PITBULLS:

 

          Q Bids are the most ambiguous bids in Bridge. A T/O double leads to many competitive auctions so I feel that there should be a default understanding to a Q bid by the responder to the T/O doubler. This default understanding is also predicated on whether there was a double available. A double should show a good hand so it is redundant to the Q bid that just shows overall strength. I feel a Q bid should show the very difficult to bid two suiters as the default understanding. This Q bid should not include a two suiter in the minor suits as 4NT is universally accepted to show that hand type.

 

          Everybody vul and they open 2♠ with partner making a T/O double & RHO jamming with 3♠. You hold ♠Ax ♥Kxx ♦Kxx ♣AQxxx so now what ? The Q bid to show strength is silly as it uses up bidding room when a double would show strength. You double & partner holds ♠x ♥AJxx ♦AQJxx ♣KJx so he shows his extra by bidding 5♦. Here is where I like an initial Q bid at the 5 level to be Exclusion KCB. It is a sneaky way of playing KCB at the 5 level when there is grand slam interest. You bid 5♠ which is Exclusion KCB for diamonds. Partner bids 6♥ which shows 2 Aces & the trump queen. You bid 7♦ and all is well.

 

          Gittleman feels that Q bidding starting at the 5 level is a waste of time. Phony exclusion or real exclusion allows KCB at the 5 level and suit asking bids or specific king asking can follow. I think Exclusion in competition at the 5 level is a good tool.