[patroclo]

Do you know where to find a complete lecture on the argument?

[dcohio]

What argument?

When you have shown a GF/extras and trump agreement below game level, cuebids are mandatory when you have an uncontrolled suit (i.e. worthless doubleton/Jxx/Qxx). Blackwood does not tell you if you have a cover for 2 quick losers in a suit.

So, let's take a game forcing auction with extras:

1♥-2NT! Jacoby
3♥!- balanced with extras.

Give responder

AQx, QJxx, xx, AQxx

If responder just jumps straight into blackwood what does he do when partner gives him the response of 1 Ace (or in 1430 2 key cards w/o the Q)? Responder now has no idea what to do. If instead responder would have cuebid with 4♣, partner could bid 4♦ with a diamond control or 4♥ without a diamond control. If partner skips 4♦, you can safely stop in 4♥ knowing you have 2 diamond losers. If partner bids 4 diamonds you can safely bid blackwood/RKCB and get to your slam.

[patroclo]

You make subject too easy. i thinks that many time there are misunderstanding. some begin only with 1st control cue bid. other with 1st or 2nd, many use nt with a particular meaning. Champion give also 3rd control with some gadget. I think that a general standard to use in bbo should be useful to try the cue bid with an occasional partner

[Antraxxx]

dcohio, in the sequence you described:
1♥-2NT
3♥-4♣
Wouldn't 4♦ require spades to also be controlled? (as 4♣ rules out ♠ control)

[dcohio]

Antraxxx, on 2011-January-21, 01:08, said:

dcohio, in the sequence you described:
1♥-2NT
3♥-4♣
Wouldn't 4♦ require spades to also be controlled? (as 4♣ rules out ♠ control)

Of course, you are right, responder should bid 3♠ first... it was late :-)

[dcohio]

patroclo, on 2011-January-21, 00:33, said:

You make subject too easy. i thinks that many time there are misunderstanding. some begin only with 1st control cue bid. other with 1st or 2nd, many use nt with a particular meaning. Champion give also 3rd control with some gadget. I think that a general standard to use in bbo should be useful to try the cue bid with an occasional partner

With most of my partners, we play that any cue bid below the game level is 1st or 2nd round control, and anything over game level is first round control only. Your post was in the B/I section, so I didn't think you wanted to know about how to go about finding 3rd round controls, but yes there is a way in certain systems (precision has a control asking bid where responder will reply in steps). Basically, you just have to have an agreement with partner about your cues, whether they are 1st or 2nd control or 1st only. Many times, my partners and I will skip blackwood entirely and just cue our way to slam. Some people use 3NT after a GF suit agreement to be "serious slam try" and it demands the cheapest cue by partner.

Cuebidding with a partner you haven't talked with about the subject better be pretty obvious, lest you end up passed out in your cuebid.

[dcohio]

patroclo, on 2011-January-21, 00:33, said:

You make subject too easy. i thinks that many time there are misunderstanding. some begin only with 1st control cue bid. other with 1st or 2nd, many use nt with a particular meaning. Champion give also 3rd control with some gadget. I think that a general standard to use in bbo should be useful to try the cue bid with an occasional partner

With most of my partners, we play that any cue bid below the game level is 1st or 2nd round control, and anything over game level is first round control only. Your post was in the B/I section, so I didn't think you wanted to know about how to go about finding 3rd round controls, but yes there is a way in certain systems (precision has a control asking bid where responder will reply in steps). Basically, you just have to have an agreement with partner about your cues, whether they are 1st or 2nd control or 1st only. Many times, my partners and I will skip blackwood entirely and just cue our way to slam. Some people use 3NT after a GF suit agreement to be "serious slam try" and it demands the cheapest cue by partner.

Cuebidding with a partner you haven't talked with about the subject better be pretty obvious, lest you end up passed out in your cuebid.

[Zelandakh]

Pat, there is a description of cue-bidding (Roman-style) and the Serious 3NT convention available on BBO if you use the downloadable client. I would suggest that is a good place for you to start.