[Double !]

Forum members may or may not be familiar with the convention named TURBO. It is discussed in about 5 very short paragraphs in the system notes for AMBRA, and is presented as having been substituted for RKC (presumedly Garozzo views the convention as an improvement). However, there is little meat provided to explain the convention further including when and how to use it. I know of at least one BBF poster who is familiar with the convention. I would greatly appreciate any additional information on the convention such as sequences that would preceed use of the convention as well as effectiveness and facility of use.

as always TYIA

DHL

[kenrexford]

Borrowed from a link on Daniel Neill's site:

Cue-bids The key on which all slam bidding in the Italian school hinges is however the cue-bid. While the American school from the post-war period made an initial distinction between cue-bids of first and second round controls, the Italian school Blue Team, which at the beginning was using the Neapolitan Club, already had adopted mixed cue-bidding and 4NT Declarative-Interrogative (DI), and so never Blackwood if not made as a jump.Moreover the American school, at least initially, essentially used the cue-bid for checking for controls in various suits, while the Italian school gave the cue-bid more meanings, like a solid trump suit and, in certain sequences, a better-than-minimum strength for what was previously shown.Mixed cue-bidding has diffused to such a point that there are many variants. The American school tends to reserve 4NT for verification of keycards, nearly always adopting Roman Key Card Blackwood (RKCB), which is Blackwood which considers the K of trump equally with the aces and which allows verification below the 5 level of the presence of the Q of trump. Only a few pairs (Hamman-Wolff, for example) have completely adhered to the Italian approach.The problem on verification of the keycards still exists, and only the great bidding judgement of the members of the Blue Team (and Hamman-Wolff, obviously) has ensured they always stay out of slam, not always to tell the truth , off two aces.Recently, in Italy, among advanced and expert players has spread a convention called “Turbo”, which appears to be a combination of the ideas of the Italian school and an opportunity to check on keycards before bidding slam.Turbo, adopted for example by Bocchi-Duboin and Buratti-Lanzarotti, is very simple and consists of reserving 4NT, in a cue-bidding sequence, to show an even number of key-cards (0-2-4 including the K of trump), whereas a cue-bid over 4NT instead shows strength in the suit bid and an odd number of key-cards (1-3-5 including the K of trump).In its simplicity Turbo is most effective. The cue-bidding sequence should not be broken, so as to show secondary controls like the Q or doubleton, while checking on key-cards can be done only at the cost of a cue-bid in the last-bid suit. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between 1 and 3 key-cards, or 0 and 2, but the technique for handling the later auction allows resolving that problem very simply.After verification of key-cards, the 5NT bid is used to check on the Q of trump. In absence of the Q of trump one bids 5NT, whereas with it one bids the grand or makes a new cue-bid at the six-level.In Blue Club 2000 will be seen adopted Turbo in all sequences where one doesn't know the exact number of controls. This includes all sequences starting with a non-1§ opening or those beginning with 1§ where, whether because of responses of 1¨,1©, 2¨, 2© or 2ª, or because enemy interference has removed the precision of the responses, one hasn't knowledge of the exact number of controls. But the times where responder has given a response from 1ª to 2§, without enemy interference, Turbo is not in effect and cue-bidding is handled in the classic way, with the bid of 4NT dedicated to the counter-cue-bid or quantitative meanings.


