EXCLUSION
BLACKWOOD
Exclusion Blackwood is a continuation and extenuation of the Roman Key Card Blackwood convention. The concept behind this convention is to show a void while exploring for the possibility of a slam. The bidding process is quite easy to learn and will assist in reaching, through the exchange of information, the correct contract. Many contributions to bridge theory were made by Mr. Bobby Goldman, 1938 - 1999, and the idea behind Exclusion Blackwood is attributed to him. The Bridge World, May 1981 Volume 52, Number 8 has an article about the Exclusion Blackwood convention, written by Mr. Ron Gerard. The convention of Exclusion Blackwood is also referred to as Voidwood.
The bidding process:
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
|
1 |
|
3 |
It is agreed that Spades is the trump suit. Normally, the opener, who is looking for a possible slam contract, will employ the Roman Key Card Blackwood convention to discover the number of Key Cards held by the responder. However, the opener has a void, which makes the hand much more valuable. Exclusion Blackwood is a convention which will assist the opener in showing his partner that he holds a void and in which suit the void is.
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Clubs | |
|
5 |
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Diamonds | |
|
5 |
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Hearts |
By jumping to the Five Level, the opener is communicating to his partner that he has interest in a slam contract and that he has a void in the bid suit. The responder, realizing the location of the void, responds to the Exclusion Blackwood convention by counting his Key Cards except the Key Card in the suit, in which the opener is void.
The bid on the Five Level by the opener is treated the same as had the opener bid 4 No Trump, employing normal Roman Key Card Blackwood. Therefore, the responder would bid according to the following, showing his Key Cards.
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Clubs |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 0 or 3 Key Cards | |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 1 or 4 Key Cards | |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 2 Key Cards without the Queen of trump | |
|
|
5 NT |
Responder has 2 Key Card with the Queen of trump |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Diamonds |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 0 or 3 Key Cards | |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 1 or 4 Key Cards | |
|
|
|
5 NT |
Responder has 2 Key Cards without the Queen of trump |
|
|
|
6 |
Responder has 2 Key Card with the Queen of trump |
|
Opener |
|
Responder |
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Exclusion Blackwood - void in Hearts |
|
|
5 |
Responder has 0 or 3 Key Cards | |
|
|
5 NT |
Responder has 1 or 4 Key Cards | |
|
|
|
6 |
Responder has 2 Key Cards without the Queen of trump |
|
|
|
6 |
Responder has 2 Key Card with the Queen of trump |
In all bidding auctions, it is important to remember that the promised void suit Key Card is not counted as a Key Card when responding.
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.