Roman Key Cards, 1430 and 1340

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To minimize the possibility of going too high too fast, there are other variations of the Blackwood system using 4 NT as asking for Aces that attempt to convey more relevant information right away and still keep the bid as low as possible. Those systems can be grouped together as Roman Key Card (RKC) systems, in which in which the partners agree which cards count as key cards that offer first- or second-round controls. Those are Aces, of course, but can only be Kings, voids and singletons. The most version of RKC that will be encountered at tournaments is called 1430. It is named after the score that a vulnerable Small Slam in a major suit (Hearts and Spades) is worth. Under this system, the first answer means 1 or 4 Aces and the second answer means 0 or 3 Aces. Presumably, there is no confusion as to whether the answer means 0 or 3, or 1 or 4 as the case may be. But the Bridge Burglar has seen many real cases of confusion, and for beginning or intermediate players, it is probably best to keep it at straight Blackwood. Another variation of the Roman Key Card (RKC) system is called 1340, the reverse of 1430, and reverses the answer bids for 1or 4 key cards and 0 or 3 key cards.

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