Imagine an SAYC sequence such as:
1H-Pass-2S-5C.
Imagine a 2/1 GF auction such as:
1S-Pass-2H-5D
The opponents are not vulnerable in both
cases. We are in a game-forcing auction in either
event, but RHO's jump to 5-of-a-minor has prevented
us from using 4NT, Blackwood. What is worse, it is
not clear whether we are interested in slam or not.
Consider this set of alternatives, similar to
treatments of interference over Roman Blackwood:
BID = Natural, an EVEN number of
Aces and interest in declaring, not
defending.
PASS = An ODD number of Aces WITH an interest
in bidding on.
DOUBLE = Uninterested in bidding on. This may
suggest poor support for partner's
suit, a doubleton or wasted values in
their suit, an unrebiddable suit of our
own and/or few Aces (and therefore
unwilling to bid 5-of-a-suit here).
These responses give us "BEP0DU": Bid Even,
Pass Odd, Double Uninterested.
Since we might choose to double their contract
if we had NO Ace, the suit rebid suggests TWO (or FOUR)
Aces. Typically, one might pass the opponent's bid
with 1 or 3 Aces and remove PARTNER's double with three.
In this way, the partnership may avoid making phantom
sacrifices and may not be forced to guess their Ace
holding on hands where there is a slam in the offing.
If trump is known, as after a Jacoby 2NT
response to our major suit opening, Blackstone will
refer to KEY CARDS rather than Aces. 1S-Pass-2NT-5H
will see PASS (1 or 3 Key Cards), Double (penalty)
or 5S (2 or perhaps 4 Key Cards). Similarly, a pair
may choose to play DEPODU even if partner HAS
Blackwooded. 1H-Pass-4NT-5D may see the same
response set in action.
Any cuebid of their suit shows ALL the
Aces or Key Cards and interest in a grand slam. Any
OTHER cuebid (i.e. in a new suit) shows all the Aces
or Key Cards, but lacking grand slam interest. A
jump to 6 of our suit shows all but one such card
AND suggests that the partnership holds a control in
their suit.
Examples
SAYC. You're vul. After 1D-Pass-2H-5C you hold:
A) S- KQxx H- x D- AQxxx C- J10x
Double. You'd like to defend here.
B) S- AKxx H- xx D- AQxx C- J10x
Bid 5D! 2H showed either SEMI-SOLID Hearts
or Diamond support, so show your 2 Aces here.
C) S- Axx H- Qxx D- AQxxx C- A
Pass, to show your ODD number of Aces. If
partner doubles their 5C, rebid 5H to show
your THREE Aces and respectable Heart support.
D) S- KQxx H- Qxx D- AKxx C- xx
Pass, to show your ODD number of Aces. If
partner doubles, PASS AGAIN.
2. Vul vs. not, playing 2/1 Game Forcing. After
1H-Pass-4NT-5D or 1H-Pass-2NT-5D you hold:
A) S- Axx H- KQxxx D- x C- Axxx
Pass to show 1 or 3 KEY CARDS, pulling
any double to 5H to show THREE of them.
B) S- Axx H- AKxxx D- Ax C- Axx
Cuebid 5S to show ALL FIVE Key Cards, but
lacking enough power to strongly suggest
7H, as a cuebid of 6D might.
C) S- AJxx H- AKxxx D- void C- AKxx
Cuebid 6D, inviting 7H with, in essence,
all 5 Key Cards.
D) S- KQJx H- KJxxx D- xx C- Kx
Double, to slow partner down.
E) S- KQx H- AJxxx D- xx C- Axx
Bid 5H, showing an EVEN number of Key
Cards (usually TWO). With FOUR, you
might bid 6H if your side had Diamonds
controlled.
F) S- AKx H- AKxxx D- xxxx C- A
While there are no guarantees in life,
the 4 small Diamonds suggest that PARTNER
will likely have a Diamond control here.
Hence, bid 6H to show your 4 Key Cards.
------------------ Pronunciation Note ---------------
And how does one pronounce "BEPODU"? Easy.
Just imagine having a vicious cold and trying to
pronounce: "People do." :)
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