Source: [ilink url=”http://www.bridgebum.com/baby_blackwood.php”]BridgeBum[/ilink]
Baby Blackwood is a 3NT ace-asking bid after a major-suit fit is found. It is just like Blackwood, except that it’s one level lower. Example auctions:
| Opener | Responder |
1 |
3 |
| 3NT |
| Opener | Responder |
1 |
2 |
| 3 |
3NT |
In these auctions, it’s extremely unlikely that 3NT is needed as a natural bid. Hence the idea to save one level of bidding space.
Some partnerships also play 1/ : 3NT as Baby Blackwood, although I prefer to play 3NT as 13-15 HCP with 4333 shape. Rather than use Baby Blackwood in this situation, I find a Jacoby 2NT response more practical.
Responses to 3NT
The responses to 3NT are the same as Blackwood.
4 |
Shows 0 or 4 aces |
4 |
Shows 1 ace |
| 4 |
Shows 2 aces |
| 4 |
Shows 3 aces |
Alternatively, Key Card responses can be used.
Rebids by the 3NT bidder
After hearing partner’s response, a 4NT rebid is a king-asking bid. The responses follow the same pattern as the 3NT responses where 5 shows 0 or 4 kings, etc.