Slam-bidding Tools in Blue Club 2000
Blue Club 2000, obviously, remains faithful to the basic principles of classic Blue Team, but introduces some new ideas, which are discussed below.
The cue-bid and Turbo
General scheme for handling the cue-bid The cue-bidding method applied to Blue Club 2000 follows that of the traditional Italian school. Consequently cue-bids are mixed, indifferent between A, K, singleton, void or Q in the long suit of partner, and are bid cheaply, without bidding first round controls before second round controls.A cue-bid can be voluntary or "provoked". If one of the two players has a hand of unlimited strength and begins cue-bidding the partner should continue the cue-bidding sequence at least until game. Going past game is always a willful act, which implies strength, whereas bidding game shows that one's ability to hold open the auction has been exhausted.Therefore, when one of the two players has limited her strength (bidding NT or making an immediate splinter, e.g.), this does not require the partner to keep a cue-bidding sequence alive, not even below the game level. In that case a cue-bid by partner, even below the game level, shows at least some interest in slam.
Turbo as a tool for verifying the number of key-cards Though generally respecting the classic style of Blue Team, Blue Club 2000 adopts an important exception. The bid of 4NT, in sequences where there is uncertainty about the total number of controls held, shows an even number of key-cards. A cue-bid past 4NT, therefore, shows an odd number of key-cards.Later, 5NT allows one to check on the queen of trump. Bidding 5NT denies holding the Q (no Queen, or the even number of key-cards was zero di Q di trump), whereas a successive cue-bid, or immediately bidding a grand slam, implies the Q of trump.This convention, called “Turbo” in this way allows very early identification of key-cards, but is never used over the opening of 1§ when responder has been able to show exactly the number of her controls. In that case, really, it is convenient for 4NT to revert to a responsive cue-bid.
When a cue-bid is doubled Another important difference between the classical school and Blue Club 2000 relates to treatment of a doubled cue-bid. When the future declarer is the one who made the double cue-bid, partner redoubles with first-round control, passes with 2nd round control and continues cue-bidding without any control (or returns to the trump suit).In Blue Club 2000, instead, when the cue-bidder is slated to be dummy and the control comes under immediate attack, a Polish suggestion is adopted, which says that:a) The redoubled shows first-round control (A or void). The pass shows worry that the enemy has doomed the potential K of partner on the lead, with the ace behind it. This implies 2 or more cards in the suit. The one who made the doubled cue-bid returns to the trump suit with the feared “positional” cue (Kx), continues cue-bidding with a secure second-round control (KQx or x) and redoubles with first-round control (A or void).c) Continuing the cue-bidding shows help in the doubled suit (at least Qx) which could protect a control such as Kx.

Showing a singleton or void in the sequences where there was never a chance to splinter A further difference between the classic school and the method adopted by Blue Club 2000 lies in the possibility, in some cases, of distinguishing between a singleton/void and the cue-bid of an honor. When a player bypasses a cue-bid, but reopens with 4NT (key-card even), cue-bidding the bypassed suit (key-card odd) or repeating a cue-bid already made (void in the suit and odd number of key-cards) this shows controls in all the side suits and a singleton/void in the suit of the first cue-bid. Naturally this situation is rare, since it must be when the singleton is the higher available suit and all the other suits are adequately controlled. When it occurs, however, one finds it a great way to quickly and very descriptively show one's controls.
Cue-bidding partner's long suit Finally, different from that seen in the Blue Team of Arturo Franco, in Blue Club 2000 one avoids cue-bidding at the first opportunity a singleton/void in the suit of partner, unless of course there is large source of tricks (ruffs or a long side suit). Partner, in fact, will tend to consider this cue-bid an honor card and will consider his long suit a side source of tricks.On the second opportunity, obviously, the cue-bid of shortness is shown without a problem, and at that point is easily identifiable as such. Often, instead, one shows a Q in partner's long suit, especially when one has shown few controls and despite this, partner shows interest in slam.
Summary To recap:1. the cue-bids are bid cheaply, following the rule “cue-bid bypassed = cue-bid denied”, not distinguishing between A, K, singleton or void;2. at the first opportunity one does not, normally, make a cue-bid of a singleton/void in the long suit of partner, while one can always show a Q in that suit, above all if afraid of not being able to show it later;3. if a player denies a cue-bid in suit X, making a cue-bid in suit Y, and in order to reopen the auction shows explicitly or implicitly control of suit X, this is showing a strong hand, with a singleton/void in suit Y and control of all the suits;4. the bid of 4NT, made in a cue-bidding sequence, shows an even number of key-cards;5. if a player can bid 4NT and doesn't do so, making a higher cue-bid or returning to the trump suit, this shows an odd number of key-cards;6. if the trump suit is clubs or diamonds and the first bid above the 4-level is 4NT, without any cue-bids having been made, that 4NT is “to play” and not Turbo;7. in the case of a double of a cue-bid, partner redoubles with an Ace or void, continues cue-bidding with protection of the doubled cue-bid (second-round control or Q) and passes to let partner show the type of cue-bid she made. In this final case the cue-bidder continues cue-bidding with a protected second-round control (KQ or x), redoubles with first-round controls and returns to the trump suit with an unprotected cue-bid.

