kenrexford Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 In the December 2012 Bridge Bulletin, August Boehm noted that literature has a lot of irony but that irony in bridge is rare. He then provided two ironic bridge situations. In the second situation, he noted how with AQ-AQJx-KQ109xx-x, after RHO opens 1♠, you double, passed to partner who leaps to 4♥, irony strikes. Those who play RKCB will find out about two key cards. If the key cards are Ace-Ace, the heart hook is about 100% and thus the grand biddable. If the key cards are a minor Ace and the trump King, then only a small slam is bid, as we might be off a cashing Ace. He notes a comment by Edgar Kaplan that the trump King is not as useful as an Ace and observes the "irony" that regular Blackwood players reach the right contract. The irony is that this very same month I have released a new book called "Variable Key Card Blackwood" where this problem is solved. [Through Master Point Press (see http://ebooksbridge.com/www/ebb/index.php?main_page=ebb_product_book_info&cPath=133&products_id=521 for the ebook; paperback will available very soon also).] With VKCB (actually MKCB or "Middle" Key Card Blackwood), the auction would be: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♣(clarification ask)-(P)-5♦(no trump Queen, no trump King, hence two Aces)(P)-7♥ Had Advancer held the trump King and thus only one Ace: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♣(clarification ask)-(P)-5♥(no trump Queen, trump King, hence one Ace)(P)-6♥ What if Doubler did not have the trump Queen (E.g., ♠AQ ♥AJ10x ♦KQ109xx ♣x)? Opposite one Ace and the trump King, the small slam makes if Opener has the trump Queen, a fair bet, and makes easily if partner has it. If partner has two Aces, the trump suit probably comes in on a double hook. Thus, you expect to bid the small slam any time partner has two key cards. To make a grand, however, you want partner to have specifically two Aces and the trump Queen. That grand can also be found with VKCB: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♦(asks if partner has specifically two Aces and the trump Queen)... Rather ironic that Auguest Boehm would note this issue in December of 2012. B-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurpoa Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 In the December 2012 Bridge Bulletin, August Boehm noted that literature has a lot of irony but that irony in bridge is rare. He then provided two ironic bridge situations. In the second situation, he noted how with AQ-AQJx-KQ109xx-x, after RHO opens 1♠, you double, passed to partner who leaps to 4♥, irony strikes. Those who play RKCB will find out about two key cards. If the key cards are Ace-Ace, the heart hook is about 100% and thus the grand biddable. If the key cards are a minor Ace and the trump King, then only a small slam is bid, as we might be off a cashing Ace. He notes a comment by Edgar Kaplan that the trump King is not as useful as an Ace and observes the "irony" that regular Blackwood players reach the right contract. The irony is that this very same month I have released a new book called "Variable Key Card Blackwood" where this problem is solved. [Through Master Point Press (see http://ebooksbridge....products_id=521 for the ebook; paperback will available very soon also).] With VKCB (actually MKCB or "Middle" Key Card Blackwood), the auction would be: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♣(clarification ask)-(P)-5♦(no trump Queen, no trump King, hence two Aces)(P)-7♥ Had Advancer held the trump King and thus only one Ace: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♣(clarification ask)-(P)-5♥(no trump Queen, trump King, hence one Ace)(P)-6♥ What if Doubler did not have the trump Queen (E.g., ♠AQ ♥AJ10x ♦KQ109xx ♣x)? Opposite one Ace and the trump King, the small slam makes if Opener has the trump Queen, a fair bet, and makes easily if partner has it. If partner has two Aces, the trump suit probably comes in on a double hook. Thus, you expect to bid the small slam any time partner has two key cards. To make a grand, however, you want partner to have specifically two Aces and the trump Queen. That grand can also be found with VKCB: (1♠)-X-(P)-4♥(P)-4♠(kickback MKCB)-(P)-4NT(2 key cards)-P-(P)-5♦(asks if partner has specifically two Aces and the trump Queen)... Rather ironic that Auguest Boehm would note this issue in December of 2012. B-) ♥ +1sorry, I am not allowed to up-vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas c Posted December 5, 2012 Report Share Posted December 5, 2012 i read augies article. u should email this to him kengood post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted December 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2012 i read augies article. u should email this to him kengood post Good idea, but I cannot find his email address. Does anyone know it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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