Contract Bridge

Blackwood is one of the best conventions ever devised, but it should not be abused or it might defeat its very purpose. There are several delicate nuances connected with Blackwood that its users must be aware of for the convention to be fully effective. Consider this case, which shows how too rigid an application of Blackwood can do more harm than good.

After South opened one spade, North quite naturally bid two clubs, whereupon South went directly to four spades, indicating a selfsufficient suit. North had the values to bid six spades straightaway, but to test the possibility of a potential grand slam, he decided to use Blackwood.

After South showed one ace by bidding five diamonds, North bid five notrump, ostensibly asking for kings. By logic as well as universal agreement, this bid guaranteed that the partnership had all four aces. South then showed two kings, and North signed off in six spades, which South passed. Thus, the laydown grand slam was missed.

The fault in not reaching seven can be attributed to South, who should have bid seven spades over five notrump. He should have counted how many tricks he was apt to make rather than telling partner how many kings he had.

When North bid five notrump, indicating no aces were missing, South could count seven spade winners, at least three clubs and the two red aces for a total of 12 tricks. But because North had bid clubs, there was an excellent chance that the club suit would provide a 13th trick — just A-J-x-x or A-x-x-x-x was all North needed to have.

Even in the sequence shown, South had a chance to recover. After North bid six spades, South could still have carried on to seven at his next turn.