Roman KeyCard Blackwood

Part II (the queen ask after

major suit agreement )
Reviewed and updated : 4/8/04

After major suit agreement 4NT is the keycard ask. Some play
"Kickback". In this version of RKB, 4S is RKB when hearts is the agreed
suit. Is this better?

Most players who use kickback also play (3014) responses. They argue
that when using 4NT to ask for keycards a 5D "1" response takes away
the space for a queen-ask when hearts is the agreed suit. A 4S ask
leaves room for the queen-ask because the "1" response is 5C so 5D
can be used as the queen-ask.

Sounds good, but if you play two asks as suggested, it is not necessary.
If the ask is 1430 (the stronger hand asking "1" response to 4NT is 5C
and 5D is the queen-ask, so no problem there.

A 5D response shows "0" or "3", usually "0". After a 5D response,

hearts agreed, a rebid of 5H is to play facing "0" and the queen-ask
facing "3". To ask for the queen after a "0" response, 5S is the queen-
ask. So no problem there.

If the ask is a 3014 ask (weak asking strong), the most likely response
is 5C ("3") once again allowing for a 5D queen ask. If the response is 5D
showing "1" or "4", , assume "4" when the strong hand is being asked,
5H is the queen-ask facing "4" and to play facing "1". Who signs off
after "4" response? Please.

The bottom line is that if you play both 1430 and 3014 asks, you lose
little by using 4NT as RKB in all major suit agreement auctions.

If you play "Kickback" you have to have solidify your agreements on

when 4S is RKB for hearts if spades is a previously bid suit.

Another problem is a sequence like this:

Opener Responder
1H 2D
3H 4S

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Playing "Kickback" this is clearly RKB for hearts. Fine. But what if
responder wants to splinter in spades? If really wanted to splinter in
spades, he is supposed to rebid 4NT (what 4S would normally have
meant). O.K say he rebids 4NT. Now what if opener wants to ask
responder for keycards?

I'm sure "kickback" players have this all worked out. Many years ago I
asked Paul Soloway about this as he and the late Bobby Goldman were
playing Kickback at the time. He told me and Bobby had copious notes
dealing with this problem. That was good enough for me.

From here on in 4NT is RKB after major suit agreement with two sets of
asks.

THE QUEEN-ASK FOLLOWING A 5C RESPONSE TO 4NT (1430

OR 3014 ask)

After a 5C response to RKB, 5D is the queen-ask. The denial response

is a return to the five level of the agreed major. (The denial response to
ALL asks is a minimum return to the agreed suit- with the two
exceptions mentioned above to the queen-ask).

COMING UP SHORT
Opener Responder
S. Axxx S. Kxxxx
H. Ax H. KQx
D. xx D. KQJx
C. AKQxx C. x

1C 1S
4S 4NT (1)
5C (2) 5D (3)
5S (4) Pass

(1) RKB (3014) weak asking strong-opener has jumped

(2) "3"
(3) queen-ask
(4) negative

Once responder discovers the hand is off the SQ and an ace, he opts
out.

Note: If the responder to a queen-ask KNOWS of at least 10 trump

between the two hands (equivalent of the queen) he answers as if he
has the queen. These are the good news queen-showing responses:

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1. A jump to the six level of the agreed suit. This jump denies a side suit
king or a side suit "extra" (coming up).

TEN IS WHEN

Opener Responder
S. AKx S. Qx
H. AKxxx H. Jxxxx
D. x D. AJxx
C. KQJx C. xx

1H 3H (1)
4NT (2) 5C (3)
5D (4) 6H (5)
Pass

(1) Limit raise

(2) RKB (1430) opener asking
(3) "1"
(4) queen-ask
(5) Yes, knowing of a 10 card heart fit. The jump also denies a side suit
king or a side suit "extra".

When responding to the queen ask holding the queen of the agreed suit
plus a side suit king, bid the king suit. With two kings, bid the king suit
that can be shown at the lower level. If both kings can be shown at the
same level, show the lower ranking king first.

