[Fluffy]

hrothgar, on Jan 21 2006, 12:42 PM, said:

Don't be so hard on Gerber
Lots of experts also denigrate Blackwood

Blackwood is widely the most missused convention in Spain (nobody plays gerber here, many play 1NT-4NT as blackwood though). So myguess is that blackwood is the second most missused convention over the world

[Gerben42]

Several points here.

1. There is nothing wrong with 1NT 4♣ as ace asking. However, you would normally like to know more before embarking on asking partner for aces directly.
I prefer 4♣ for both majors, 4♦♥ texas and 4♠ for both minors, though.

2. When you play it in other sequences, including 2NT 4♣, the 4♣ is better used as either natural, or ace asking setting ♣ as trumps.

3. If you use it in any other sequences you take a turn into Misunderstanding Alley, but if you know which bid is ace asking and which is not that's okay with me.

[han]

Gerben, what took you so long??!!

[joker_gib]

I've never used Gerber and I've already bid 4♣ a lot of time in my life so I suppose that there are better treatments for this bid ! LOL