Roman Key Card Blackwood


Roman Key Card Blackwood


Roman Key Card Blackwood

______ Easley Blackwood gave the bridge world one of its most popular, oft misused and overused conventions. Before we get to a discussion of Roman Key Card Blackwood we should have a firm foundation in how regular Blackwood works. In its most basic form we have 4NT asking for Aces. The responses are simple:

5C
0 or all 4 Aces.
5D
1 Ace.
5H
2 Aces.
5S
3 Aces.


______ If and only if the pair has all 4 Aces (or, as will see, all 5 Key Cards) 4NT bidder (i.e. "Blackwooder") can rebid 5NT to ask for Kings to be shown in like manner.

6C
0 or all 4 Kings.
6D
1 King.
6H
2 Kings.
6S
3 Kings.


______ Note: The 5NT call does more than merely ask for Kings. It confirms possession of all four Aces (and the King of trumps if playing Roman Key Card Blackwood) and, except in rare cases of Backward Blackwood, invites Partner to bid to the seven level if Partner has a source of tricks.

______ But what if Blackwooder discovers that the pair is missing an Ace? Generally speaking, is the pair committed to bidding slam?

Yes.
No.



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