Turbo and the subsequent auction
Continuations after Turbo Once the number of key-cards is known there are various situations:1. sometimes one can figure out with certainty the number of key-cards is insufficient. In that case it is necessary to sign off immediately at the 5 level in the trump suit, and make no further invitations. Parter could reopen, but only with a useful void, which makes up for lack of one ace.2. other times one knows there is exactly one key-card missing, and consequently it is possible to bid a small slam but not a grand; in that case, if one has enough general playing strength, one should immediately bid the small slam.3. other times one has the strength and sufficient key-cards to bid a grand slam, but doesn't know for sure about the Q of trump; in that case one should immediately bid 5NT, showing the lack of the Q of trump and willingness to play grand slam.4. in many cases, instead, the key-cards are sufficient, but there is still something lacking to bid slam, be it a little or a lot; in that case in that case the bidding is continued at the 5-level, indicating uncertaintly as to the level of the contract. Partner, with a minimum, does not go above the 5-level, whereas with a maximum goes beyond the 5-level, eventually showing or denying the Q of trump. In case of a minimum, further bidding shows that the uncertainty was whether the level should be 6 or 7.
Handling uncertaintly after Turbo There may be many reasons for uncertaintly: weakness in trumps, lack of a specific control, needing third-round controls, needing intermediates, etc. For sure the problem cannot be just number of key-cards, otherwise one would just sign off at the 5 or 6 level in trump. But sometimes one wants to distinguish between 0 and 2 key-cards, or 1 and 3 key-cards, when both cases make sense from the previous bidding.So the partner of the one who expressed uncertatiny should make the decision, or should indicate previously undisclosed strength that cold help partner make a final decision. For example, one should always sign off at the 5-level in trumps if possessing the minimum number of key-cards, and with a hand with many honors, bid in in such a way to indicate the greater number of key-cards.
Turbo and cue-bids As one can figure out, therefore, Turbo does not replace cue-bidding, but completely follows the philosophy, letting continue the dialogue which is fundamental to that style even after knowing the number of key-cards and even when the objective is just the small slam. Not uncommon is a sequence that, having identified sufficient key-cards, one stops at the 5-level for lack of playing strength or fits in the suits shown.
Turbo 5NT
Checking on the Q of trump When the bid 5NT has been bid cheaply, following a sequence of cue-bids, this shows a lack of the Q of trump, considered necessary (In serious bridge -DJN) for playing at the 7 level. Partner possessing the Q of trump nevertheless does not oblige her to bid 7. Parter can in fact continue with the cue-bidding, until maybe selecting 7NT or figuring out a weakness in a suit which should be solid for grand slam.Bypassing 5NT without signing off in slam shows the Q of trump but uncertainty about the grand. Being certain of all the key-cards and three major honors in trump, partner is nearly always is a position to know if her cards are good for grand slam.
Josephine
The asking bid for number of top honors in trump Sometimes one jumps to 5NT, or is the final bid of a sequence started with a strong club in which one knows exactly the number of controls present.In that case 5NT is used to ask the number of top honors (TH's) in trump.
Josephine for the majors Responses:1) spades trump· 6§ = no TH· 6¨ = one TH· 6© = two TH's· 6ª = one TH + one card more than previously shown· 7ª = three TH's2) hearts trump· 6§ = no TH· 6¨ = one TH· 6© = one TH + one card more than previously shown· 7© = two honors major
Josephine for the minors When clubs or diamonds is trump, it is better to use 5ª as Josephine, to leave at least two responses for clubs3) diamonds trump· 5NT = no TH· 6§ = 1 TH· 6¨ = one TH + 1 card more than previously shown· 7¨ = two TH's4) clubs trump· 5NT = 0/1 TH· 6§ = 1 TH + 1 card more than previously shown· 7§ = 2 TH's
Voidwood
Using Voidwood A rare bid, but very efficient. One uses it only with interest in number of key-cards, but, with a void, so that the ace in that suit is useless and should not be shown. In that case jumps in the void suit to the 5-level, over which partner bids key-cards according to the scale 0/3-1/4-2 without the Q of trump, 2 with the Q of trump.
Kickback Roman Key Card
Using Kickback Since the system relies on cue-bids, it is rare that one should immediately ask for key-cards like using Kickback. Sometimes, however, once the fit is found, the only thing one needs to know are the key-cards and the Q of trump. In these cases it is inefficient to launch into a long series of cue-bids. It is better to jump immediately to the suit just above the trump suit (4NT = spades, 4ª=hearts, 4©=diamonds, 4¨=clubs) and in this way to find out the key-cards and whether the Q of trump is held. After this, one can hold open the auction, showing side kings, or bidding 4/5NT which deny a side K.The idea of using the suit directly above the trump suit was popularized by Bergen, and is one of the little things from that author that has found its way into Blue Club 2000.The reason it is such a good idea is that once key-cards are shown, there is always room to ask for the Q of trumps.Still remains the problem of when the fit is explicitly agreed. For simplicity let us say that a fit is agreed when a suit has been raised, or when only one of the two players has shown a suit while the other has shown a balanced hand or has made a cue-bid. In that case the partner who has shown the suit can fix trump by jumping immediately to the 4-level in the suit above the one shown by partner.The more important cases are in the sequence 2§-2¨; 2NT/3§ with Kickback as 4¨, in the sequence 2¨-2©;2x with Kickback as 4© and over 1NT-2§; 2© with Kickback as 4ª.

