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The Kickback Convention |
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‘Everybody' these days plays Roman Keycard Blackwood (RKCB), and quite right too – it is far superior to the standard version and it is used in most situation within this site. However, whenever you use Blackwood (whatever variety you choose) there is always a problem with the lower ranking suits as trumps because the reply may get you too high. In fact, you may even have a problem with RKCB when ♥ 's are trumps: - |
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West |
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East |
West |
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East |
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| ♠ |
KQ762 |
♠ |
J |
1♠ |
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2♥ |
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(1) RKCB |
| ♥ |
KQ8 |
♥ |
AJ109765 |
3♥ |
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4NT |
(1) |
(2) two key cards + ♥Q |
| ♦ |
AJ54 |
♦ |
KQ |
5♠ |
(2) |
? |
(3) |
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| ♣ |
10 |
♣ |
KQJ |
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The point is that 4NT does not work as RKCB when ♥ 's are trumps. East justifiably had visions of slam but now 5NT at (3) would be asking for kings and we are too high! The problems are even worse with a minor suit and you may also get problems when asking for the trump queen. The only real way to solve this is to ensure that you have 4 steps between your Blackwood asking bid and the trump suit. |
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There are a few solutions; 4-of-the-minor as Blackwood for minor suits is one of them. But probably (I believe definitely) the best is Kickback; this uses the suit above trumps as the key card ask. So in this actual example 4♠ at (1) would be RKCB and then East would pass the 5♥ response. Kickback was conceived by the American expert/author Marty Bergan. It has not, to date, received the merit that it justly deserves - it probably is light years ahead of 'standard' methods. In my book on Advanced No Trump Bidding I use Kickback throughout - there really is no sensible alternative. |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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