cards · tap a card (or press the button) to reveal the answer.
Question
What are the “keycards” in Roman Keycard Blackwood?
Answer
Why
The four aces plus the king of the agreed trump suit - five keycards in all
Why
Ordinary Blackwood counts only aces. Roman Keycard adds the trump king because, once you have a trump fit, it is as important as an ace.
Question
Roman Keycard Blackwood has two versions. What are they?
Answer
Why
1430 and 0314
Why
They differ only in which responses show which number of keycards. Agree with your partner which one you play, because getting this wrong is expensive.
Question
In 1430, what does a 5♣ response show?
Answer
Why
1 or 4 keycards
Why
This is the first step, and it is where the “14” in the name 1430 comes from.
Question
In 1430, what does a 5♦ response show?
Answer
Why
3 or 0 keycards
Why
This is the second step - the “30” in the name 1430.
Question
In 1430, what does a 5♥ response show?
Answer
Why
2 keycards without the queen of trumps
Why
The third and fourth steps both show two keycards; they differ only in whether the trump queen is there too.
Question
In 1430, what does a 5♠ response show?
Answer
Why
2 keycards with the queen of trumps
Why
Showing the trump queen alongside the keycard count is the whole reason Roman Keycard beats plain Blackwood.
Question
The 5♥ and 5♠ responses are usually described as “2 keycards”. What else can they show, and why is that not a problem?
Answer
Why
Technically 2 or 5 keycards - but in practice it is always 2
Why
For partner to hold all five keycards, you would have to hold none - and nobody bids 4NT with zero keycards in their own hand. So the asker can safely read 5♥ and 5♠ as two.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 0 keycards. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♦ - the “3 or 0” step
Why
With none at all you take the second step. Partner will normally read it as three, so be ready. You should rarely be this weak in this auction.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 1 keycard. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♣ - the “1 or 4” step
Why
The first step covers both one and four; the rest of the auction tells partner which it is.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 2 keycards without the queen of trumps. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♥
Why
Two keycards, no trump queen - the third step.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 2 keycards with the queen of trumps. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♠
Why
Two keycards plus the trump queen - the fourth step. It is one step higher than 5♥ because it shows the extra good news.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 3 keycards. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♦ - the “3 or 0” step
Why
Same step as zero keycards. Partner will nearly always read it as three, because a hand with nothing rarely reaches this auction.
Question
Partner bid 4NT and you hold 4 keycards. What do you respond?
Answer
Why
5♣ - the “1 or 4” step
Why
Same step as one keycard. Partner works out which from the strength you have already shown.
Question
When is it correct to use Blackwood or 1430?
Answer
Why
Only when you know you have no two quick losers in any side suit
Why
Keycard tells you how many aces and trump honours are missing, not where the danger is. If you are not sure about a side suit, control-bid first.
Question
Are Blackwood and 1430 slam-try bids used to explore slam?
Answer
Why
No - they are not slam tries at all
Why
Use them when you already believe you belong in slam and only want to confirm you are not missing too many keycards. Control bidding does the exploring.
Question
When should you avoid using Blackwood or 1430?
Answer
Why
- When you have a void
- When you have two quick losers in a side suit
- When any of partner’s possible responses would get you too high
Why
In each case a keycard count does not answer your real question, and the reply may take you higher than you can safely play.
Question
Why should you avoid Blackwood when you hold a void?
Answer
Why
The answer cannot tell you whether partner’s aces are opposite your void or in a useful side suit
Why
An ace facing your void is worthless, but the count looks identical either way - so the reply can badly mislead you. Control-bid instead.
Question
On the keycard count, what do you want before bidding a small slam?
Answer
Why
At least 4 keycards and the queen of trumps
Why
Missing one keycard is usually fine. Missing a keycard and the trump queen is not - that slam depends on a queen finesse.
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