RIGHT IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

Opener Responder
S. AQxx S. KJxxx
H. Ax H. Kxx
D. Axxxx D. x
C. Kx C. AQxx

Opener Responder
1D 1S
4S 4NT (1)
5C (2) 5D (3)
6C (4) 7S (5)

(1) (3014) Once opener jumps and responder asks for keycards it is a
3014 ask.
(2) "3" The most common response to a 3014 ask
(3) Queen-ask
(4) Yes, with the CK, but no HK (would have bid 5H, the king that could
have been shown at a lower level).
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(5) Just what the Dr. ordered

The 5NT response to the queen-ask

If you have the queen without side suit king, but do have an "extra"
respond 5NT. In order of importance these are considered "extras"

1. The queen of partner's first bid side suit.

2. 3rd round control in partner's 2nd bid side suit (the queen or a
doubleton). This is done when partner's first bid suit is the trump suit.
3. Extra trump length if you are the long trump hand
4. If no side suits have been bid, third round control in any unbid suit.

I JUST MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU

Opener Responder
S. Kxxx S. AQJxx
H. x H. xxx
D. AKJxx D. Qx
C. Axx C. xxx

1D 1S
3H (1) 4S (2)
4NT (3) 5C (4)
5D (5) 5NT (6)
6S (7)

(1) Splinter for spades

(2) Strong spades, little else
(3) RKB (1430) opener asking
(4) "1"
(5) Queen-ask
(6) Yes, with a non-king extra. In this sequence the DQ, the queen of the
asker's first bid suit. Responder has shown strong spades so the 5th
spade is not really an extra.
(7) Glad you remembered the system, but we're off an ace!

10 AGAIN, THE MAGIC NUMBER

Opener Responder
S. AKxxx S. xxxxx
H. AKQxx H. x
D. KQ D. xxx
C. x C. AJxx

2C (1) 2D (2)
2S 4H (3)
4NT (4) 5C (5)
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5D (6) 6S (7)
Pass

(1) Strong and artificial

(2) Waiting
(3) Splinter agreeing spades
(4) RKB (1430) opener asking
(5) "1"
(6) Queen-ask
(7) Yes, knows of a 10 card spade fit. Additionally, the leap to six of the
greed suit denies a side suit king or a significant extra.

Give responder FOUR small spades and responder denies the queen by
retreating to 5S. Opener passes fearing a spade loser as well as a minor
suit ace.

Basically the idea is to stay out of a small slam missing an ace and the
queen of the agreed suit if you have an eight card fit.

If you have a 9 card trump fit missing the queen and are looking at the
jack, you are a slight favorite not to lose a trump trick. If you have both
the jack and the ten, you become more of a favorite not to lose a trick.
These are the numbers:

AKxxx facing xxxx 40% (No queen, no jack)

AKxxx facing Jxxx 53% (No queen, but jack)
AKJxx facing xxxx 53% (No queen, but jack)
AKJ10x facing xxxx 58% (AKJ10 bunched)

However, if you are off an ace plus the queen of trump and you know
you have an eight card trump fit, your percentage move is to give up on
slam unless you are looking at the J10 of trump.

THE 5H QUEEN-ASK FOLLOWING A 5D RESPONSE TO RKB (1430),

HEARTS AGREED

Playing 1430 (strong asking weak), a 5D response shows 3 or 0. Every

so often it will be "3" (when opener or a two level responder is
responding); more often than not it is "0". In any case, you will know
which it is from the bidding and from the number of keycards you have.
YOU WILL KNOW.

WHEN 5D SHOWS "3" OR "0" TO A 1430 ASK

After a 5D response, hearts agreed, showing "3" or "0", a return to 5H is

to play facing "0", but the queen-ask facing "3".

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To ask for the queen facing "0" (far out to say the least) bid 5S, a grand
slam try. Why a grand slam try? Because if responder doesn't have the
queen, the hand is committed to the six level. Therefore, If responder
has the queen, he is supposed to jump to seven!

