January 2022 - 65

Special Contributor
BY DR. JAMES
MARSH STERNBERG
mmay001@aol.com
I
n the last issue, we looked at
slam-oriented hands where
Blackwood wasn't helpful due to a
flaw: a low doubleton or a void. So if
we can't use Blackwood, what's the
solution? One needs to cuebid first,
trying to ascertain more about partner's
hand.
Cuebidding is a much better alternative.
There are many types of cuebids.
For purposes of this discussion,
let's use the definition from The Official
Encyclopedia of Bridge: a forcing
bid in a suit in which the bidder cannot
possibly wish to play. In auctions
after the trump suit has been established,
this type of cuebid is a slam
try, typically a bid below 4NT. Originally,
these slam-try cuebids showed
aces, period. But after the Italian
Blue Team won world championships
year after year, the Italian cuebid
style became popular. These cuebids
showed either first- or second-round
control of the suit named, i.e., they
promised an ace, king, singleton or a
void. Judgment applies. With a choice
of cuebids, you should choose the order
of cuebids that will best facilitate
further cuebids for both partners. For
example, with:
A K J 5 4 kK Q J 6 4 lQ 4 'A,
you open 1 and partner bids 3, a
limit raise. You should next cuebid
4'. If partner cuebids 4l, you know
you are not off two fast tricks in the
diamond suit, as partner must have
an ace, king, singleton or a void in
diamonds.
Now what? You might just bid 6
directly and receive the heart lead
you can then expect.
Consults with the Doctor
The many faces of 4NT-continued
Of course, like everything in bridge,
there are exceptions to the " rules. "
You hold:
K Q 4 kA K 10 9 6 4 l7 5 3 'Q.
Partner opens 1l, you reply 1k,
and partner jumps to 4k showing a
relatively balanced 19- or 20-HCP
hand with four-card heart support.
You could have a grand slam but 10 or
11 tricks might be the limit.
What's it going to be? Pass? Bid?
And if so, bidding what? Where are
partner's points? You have about 34
combined points. Take a chance and
bid 4NT. I like your odds.
Cuebidding singletons
You are North and hold:
K 5 3 k3 l7 6 4 3 2 'K 6 4 2,
and the bidding proceeds:
West North East
2k Pass
?
Pass
You certainly are carrying on to
4. Will partner, holding:
A Q J 10 6 4 k4 2 lA K Q 'A Q,
South
2'
3k 3
a hand unsuitable for Blackwood, bid
again? Yes, she might bid 5, asking
you to bid a slam with a heart control.
But if you cuebid 4k instead of
a wimpy 4, South now knows she
is not off the kA K and can bid 4NT
herself.
Cuebidding kings
If you are playing key card Blackwood
(more on this later), here's an
interesting problem. You are South
and hold:
3 kK J 8 6 4 2 lK Q J 'K Q 3,
and the auction proceeds:
West North East
1l Pass
South
1k
1 3k 4 ?
Houston, we have a problem. Yes,
you are very interested in a slam and
have a hand that qualifies for Blackwood.
But if partner has two aces and
the kQ, she'll bid 5. Now what? 5k
is the limit of the deal, but you are
already at 5.
Instead, bid 5l. Partner surely has
the lA on this auction and knows 5l
shows the lK and is a slam try. She'll
know what to do with three aces.
January 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
65
January 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2022
