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Detail specifications 21LJ - Level 2 ★

Gerber convention

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Gerber convention
In response to a 1NT opening,
  • 4NT is a quantitative bid, asking the opener to bid a small slam if he holds a maximum hand (16-17 HCP).
  • The Gerber 4♣ is a convention bid, asking the opener how many Aces he has... It is a very easy to remember convention, and very useful when the responder holds a strong unbalanced hand
SWNE
1NT
Pass
4
A
8
K
9
4
K
6
K
Q
J
10
9
8
Problem E20526 The only thing that matters here is to know how many Aces the opener has in hand. If he's got 2 of them...small slam, indeed !
 
 
Developments
The responses to a 4♣ Gerber conventional bid are quite usual :
  • 4♦ 4 or 0 Ace
  • 4♥ 1 Ace
  • 4♠ 2 Aces
  • 4NT 3 Aces
5♣ is K asking, with the same response system
A
8
K
9
5
K
6
K
Q
J
9
8
2
SWNE
1NT
Pass
4
Pass
4
Q
J
7
6
A
Q
J
7
A
J
7
7
6
Problem E20528 In response to his partner's 4♣ (Gerber), the opener bids 4♠ to show 2 Aces. The responder will safely call a small NT slam. Had the partner used a 4NT quantitative bid, they would have missed this slam, as the opener has a minimum 1NT opening hand.
 
 
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