[ArcLight]

Lets say your method of cue bidding is to show aces (I'll call this "traditional"), rather than aces or kings (I'll call this "Mixed").

When would you cue bid a king before an ace in another suit?
What are the exceptions to cue bidding aces first?

I read a post by a world champion (fantastic card player, uses aces first cue bidding) and he said holding
S: A J x
H: K T 9 x
D: K T x x
C: T x

1♥ - 3♥
4♣ - ?        (4♣ is a slam try - may be asking for help in that suit)

He would bid 4♦, and then 4♠ over pards sign off of 4♥.

Are there any general rules as to when to cue bid kings before aces?

[skjaeran]

I really can't add much to aces first cuebidding, having grown up with Italian style (or Mixed) cuebidding.

But I'm pretty sure aces first cuebidding is much more difficult.

As to the actual hand and sequence, 4♣ for me absolutely denies a spade control and shows a first or second round club control. 4♦ guarantees a spade control, but says nothing about diamonds (last train) - that's how I've been cuebidding for the last 5-6+ years, before that 4♦ showed both a spade and a diamond control.

Over 4♥ I'd have passed.