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Detail specifications 52HB - Level 1

Controls

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Controls are used when a slam seems possible and before the Blackwood
The principles :

  • A suit is controlled when there is no (or maximum 1) trick to lose on a lead in this suit.
  • Controls are always bid in an economic sequence : skipping one is a control denial.
  • When a suit is not controlled (by none of the players) the last player to bid gets back to the trump suit. It's a Stop.
  • No Blackwood if a control is missing.

A
K
6
A
Q
9
5
2
J
3
8
4
2
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
5
K
J
10
6
A
K
Q
10
4
Q
6
5
Exercise E6197 3 first control
4 = control
N doesn't control (he would name it) ; S neither. The contract is going to be 4 .
 
 
Different control types
  • A void or a singleton are controls for a trump contract, obviously not in NT.
  • Aces and Ks are efficient controls in a trump or NT contract.
  • Aces and voids are 1st round controls, singletons and Ks are 2nd round controls

A
5
2
Q
9
4
A
3
A
10
6
4
3
SWNE
1
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
5
Pass
6
Pass
7
K
Q
4
A
K
J
8
2
K
Q
4
2
5
Exercise E6224
3 = control
4 = control
4 NT = Blackwood
5 3 or 0 key
5 "collante" to check if the partner holds the Q.
 
 
When is a bid a control bid ?
  With a fit, when a trump suit has been clearly agreed, and when naming a new suit is going above game level.
  Or when the pair strength is well defined and high enough to think of a slam.
4
3
A
J
6
K
A
Q
J
9
5
3
2
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
3
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
7NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
6
5
Q
A
Q
J
10
6
4
K
10
4
Exercise E6293
4 showing a fit
4 = control
4 = control
S has shown the missing control... N goes for the Blackwood : 4 NT.5 : 3 keys
 
 
Getting back to the trump suit
may mean :
  • a slam denial because a control is missing
  • a lack of the following control

J
5
J
4
3
A
5
K
Q
J
10
6
4
SWNE
1
2
2
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Q
8
6
A
K
Q
10
9
7
6
9
A
7
Exercise 6633 4 : N has initiated the slam bids sequence, but has no control. S hasn't got it neither.. no slam.S would have bd 4 NT (Blackwood) if he had had the control.
 
7
2
J
6
5
3
J
5
4
J
8
7
3
SWNE
1
2
Pass
2
3
4
5
Pass
Pass
5
A
K
10
5
4
A
K
Q
9
8
4
6
4
Exercise E6642 N hasn't got control (he would have bid it !) : the contract to be played is 5 .