Massive hand? Let's go slowly! - with Bridget Rampton

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You pick up your hand. It's massive: ♠AQJ4 ♥K3 ♦AQ ♣AKJ94
Low and behold your partner has already shown an opening hand! Let's go slowly thinking though exactly what partner might have and what the best strain of contract will be.
♠♥♦♣♠♥♦♣♠♥♦♣
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[@pimrajasaari9037]

Thanks 🙏

[@pw2783]

Always a joy to watch these 2 players explain why they bid what they do. Thank you

[@naomisharir6253]

I am really confused with the bidding in this hand.
First of, I have no idea what 14/30 is. Where can I find out about this?

[@EdNoharm]

RKCB 14/30 is an advanced slam bidding convention in bridge. When you bid 4NT, you're not just asking for aces but for five key cards-the four aces + the king of the agreed trump suit. The responder replies using the 14/30 system:
5♣ = 1 or 4 key cards
5♦ = 3 or 0 key cards
5♥ = 2 or 5 key cards (without the trump queen)
5♠ = 2 or 5 key cards (with the trump queen)
After getting a response, if the asker wants to know about the queen of trumps, they bid the next available step (e.g., 5♦ after 5♣). If the responder doesn't have the queen, they sign off in the agreed trump suit at the 5-level. If they do have the queen, they either bid 6 of the trump suit (if no extra info) or cue-bid a side king (e.g., 5♣ to show the ♣K).
If the queen is confirmed, the asker can go further by bidding 5NT, which asks for specific side kings (excluding the trump king). The responses:
6♣ = 0 kings
6♦ = 1 king
6♥ = 2 kings
6♠ = 3 kings
This system helps pinpoint slam or grand slam potential by ensuring that all controls are accounted for before committing to 6NT, 6♠, or even 7♠!

[@GarySpencer-z4s]

@@EdNoharm The agreed trump suit? Can you explain please?

[@ginabutler6190]

Is your RKCB assuming Clubs as trumps? Might not be best contract

[@davidmonnerat8598]

Yes, after club raise, you assume C trump for RKCB. But by no means does this have to be the contract. As South, you don't care, you just want to find some of partners cards. North has to oblige with assumption of C trump. Then South chooses the contract. This is a main point of Blackwood (aces or RKCB), once you bid 4nt, you are in the drivers seat. Because of this, it can be very important which side is initiating the key card search!