THE 5H QUEEN-ASK FOLLOWING A 5D RESPONSE TO RKB (1430),

SPADES AGREED.

Opener Responder
S. Axxx S. Kxxx
H. x H. AJxxx
D. AKQJxx D. x
C. Kx C. Axx

1D 1H
1S 4S
4NT (1) 5D (2)
5H (3) 5S (4)
6D (5) Pass (6)

(1) RKB (1430) opener asking.

(2) "3" or "0", must be "3" given the leap 4S
(3) Queen-ask facing "3"
(4) Sorry, don't have it
(5) To play (let's hope you've read this book!)
(6) I don't need the book after that look.

When the RKB bidder returns to his first suit at the SIX level, it is to
play- even if there has been jump agreement in a secondary suit- all
coming up in the chapter entitled "Second Suit Options". I know, I
know, you can hardly wait.

THE QUEEN ASK FOLLOWING A 5D RESPONSE TO RKB (3014),

HEARTS AGREED

After a 5D response to a 3014 ask showing "1" or "4", 5H is the queen-

ask facing "4", but to play facing "1". I'll let you in on a little secret:
when the "strong" hand responds 5D to a 3014 ask, the strong hand has
"1" once or twice a year-max.

The queen-ask facing "4" is 5H to save room. There is no such animal

as a signoff after a "4" response.

The negative response to a 5H queen ask is 6H! What can the poor devil
do? The queen-ask is a grand slam try and the asker is willing to play a
small slam even if the responder doesn't have the queen.

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Positive responses to a 5H queen-ask, a grand slam try, are king
showing responses or 5NT to show a non-king extra or to leap to 7H
with the queen and no extra. 5NT and king showing responses allow the
asker to possibly play 7NT.

A 5H (1430) QUEEN-ASK IN ACTION

Opener Responder
S. xxx S AK
H. AKQ H. Jxxxxx
D. xx D AKx
C. Axxxx C. Kx

Opener Responder
1C 1H
2H 4NT (1)
5D (2) 5H (3)
7H (4) Pass (5)

(1) RKB (1430) As long as opener hasn't jumped or reversed, when

responder asks it is a 1430 ask.
(2) 3 or 0 (guess which)
(3) Queen-ask facing "3", to play facing "0".
(4) Shows the HQ, denies a side suit king or a side suit extra.

When spades is the agreed suit a 5H queen-ask is not necessarily a

grand slam try because the ask is beneath the five level of the agreed
suit. However, to repeat: a queen ask at or above the five level of the
agreed suit is a grand slam try. The asker must be willing to play a
grand if the queen is in the facing hand.

WHEN WEAK ASKS STRONG (3014) AND GETS A 5D "4" RESPONSE

Opener (a) Opener (b) Responder

S. AKxx AKQx S. 10xxxx
H. xx xx H. KQJx
D. Ax Ax D. KQ
C. AQJxx AJxxx C. Kx

Opener (a) Opener (b) Responder

1C 1C 1S
4S 4S 4NT (1)
5D (2) 5D (2) 5H (3)
5S (4) 6S (5) Pass (6)

(1) RKB (3014). One of the odd times that the asker actually has "0"
keycards! If he does, he should have the missing kings from here to
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eternity and be facing a partner who has made some truly deafening
aggressive sounds.
(2) "4"
(3) Queen-ask
(4) Negative (responder passes)
(5) I've got it, but, sorry, no king (responder passes)
(6) I know you don't have a king, I've got em' all

When the weaker hand uses RKB he figures to have one or two
keycards. To ask without a keycard is not only rare, but very brave. If
you are thinking of doing this, check to see if you can handle all the
responses.

AN INFERENCE

Opener Responder
S. xx S. AQxx
H. Q10xx H. AKJxx
D. AKxx D. x
C. Kxx C. AQx

1D 1H
2H 4NT (1)
5C (2) 5D (3)
6C (4) 6H (5)
Pass

(1) RKB (1430) - opener minimum

(2) "1"
(3) Queen-ask
(4) Yes, plus the CK. Note: The 6C response denies the SK. With both
black kings, opener bids 5S first, the king that can be shown at the
lower level. However the 6C response does not deny the DK. Keep the
faith.
(5) Missing the SK, responder settles for a small slam.

