Saturday, September 16, 2006 5:04 AM

Hand Evaluation – 4♠ Exclusion KCB (hearts )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Most expert pairs have adopted the Italian style of Q bidding. Using this philosophy ,  going to the 5 level or forcing the contract to the 5 level by a Q bid is a systemic no-no. Last train slam tries were invented to prevent going to the 5 level with a Q bidding auction. Last train slam tries are especially handy in splinter auctions to the 4 level. Kickback KCB was also invented to keep the auction at the lowest possible level while doing your query.

 

            One aspect of Kickback , I have never liked is having 4 as Ace asking with hearts agreed as the trump suit. 4NT means KCB to me whenever we have a major fit. Since a 4 Q bid forces you beyond the 4 game level , I suggest that such a bid be defined as Exclusion KCB. This treatment is close to being Kickback but a lot more useful as 4NT will still functions quite well as KCB , thank you. With hearts agreed , bidding 4♠ as a Q bid is usually ludicrous.

 

            Here is an auction from a Spingold . Partner opens 1♣ , you have void AKQxxx KxxQJxx . You respond 1 & partner rebids 1NT . Your partnership has a number of forcing bids you can use, but I like the “ recovering the strong jump shift” bid of 3. This brings a 4♣ bid by partner so you bid 4. Partner now bids 4 so in these auctions if you have a spade control & are in slam mode , you would bid 4NT. With your void , you bid exclusion KCB instead. Partner bids 5 showing two Aces outside spades. I like repeating exclusion as specific king asking so you bid 5. Partner bids 6♣ showing the king. Since you have already shown the diamond king as a Q bid , you now bid 6. This can only be interpreted as a suit ask for the queen. Partner bids 7 with Jxx xxx AQxAKxx .

 

            If you do not use 4 as KCB with hearts agreed , use the bid as exclusion. Also with hearts agreed a direct jump to 4♠ is Exclusion KCB. 

 

1-P-1-P

2-P-4♠*             Exclusion KCB

 

            Even with a minor agreed , a leap to 4♠ should be exclusion KCB as long as the jump was two levels. If the jump was one level , a splinter is identified.

 

1-P-1-P

 2-P-4♠              A jump shift reverse by responder is undefined so that should be exclusion in support of diamonds.

 

1♦-P-2♣-P

2-P-4♠                     This auction should not be natural as there was a 2♠ bid available.