A feature of the Pro System based principally on a 4 Clubs bid, which asks for Aces and other controls, in order to attempt slam when the preceding auction strongly indicates the possibility. The name CLARAC is an acronym for CLub Asking, Respond Aces and Controls. The responses to a 4 Clubs bid will vary according to whether the responder has indicated a good holding in the bidding sequence.

Note: As a designation the acronym is spelled with all uppercase letters, but the designation is written generally in lowercase letters when describing the concept.

Note: Under certain bidding circumstances the trump suit may be decided immediately when one partner shows a fit immediately with corresponding values. Since the 1 Club opening in the Pro System agreement promises 17-20 high card points, the partnership agreement can then include the bid of 3 Clubs to initiate the Clarac Slam Try.

If the holding has been limited in any way, then a 4 Heart response would show only one Ace and additionally a first or second round control in Hearts. On the other hand, if the responder has indicated a strong holding, then the responses to a 4 Clubs bid will show one more Ace than the normal responses for a limited hand.

The response of 4 Diamonds to a 4 Clubs Ace asking bid denies an Ace or even a King-Queen combination. Following any response to a 4 Clubs Ace asking bid, except 4 Diamonds, any suit bid by the 4 Clubs bidder is an Asking Bid in that suit. The Clarac Slam Try includes additional control-asking bids during the ensuing auction.

General First Responses

4 :	Shows no Aces and no honor combinations such as King-Queen.
4 :	Shows one Ace in any suit and a first or second round control in Hearts.
4 :	Shows one Ace in any suit and a first or second round control in Spades.
4 NT:	Shows no Aces but an honor combination, specifically King-Queen.
5 :	Shows one Ace in any suit and a first or second round control in Clubs.
5 :	Shows two unspecified Aces and a second round control in Diamonds.
5 :	Shows two unspecified Aces and a second round control in Hearts.
5 :	Shows two unspecified Aces and a second round control in Spades.
5 NT:	Shows three Aces and no additional controls.
6 :	Shows two Aces and a second round control in Clubs.

Additional First Responses

The concept or principle behind these responses continues below, although they will percentage-wise occur rather infrequently. When the partner, who is asking for Aces, King, or even King-Queen combinations, the responding partner must hold a minimum of 1 or more Aces if he is to be able to respond in a positive manner. Any first response of 4 or above is a positive response.

Note: Although rare the following responses are included as legitimate responses:

6 :	Shows 4 Aces in addition to the second round control, (generally the King) of Diamonds.
6 :	Shows 4 Aces in addition to the second round control, (generally the King) of Hearts.
6 :	Shows 4 Aces in addition to the second round control, (generally the King) of Spades.

Additional Second Responses

When the partner of the CLARAC asking bidder has responded favorably to the first asking bid, then the asking bidder may make a relay bid in order to inquire about any additional controls in that bid suit.

Cheapest suit possible:	Shows no additional control in the asked suit.
Minimum No Trump:	Shows a second-round control in the asked suit, which may be either a King or a singleton.
New suit other than the cheapest suit:	Shows the Ace of the asked suit in addition to the second-round control of the bid suit.
Raise of the asked suit:	Shows 2 of the 3 top honors in that suit, but no additional control.

Note: The CLARAC asking partner, theoretically, may continue to employ relay bids to continue inquiring about held controls until either a negative response is made or a slam contract (small or grand) has been reached.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.