THE 5NT RESPONSE TO THE QUEEN-ASK

The reasons for showing an extra have already been listed. What wasn't
listed was how the asker finds out what that extra is. Keep in mind, if a
keycard is missing, the asker doesn't ask for the extra because there is
no chance for a grand. Asking for the extra is a mega-grand slam try.

Assuming the asker is interested in a grand slam, he bids the suit where
he needs the extra.

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When responding to an "extra" ask, responder bids the grand holding
the desired third round control in the ask suit (the queen in partner's
first bid suit, the queen or a doubleton in partner's second bid suit). But
if responder's extra was trump length, the other possibility, he returns
to the trump suit at a minimum level.

A "WHO CARES" EXTRA

Opener Responder
S. Axx S. x
H. AQJ10xxx H. Kx
D. x D. AKxxxxx
C. Ax C. Kxx

1H 2D
3H 4NT (1)
5C (2) 5D (3)
5NT (4) 7H (5)
Pass

(1) RKB hearts- (3014) Opener has jumped

(2) "3"
(3) Queen-ask
(4) Shows the queen, denies a side suit king, but shows an extra- either
the DQ or an extra heart.
(5) Doesn't care where it is, wants to play a grand.

If responder wants to know whether the extra is the DQ or a 7th heart,

he bids 6D. If the extra is the DQ, responder bids 7H. If the extra is a 7th
heart, responder signs off in 6H.

2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HAND

Opener Responder
S. Axx S. K
H. AKQ10 H. xxxxx
D. QJxx D. AKxxx
C. A10 C. Qx

2NT 3D (1)
4H (2) 4NT (3)
5D (4) 5H (5)
5NT (6) 6D (7)
7D (8) 7NT (9)

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(1) Transfer
(2) Good hand for hearts with 4 trump
(3) RKB- 3014 -weak asking strong
(4) "4"
(5) Queen-ask
(6) Yes, no side suit king but maybe a valuable 3rd rd. control.
(7) Is that 3rd round extra in diamonds?
(8) Yes. The raise of the ask suit shows QJ(x)
(9) Well, la di da; another commercial and this is only chapter II.

When the only "real" suit that has been bid is the trump suit, any side
suit third round control is considered an extra.

The previous hand was played in the 2001 World Championships USA I
vs. USA II. Neither table arrived at the cold grand.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

After a 5C response to RKB hearts or spade agreed, 5D is the queen-
ask, and a return to the agreed suit is to play.

After a 5D (1430) response, hearts agreed, 5H is the queen-ask facing

"3", to play facing "0". 5S is the queen-ask facing "0". (Not going to
happen).

After a 5D response (1430) spades agreed, 5H is the queen-ask and 5S

is to play.

After a 5D response to a 3014 ask, showing "4", 5H is the queen-ask

regardless of the agreed suit. The hand must reach slam when the
strong hand has "4". It's a major upset for the "strong" hand" to have
only "1".

The denial response to the queen-ask is a return to the trump suit at the
cheapest possible level. Thus if the queen-ask is 5H, hearts agreed, the
denial response is 6H! A five level queen-ask in the agreed suit is a
grand slam try. Responder cannot pass a queen-ask with "4" keycards.
Give me a break.

When holding the queen, or knowing that there are at least 10 trump
between the two hands, make a positive response to the queen-ask.
There are three responses to a queen ask that show the queen:

1. A jump to the 6 level of the agreed suit which denies a side suit king
or a side suit extra, the weakest acceptance.

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2. Bidding a side suit king. With two kings bid the cheaper king suit
first.

3. Bidding 5NT to deny a side suit king, but showing an extra, typically
the queen of partner's first bid side suit.

It's over!

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