Main
Detail specifications 52HB - Level 1 ★
Controls
Controls are used when a slam seems possible and before the Blackwood
The principles :
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.
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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
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Exercise E6224
3 ♠ = control
4 ♣ = control
4 NT = Blackwood
5 ♣ 3 or 0 key
5 ♦ "collante" to check if the partner holds the Q.
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.
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.
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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
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 :
may mean :
- a slam denial because a control is missing
- a lack of the following control
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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.
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Exercise E6642 N hasn't got ♦ control (he would have bid it !) : the contract to be played is 5 ♥.
FR version
4 ♣ = ♣ control
N doesn't control ♦ (he would name it) ; S neither. The contract is going to be 4 ♥.