                                      Responder                         
    S. A                                         S. KJx                                 
    H. KQJxx                               H. A10x                              
    D. AQ10xx                             D. xx                                 
    C. Kx                                      C. A10xxx                         

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

(1) 3D would be a splinter.
(2) Opening bid values with three card heart support.
(3) RKB (1430).
(4) 2 without.
((5) SKA- looking for the DK, not the SK! If opener wants to know of the SK, he can bid 5S, the Specific Suit Ask.    There will be enough room for responder tell all about his spade holding, including the king.    Sometimes you have to be inventive!
(6) No Diamond King.

Note: The sure-fire way of knowing when partner has two or more spades, hearts agreed, are: (1) he has bid notrump to show a balanced hand; (2) splintered in another suit; (3) raised spades.

Here is another example of a 5NT (SKA)

Hand #4  A MILLENIUM ASK

    Opener                     Responder                 
    S. AKxx                     S. QJ10xx                      
    H. Ax                          H. KQ                               
    D. Axxx                      D. Q                                 
    C. AKx                       C. QJ10xx                     

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

(1) RKB 0314 (weak hand asking strong)

(2) 5 without! It is inconceivable that a strong 2C opener would have "2
without" in this sequence.

(3) Specific kings?

(4) CK

(5) ) That's the one I was looking for.

Had opener responded 6D to 5NT, 7S would depend upon a club finesse.


ASKING FOR THIRD ROUND CONTROL FOLLOWING A SKA AND A 5S RESPONSE

Hand #6  DIGGING, DIGGING, AND FINDING NOTHING

 Opener                                            Responder
 S.  xx                                                 S. AKJx
 H. AKxxxx                                        H. QJx
 D. AKxx                                             D. xxx
 C. A                                                    C. Jxx

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

 (1) RKB (1430)
 (2) 1
 (3) Queen-ask
 (4) Yes, with SK
 (5) Third round diamond control?  (If opener wants uncover the DK, he bids  5NT).
 (6) No
 (7) That's life.