Key card over a preempt

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Bidding after partner has made a preempt isn't always easy. In this video we look at a modified ace asking or keycard asking convention some players use in this situation which can be helpful.
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[@johnmanley8743]

Ty, very interesting. Don’t know how likely could be used and pretty sure I’d forget the convention when it does. Then there’s the matter of persuading my partner to adopt the convention! But, I’ll have to try.

[@Skybridgeclub]

When I first learnt about this gadget I thought it would be too hard to remember, too. But the steps are quite logical, 0,1,1+,2,2+ so it's easy enough. Good luck!

[@allanmoynihan2008]

Always something new to learn. Thank You.

[@Skybridgeclub]

Thanks, Allan.

[@user-bb8nt1fs9w]

Can this be used with a preempt at the 2 level or only at the three level?

[@Skybridgeclub]

You've got more options over a 2 level preempt. For example, 2H - 4C would be a splinter for some players, showing heart support and a singleton C. You can also bid 2NT over a weak 2 opening as a forcing bid to get more info from partner and then, perhaps bid 4C after that. You'd need to decide the meaning of that, too. Having said all that, whatever you agree with partner is fine. If you don't play splinter bids and you wanted to use 2H - 4C or 2S - 4C as keycard then go for it!

[@G0ld3l0cks]

Is it always 4C or is it the next suit up? What if the pre-empt is in clubs? A 4C bid would normally show a weak hand with 3 clubs (extending the pre-empt). Do you give this up or would you bid 3D as a key card asking bid?

[@Skybridgeclub]

Good question. If the opening bid is 3C then 4D is Keycard. If the opening bid is 3D, 3H or 3S then 4C is Keycard. This way the 3 level responses all retain their natural meanings.

[@carolinesielle2569]

if the keycard is 4D how does the pre-empter show no keycards? If he passes they could get left in 4D @@Skybridgeclub

[@Skybridgeclub]

@@carolinesielle2569 You just work your way up in steps. 1st step 0, so in this case 4H would show 0. To be honest, I can never remember what bid relates to what number of keycards so I always think of it in steps. 1st step 0, 2nd step 1 and so on. 0,1,1+,2,2+

[@magicmerl7749]

Couldn't you just Roman key card this? 4NT, they respond 5C to show 1, 5D to ask for QS, 5H to say no, 5S signoff. It gets you one level higher but you still only had two losers.

[@Skybridgeclub]

You could, but there’s no need to get so high. I’m happy playing in 4 rather than 5!