Replies to RKC with voids

[TheoKole]

Hello, my partner and I are discussing different ways to bid slams with voids. I would appreciate to know your favorite bidding system when responder is void in 1 or (2?) suits and is responding to RKC Ace asking?

 

Have you noticed any problems or misunderstandings with your system, have you managed to bid slams that the field missed or stay out of slams with the wrong void?

 

Thanks, appreciate any comments. :P

[inquiry]

Two practical solutions before I will get to the answer to your question are, 1) try to use cue bidding and save RKCB to the right moment. 2) If both partners know slam is close one with void use Exclusion blackwood.

 

Ok, but here your partner takes you by surprise with Blackwood and yuo have an unexpected void. I like what Eddie Kantar suggest in his most excellent book on Roman Keycard Blackwood (yes, an entire book.... worht the money if you are a system nut).... It works like this...

 

If hearts are trumps,

 

4NT (rkcb)

------> 6C = one or three key cards, plus void in clubs

------> 6D = one or three key cards, plus void in diamonds

------> 6H = one or three key cards, plus void in spades

------> 5N = zero or two key cards, plus some void

------------> 6C ask which void?

----------------->6D = void in clubs or diamonds

----------------->6H = void in spades

 

When spades are trumps,

4NT (rkcb)

------> 6C = one or three key cards, plus void in clubs

------> 6D = one or three key cards, plus void in diamonds

------> 6H = one or three key cards, plus void in hearts

------> 5N = zero or two key cards, plus some void

------------> 6C ask which void?

----------------->6D = void in diamonds

----------------->6H = void in hearts

----------------->6H = void in spades

 

After the void is shown, if room exist, the next step bid by opener ask for trump queen. The thought on these auctions is from the bidding BEFORE blackwood is used, the blackwood asker will be able to determine if 1 or 3 or 0 or 2 keycards are held.

[Guest Jlall]

For an easier scheme:

 

5N=even with a void

6 level bid=odd with a void (bid the suit if it isnt obvious which void the suit is, or bid 6 of the trump suit if it isn't obvious and the void is higher than the trump suit, otherwise bid 6C).

 

The next step asks for the queen of trumps, the step after that is a general grand slam try. If there is only 1 step it is a general grand slam try.

 

certainly not optimal, but seems to get the job done.

[pclayton]

I've played the same as Ben, but another system that works OK is and I play with another pard, assuming you play 0314:

 

All with voids:

 

5N - 0-3

6♣ - 1-4

6♦ - 2 without Trump Q

6♥ - 2 with Trump Q

 

In other words, the steps just start after 5♠. The partnership is supposed to "know" where the void is. Not always the case.... :P

 

I'm sure both Ben and Justin recognize that its a "useful" void that you show - not a void in one of pard's suits.

[mr1303]

My rule is that with 0 key cards, you don't show the void, as too often this will get you too high, unless you've shown weakness previously in the auction. Secondly I don't show a void if I've already splintered in the suit, neither if partner has shown length in it.

 

After all of that

 

5NT = 2/4 key cards + void somewhere (6C asks where)

 

6C = 1/3 key cards + club void

and so on

[TheoKole]

Thank you for your comments,

 

Inquiry, are there different resonses if the trump suit is a minor?

 

In general I try to forsee these situations and will cuebid or splinter the void suit after trumps have been agreed upon but once in a while, partner has a mallot hand and will suprise me after a simple limit raise.

 

Has anybody had any problems with their systems or things that I should watch out for. Will the systems work as well mith minor suit slams and voids in a major? :)

 

Cheers :)