echo25

AQxx xxx Qxx KQJ 14 points, 5S-1 after heart lead.

It is often more important to know partner's hand distribution than how many aces he has. Sometimes we want to inform our partner about our values in other suit. Not every slam has to be bid via blackwood or gerber. That's why IMHO you shouldn't agree that 4!c/NT are always aces asking. The most known examples when 4NT is not blackwood: 1NT-4NT (inv to 6NT) After that, the opener can bid his 5 card minor, if he has it, or even nice 4 card suit and you will end with great 6 in minor. 1NT-2!c-2M-4NT (just as above) 1NT-2!d/!h-2!h/!s-4NT (same) To be honest, I've never used gerber and I don't remember having any problem with that. The major problem is that players overuse blackwood and they don't use other methods, for example cue bids. Bid low and you will get much information about partner's hand.

1!c-1!s-2!s-2NT (relay, asking other 4)-3!c (4!c)-3!d (values)-3!s (points in spades)-4!c (cue bi)-4!s-pass... I play Polish Club. In SAYC or other better minor system it may be better to play 2NT as asking singleton relay. Still, further bids are the same.

IMHO double is a joke.

Pass