There are instances where one of the partners determines that a slam might be on the cards (32+ HCPs between the hands) and it is under these circumstances that a number of “tools” can be used :-
- Gerber
- Blackwood
- Cue Bidding
- Grand Slam Force
- Roman Key-Card Blackwood
As beginners you only need to consider the first 2 of these and fortunately they follow as similar process of :-
- Ask for number of Aces
- Respond
- Ask for the number of Kings
- Respond
- Bid accordingly
| Convention/Response | Aces | Kings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GERBER | ||||
| Ask | 4 Clubs | 5 Clubs | ||
| 0 | 4 D | 5 D | ||
| 1 | 4 H | 5 H | ||
| 2 | 4 S | 5 S | ||
| 3 | 4 NT | 5 NT | ||
| 4 | 4 D | 5D | ||
| BLACKWOOD | ||||
| Ask | 4NT | 5NT | ||
| 0 | 5 C | 6 C | ||
| 1 | 5 D | 5 D | ||
| 2 | 5 H | 6 H | ||
| 3 | 5 S | 6 S | ||
| 4 | 5 C | 6 C |
Note that should only go asking for Kings if you have all the Aces.