Checking Controls after Jacoby

[barsikb]

2NT(N)-3D(S)-3H(N)

 

I am South with 6 Hearts and slam interest. Should I use 4NT or would it be quantitative raise? Should Gerber be used then?

[manudude03]

Most commonly used method on the forums is that 4N in this sequence is quantitative. If you want to ask for key cards in hearts, you bid 4D (texas transfer) and then 4NT.

[Codo]

I think 4 NT as quantitative is standard.

 

With a slam try, you should bid a control and bid 4 NT after partner answered.

If your second bid does not show a bid but a second suit (which is the better use of the sequence) you need to use Waynes way to use RCKB.

[barsikb]

http://www.larryco.com/BridgeArticles/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleID=66 Very confusing: don't use Texas with slam interest, but at the same time recommending to use 4NT to check keycards after Texas...

[blackshoe]

http://www.larryco.com/BridgeArticles/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleID=66 Very confusing: don't use Texas with slam interest, but at the same time recommending to use 4NT to check keycards after Texas...

I haven't read that article, but it seems to me you use Texas with one of two hand types: 6 card suit interested in game only, or 6 card suit that wants to check for key cards before bidding slam. This means that using Jacoby and then jumping to game is a mild slam try not suitable for RKCB.

[Lord Molyb]

http://www.larryco.com/BridgeArticles/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleID=66 Very confusing: don't use Texas with slam interest, but at the same time recommending to use 4NT to check keycards after Texas...

That's over 1NT, 'slam interest' meaning that slam is possible if opener has a maximum.

[Trinidad]

http://www.larryco.com/BridgeArticles/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleID=66 Very confusing: don't use Texas with slam interest, but at the same time recommending to use 4NT to check keycards after Texas...

You use Texas if you know where you are going. That is not slam interest, that is slam forcing. You are in control and you don't need to know anything from partner anymore, or you only need to know the number of keycards. Then you use a Texas transfer, ask for keycards and bid the final bid depending on the response to keycard.

 

You use a Jacoby transfer when you don't know where you are going yet. You may suggest an alternative suit or NT or you are not sure of the level yet. (Are we strong enough for slam?) That means that after a Jacoby transfer 4NT is quantitative: If you would have been sure about the level and strain, but just needed to know keycards (a requirement for asking for keycards) you would have used a Texas transfer.

 

Rik

[barsikb]

Thank you for your replies. So if need partner to participate in decision-making, use Jacoby and if going to make decisions by yourself, use Texas. Hope, I got it right now.

[mycroft]

At least some of that is "exactly". Having said that, remember that the most common thing one needs partner to participate in is "I only have 5, partner do we have a fit?" - Texas, because it commits to playing in the suit (unless responder chooses to convert to 6 or 7NT, but there's still no way to find out how many hearts partner has) REQUIRES 6.

 

One of the biggest issues in "standard" NT bidding is "how do I show a SI hand with only 5 major?" There are several answers, from "well, we just guess" to huge complicated agreements.

 

Please note that Ace-asking is not the only way, frequently the least useful way, to inquire about slam. Specifically, the object of Ace-asking bids is to *avoid* slams where you have 12 or 13 tricks - after they take their two Aces.

[barsikb]

Thank you, mycroft. More useful are control cue bids?

[Zelandakh]

Bidding a slam is about answering a set of questions. The question that gets the most attantion is whether we are missing 2 aces, or for more advanced players, key cards. But that is pretty much the last question on the list. Before that comes the question of whether you are missing 2 quick losers in a suit - control-showing (Roman) cue bids are excellent at answering this question. But the first and most important question is whether we actually have enough tricks. This is where having alternative ways of showing different grades of strength helps. There are various gadgets to help but most are beyond N/B level. One example that I could give here is having 2 types of one-suited slam try, so:

 

1NT - 2♦; 2♥ - 4♥ = 6+ hearts, mild slam interest

1NT - 3♥ = 6+ hearts, strong slam interest

1NT - 4♦; 4♥ - 4NT = 6+ hearts, slam drive (RKCB)

 

You can further fine-tune the middle sequence by having Opener's rebids differentiate between good and bad hands for slam. This is just one (relatively simple I hope) method for increasing the accuracy of slam bidding before even getting to the question of cue bids or Blackwood.

[barsikb]

Thank you, Zelandakh :) This all makes sence for sure and requires lots of preparation work with a partner. Will try step by step ...