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From: plh@ukma.UUCP (Paul L. Hightower)
Newsgroups: net.rec.bridge
Subject: Re: Conventions : Roman Key Card Blackwood
Message-ID: <1170@ukma.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Mar-85 14:51:18 EST
Article-I.D.: ukma.1170
Posted: Wed Mar  6 14:51:18 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 8-Mar-85 03:18:28 EST
References: <1152@ukma.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of KY Mathematical Sciences
Lines: 20

As a followup to the rules on "what is the key suit?" let me suggest:
1)  If a minor suit has been bid and raised, it is the key suit even if
    you expect to play slam in NT.  It is unlikely that you will find 
    sufficient winners without establishing the minor suit.
2)  If responder jump shifts, then immediately Blackwoods, his suit is the
    assumed key suit, regardless of opener's rebid.  Responder can use this
    technique with a one-suited monster where the K or Q of his suit will be
    important.  
3)  Similiarly, a player who opens a strong or intermediate two-bid and who
    proceeds to Blackwood immediately after naming his suit is asking about
    his own suit.
4)  In most other cases where no suit has obviously been agreed, the last 
    suit bid by the partnership can be assumed.  For this purpose, IGNORE
    ARTIFICIAL BIDS, e.g., Stayman, 2D negative over 2C, cue-bids, etc.
    Also, with any kind of transfer bid, consider the suit INDICATED (e.g.,
    if 4D is used to indicate a strong 4S opener, 4D-P-4NT would ask about
    SPADES, not diamonds. )

Paul Hightower
University of Kentucky