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Detail specifications 64JD - Level 4

Roman Key Card Blackwood 41-30

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Roman Key Card Blackwood 41-30
When using Roman Key Card Blackwood, most of the time we expect P to have at least one ace. It's more economical to bid 5 with one or 4 aces and 5 with 0 or 3 aces
This economical bidding, sometimes enables to search for the Queen of trump and not necessarily having to play a slam whatever the response.
In the example below, the team use Roman Blackwood 30-41 and are unable to go for slam : because there is a key card and the queen of trump missing
A
2
K
J
7
6
5
4
Q
5
A
Q
7
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
5
Pass
Pass
K
Q
4
3
A
Q
9
2
K
10
3
2
3
Exercise 9633 The team play 30-41 and the Responder doesn't know if there's a slam or not because there's an ace and the queen of trump missing But if he uses a relay bid (5) this bid leads to slam whatever the response. ....
 
 
Roman Key Card Blackwood 41-30
Let's take the same example as players who use 41-30!
The Opener responds 5 (4 ou 1 keys) and the Responder who doesn't have the Queen of Trump can check if Opener has it by using the relay bid of 5
A
2
K
J
7
6
5
4
Q
5
A
Q
7
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
5
Pass
5
Pass
6
K
Q
4
3
A
Q
9
2
K
X
3
2
3
Exercise 9634 The Opener responds positively to the question : do you have the Queen of Trump ? (all bids in any other suit except trump promises the Queen of trump). Team can then go on to bid and win the slam!
 
 
Roman Key Card Blackwood 41-30
Everything remains unchanged except the meaning of the 1st 2 levels (5 and 5 )
  • 5 : 4 or 1 keys 41
  • 5 : 3 or 0 keys 30
  • 5 : 2 keys and not the Queen of trump
  • 5 : 2 keys with the Queen of trump
  • 5 SA : 2 keys and a void
  • 6 in a suit : 3 or 1 keys and a void in the suit bid

Not any more difficult to memorise than the 30-41 and more economical in use of levels, the Blackwood 41-30 can sometimes help in finding the whereabouts of the Queen of trump. Try using it with your P! So as not to confuse our subscribers, your Coach doesn't use it as it's not FFB recommended.