[DavidKok]

mike777, on 2026-September-22, 05:33, said:

For starters I would take the 4H jump as exclusion for clubs hence I don't like it.

mike777, on 2026-September-22, 09:19, said:

Playing kickback allows opener to RKC over 4C. Responder shows the heart void and AK of clubs with 5NT

I am so so happy to not pay this nonsense.

[mike777]

DavidKok, on 2026-September-22, 09:20, said:

Unbalanced hands try to show. Balanced hands or those that are done describing shape try to ask.
If you have two suits, tell partner. That way they can evaluate their hand.

Unfortunately, you would think and assume that the partner with the void would not initiate RKC, especially if the opponents
Had remained silent, however...

[DavidKok]

I really don't get your obsession with key cards.

[P_Marlowe]

At the table partner used RKC, now he has a void, but in doubt he could assume,
that the KCs I have shown (0 or 3) did not have the Ace of hearts among them.
Among other things, I denied a heart stopper, and have shown 9 cards in the minor.

But he needs the king of diamonds, and / or the Queen of clubs (he has 9 card fit,
but you dont want to bid the grand on clubs 2-2 alone), KCs does not tell everything.

Incidentally, we bid another slam, without using KC ask, it was not needed (missed at the
other table (*)),
so we missed a (grand) slam with an auction that used KC, but reached a (small) slam
without KC ask.

(*) we had an easier start in the first round of bidding, the intervention was to late,
it was systemic, do you have a 2 - suited weak opening or not, opponents being red. vs.
green.

[mike777]

DavidKok, on 2026-September-22, 09:28, said:

I really don't get your obsession with key cards.

In real life I have found control showing above the keycard ask leads to confusion with the people I play with.

Of course this weekend I found control showing at all led to confusion, especially when I tried it in partners opening suit, after we agreed a second suit was trump...they passed. Fortunately I had
KQx.
---

Unfortunately there were two other boards this weekend where control showing led partner to take control, prematurely in my opinion, and we got to two poorish slams..

[P_Marlowe]

mike777, on 2026-September-22, 09:34, said:

In real life I have found control showing above the keycard ask leads to confusion with the people I play with.

Of course this weekend I found control showing at all to be confusing especially when I tried it in partners opening suit,after we agreed a second suit was trump...they passed. Fortunately I had
KQx.

If it comforts you, you are not alone, I overheard a talk between 2-very strong players, regular in the first German team league
(whatever this may mean for you), that went like this
"... after we dropped serious 3NT / control bidding, our slam bidding improved".

We rely heavily on control bidding.

In the original auction, I have everything, but I cannot 100% sure our trump fit is rock solid, ..., I have AK in his
suit, but are we talking about a 5-2, 6-2 fit, ...
If I had known about the club fit, it would have helped me, but the responses in the thread have shown also, that
I should have got it right anyway.

[mike777]

P_Marlowe, on 2026-September-22, 09:47, said:

If it comforts you, you are not alone, I overheard a talk between 2-very strong players, regular in the first German team league
(whatever this may mean for you), that went like this
"... after we dropped serious 3NT / control bidding, our slam bidding improved".

We rely heavily on control bidding.

Funny enough on the hand partner passed my control bid he had previously bid 3NT.

Now this partner loves conventions, he loves this non serious 3NT bid stuff.
I told him I don't get this convention, I don't understand why people love it but they do. However I am not playing it.
You can try and convince me later, but so far you have not.

So of course he uses it..smile.

[P_Marlowe]

mike777, on 2026-September-22, 09:58, said:

Funny enough on the hand partner passed my control bid he had previously bid 3NT.

Now this partner loves conventions, he loves this non serious 3NT bid stuff.
I told him I don't get this convention, I don't understand why people love it but they do. However I am not playing it.
You can try and convince me later, but so far you have not.

So of course he uses it..smile.

Whatever works for you is fine, as long as your partner can (somehow) tolerate it.

[WasWinM]

pescetom, on 2026-September-20, 15:57, said:

IMP

---

If I understood correctly.

I had agreed earlier in this thread with akwoo about bidding 5D. IMO, the continuation should then go:
5D-5H* (*confirming the void and looking for more info)
5N**- 6C*** (**showing extra values, obviously outside of hearts or no 5N bid) (***showing the reason for further exploration)
7C****- (**** must hold AK of spades, you're move, partner)