Control Cue-bids by Matthias Huberschwiller

In this quiz, we will look at slam bidding and control-showing cue-bids.

To be able to make a slam, you need to control every side-suit. This means having either an Ace, King, singleton or void in each of the side-suits, to prevent the opponents from cashing an Ace-King in that suit on lead.

Having found a fit at the 3-level, if you want to try for a slam, you need to check on controls between 3 and 4 of your suit, and cue-bid the ones you have. You can only bid Blackwood when you know your side controls every side-suit.

Good luck.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 10 9 6 3
♥ A K
♦ K Q 10 6
♣ J 4

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	3♠	Pass
?

A: 4♦ - Just because your partner opened 1♣ doesn't mean he must have a control there. You don't have a Club control, so you need to cue-bid your first control, in Diamonds.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A K 6
♥ Q J 10 9 8 6
♦ 5
♣ K J 2

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♥	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: 4 NT - You are strong enough for a slam and control every side-suit. You can bid Blackwood.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A K Q 6
♥ 8
♦ Q J 9 6 2
♣ A 6 2

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
3♠	Pass	4♣	Pass
?

A: 4♥ - You partner has shown a Club control. You don't have a Diamond control, but have a Heart control. Cue-bid the one you have.

When you bypass a cue-bid, you are denying a control in that suit. Here, your partner will know that you don't control Diamonds.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A 6 2
♥ K Q J 6 2
♦ 9 2
♣ K Q 4

Q: 4 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♥	Pass	3♥	Pass
?

A: 3♠ - When you are playing in Hearts, a Spade control is the only one that's shown at the 3-level. If you bid 4♠, you won't be able to stop in 4♥.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 10 9 2
♥ A 4
♦ Q J 6
♣ K 5 2

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♠	Pass	3♠	Pass
4♣	Pass	4♥	Pass
?

A: 4♠ - Your partner has denied a Diamond control. You don't have one either. This means your opponents have the Ace-King of Diamonds to cash straight away.

You need to stop in 4♠. A slam is not possible anymore.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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