Baby Blackwood


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Baby Blackwood is a 3NT ace-asking bid after a major-suit fit is found. It is just like Blackwood, except that it's one level lower. Example auctions:


Opener    
1
3NT
Responder    
3


Opener    
1
3
Responder    
2
3NT


In these auctions, it's extremely unlikely that 3NT is needed as a natural bid. Hence the idea to save one level of bidding space.

Some partnerships also play 1/ : 3NT as Baby Blackwood, although I prefer to play 3NT as 13-15 HCP with 4333 shape. Rather than use Baby Blackwood in this situation, I find a Jacoby 2NT response more practical.


Responses to 3NT

The responses to 3NT are the same as Blackwood.

Response Meaning
4 0 or 4 aces
4 1 ace
4 2 aces
4 3 aces

Alternatively, Key Card responses can be used.


Rebids by the 3NT bidder

After hearing partner's response, a 4NT rebid is a king-asking bid. The responses follow the same pattern as the 3NT responses where 5 shows 0 or 4 kings, etc.

See also

  • Hexagon
    A system of multipurpose two- and three-level bids that uses transfer preempts.

  • 5NT Pick a Slam
    A conventional 5NT bid that asks partner to choose a small slam.

  • Blackwood
    The original 4NT convention invented by Easley Blackwood to ask for aces.

  • Exclusion Blackwood
    A variation of Roman Key Card Blackwood that's used with a void.

  • Gerber
    An ace-asking convention in no-trumps slam auctions.

  • Grand Slam Force
    A 5NT bid as a conventional grand slam try.

  • Roman Blackwood
    An Italian variation of Blackwood. The responses to 4NT include the rank and colors of the four aces.

  • Roman Key Card Blackwood
    A popular variation of Blackwood that asks for aces and the king of trumps.

  • DEPO
    A conventional Blackwood or Gerber response after interference: Double = Even, Pass = Odd.

  • DOPI
    A conventional Blackwood or Gerber response after interference: Double = 0, Pass = 1.

  • ROPI
    A conventional Blackwood or Gerber response when the opponents double: Redouble = 0, Pass = 1.

About

Bridgebum began in 1999 and covers a large set of descriptions of bidding conventions, declarer play and defense, and more.

Latest Update

Meckwell Defense to 1NT
A defensive bidding structure for use against both weak and strong 1NT opening bids.

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