Baby Blackwood
     
 
to conventions this page was last updated: 7-July-2006
 
     
 
If you wish you can view the pdf file download the Word Doc file for viewing or printing.
 
     
     
     
 

Baby Blackwood

 
  After any one-level suit opening, a jump to 3NT is not really needed (you can always bid something and then bid 3NT). So some players play this as Blackwood. This is ideal when you have a responding hand that is looking for slam but has no aces (so that a one ace response gets you too high).  
     
 
Example 1        
           
West East West East
           
KJ96 5 1 3NT
A9876 KQ54 4 4
104 KQJ9873 pass  
KQ J    
           
Example 2        
           
West East West East
           
KJ96 5 1 3NT
A9876 KQ54 4 pass
A104 KQJ9873    
95 J    
           
Example 3        
           
West East West East
           
A96 5 1 3NT
A9876 KQ54 4 6
A104 KQJ9873 pass  
95 J    
 
     
  It is best not to play Roman responses, as 4 showing two aces and the trump queen may be too high if 's are trumps; and responder may not actually be angling to play in the major opened and so not interested in the ‘trump' king.  
     
  So keep it simple; 4 = 0/4, 4 = 1, 4 = 2, 4 = 3. A subsequent 4NT asks for kings.  
     
  Baby Blackwood may also be used after a minor suit opening.  
  And Baby Blackwood may also be used when a 9-card major suit has been found, for example the sequence: -  
     
 
  1 - 3 - 3NT or 1 - 3 - 3NT.
 
     
  3NT cannot realistically be to play as responder presumably has 4 trumps or else a definite desire to play in the suit contract. Note that it's not the same after 1 - 2 or 1 - 2 as then responder has only promised 3 card support and 3NT is natural, offering that as an alternative contract to 4 of the major.  
     
     
 
  Pattaya Bridge Club - www.pattayabridge.com
 
     
 
to conventions