[skjaeran]

Ken, it would be nice if you edited your post and put in suit symbols..... As it is it's hard to read.

[keylime]

Don,

Larry and I play Turbo, but with denial cues instead of regular ones.

One of the important rules is, since in our method we have all sorts of asking bids, is determining the order of precedence. In a forcing club auction, it goes xfer positive, beta, cab/tab, turbo, in that order. In a limited bid auction, it's g/f set, set trumps, turbo. 3NT in a major suit fit, and 4m in a minor suit fit, is the start of Turbo with us.

The plus of this I feel is the fact that you avoid 6 of a minor slams off an Ace and outside king. It also resolved effectively any 4NT hangups. For me, it's a logical, articulate conclusion to a slam auction.

The minuses tho can sway some away from it: the inability to have one bid prompt a start of a keycard auction, and the concept of cuebidding is frightening to some.

I personally think that it is a better way to make slam decisions, but it requires both an open mind, and the willingness to depart from the norm.

[Double !]

keylime, on Apr 7 2007, 08:44 PM, said:

Don,

Larry and I play Turbo, but with denial cues instead of regular ones.

One of the important rules is, since in our method we have all sorts of asking bids, is determining the order of precedence. In a forcing club auction, it goes xfer positive, beta, cab/tab, turbo, in that order. In a limited bid auction, it's g/f set, set trumps, turbo. 3NT in a major suit fit, and 4m in a minor suit fit, is the start of Turbo with us.

The plus of this I feel is the fact that you avoid 6 of a minor slams off an Ace and outside king. It also resolved effectively any 4NT hangups. For me, it's a logical, articulate conclusion to a slam auction.

The minuses tho can sway some away from it: the inability to have one bid prompt a start of a keycard auction, and the concept of cuebidding is frightening to some.

I personally think that it is a better way to make slam decisions, but it requires both an open mind, and the willingness to depart from the norm.

I know you and Larry play Turbo. That's what got me interested in checking it out. Actually, I had been copying some pages from Ambra r.e. Gazzilli and decided to check out Turbo. Thanks for responding, Dwayne.

Thanks, Ken, for all that information.....I appreciate it.

DHL