ROMAN KEYCARD BLACKWOOD

In auctions where a trump suit has been agreed 4NT is Roman Keycard Blackwood. It asks partner how many of the five keycards he holds.

• The five keycards are the four aces and the king of trump

RKC 3014 (0314)		RKC 1430
5 = 0 or 3 keycards		5 = 1 or 4 keycards
5 = 1 or 4 keycards		5 = 0 or 3 keycards
5 = 2 keycards without trump queen		5 = 2 keycards without trump queen
5 = 2 keycards with trump queen		5 = 2 keycards with trump queen
Optional Void Showing Responses:
5NT = even number of keycards (0-2-4) + unspecified void
6 of a lower ranking suit = odd number of keycards (1-3) + void in bid suit
6 of agreed suit = odd number of keycards (1-3) + void in higher ranking suit

• QUEEN ASK: after a 5/ response to 4NT, the 4NT bidder can ask for the trump queen by making the cheapest bid that is not 5 of the agreed suit.
  • Without the queen, responder signs-off at the lowest level of the trump suit
  • With the trump queen, responder:
    • Jumps to 6 of the agreed suit without a king or side suit ‘extra’
    • Bids the cheapest side suit where he has the king
    • Bids 5NT without a king but with a useful extra side suit value
       
• KING ASK: If the partnership holds all five keycards and the trump queen, the original 4NT bidder can ask for kings by bidding 5NT. This is a grand slam try.
  • Preferred response: Specific Kings. Responder answers by bidding the cheapest side suit in which he has the king. Without a side king, reponder returns to the trump suit. Responder does not have to show a king that ranks above the trump suit.
  • Alternate response: Number of Kings. Responder shows how many of the three side suit kings he holds (the trump king is excluded). 6 = 0,  6 = 1, etc.