This conventional method was originated by Mr. Kaj Tarp, (also written Kai), of Denmark. This conventional method is also known under the designation of Tarp 4 Diamonds, (also Tarp's 4 Diamonds), after the name of the person, who devised it. This method was published in the Dansk Bridge magazine, (The Danish Bridge magazine) in the year 1958, written by the author.

Information About the Authors

Note: The information on this web page has been contributed and confirmed by Kirsten Steen Moller and Mr. Roland Wald, both of Denmark.

Note: Mr. Kaj Tarp is the author of the publication Præcisionssystemet, (Translation: Precision System), 1972, Publisher: H. Hirschsprungs Forlag/Aschehoug, Design of cover by K.B. Hansen, pages 82, ISBN-10: 8711017708 / ISBN-13: 9788711017708.

Note: Mr. Roland Wald, better known on BBO as Walddk, is a Vugraph Co-ordinator for Bridge Base Online. Mr. Roland Wald resided many years in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is Danish/Swedish and speaks five languages fluently, namely Danish, Swedish, German, Hebrew, and English. He began his career as a journalist, but the game of bridge has always been his passion. In fact, he is a Danish Grand Master, and the holder of multiple National and Scottish Open titles. As of 2010 he resides in England. Additional information about this bridge personality can be found on BBO and also BBO News.

Roland Wald

Principle of the Concept

The method is a means for the responder to discover the precise point count of a 1 No Trump opening by partner. The responder, with sufficient game values, bids 4 Diamonds. The opener rebids, showing his values, according to the following diagram.

4 :	Shows minimum values
4 :	Shows moderate values
4 NT:	Shows maximum values

Example 1

Opener AQ9 KJ75 K43 Q92

Responder AQ9 KJ75 K43 Q92

Auction - No competition
Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Initiation of the KIVI conventional response method. The responder shows sufficient game values.
4				Opener shows minimum values.

Example 2

Opener AQ9 KQ75 K43 Q92

Responder K76 A94 QJ86 KJ10

Auction - No competition
Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Initiation of the KIVI conventional response method. The responder shows sufficient game values.
4				Opener shows moderate values.

Example 3

Opener AQ9 KQ75 A43 Q92

Responder K76 A94 QJ86 KJ10

Auction - No competition
Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Initiation of the KIVI conventional response method. The responder shows sufficient game values.
4 NT				Opener shows maximum values.

This response method can also be employed, by partnership agreement, in similar bidding sequences when a jump to 4 Diamonds follows a No Trump bid, although the opening was not originally a No Trump opening.

Example 1

East		South		West		North		Meaning
1								Defined as a non-artificial opening bid.
		1 NT						Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
				Pass				The partner of the opener shows insufficient values to compete.
						4		Initiation of the KIVI conventional response method. The responder shows sufficient game values.
Pass								The opener is unable to compete on the four level.
		4//NT						Opener shows the values according to the Kivi (Tarp 4 Diamonds) conventional method.

Historical Note

Although this conventional method devised by Mr. Kaj Tarp is hardly known outside of his country of Denmark, his method was incorporated into the Bulldog Bidding System devised by Mr. William J. Hanna of Bethesda, Maryland, United States, and Mr. Douglas Steen of Los Angeles, California, United States. These two bridge theorists and authors had their bidding system or conventional method listed in the publication The Bridge Player's Bedside Companion, authored by Mr. Albert A. Ostrow, published 1955.

However, in later, revised publications, following the publication in the Dansk Bridge magazine in 1958 of Mr. Kaj Tarp, both Mr. William J. Hanna and Mr. Douglas Steen included and incorporated the concept of Mr. Kaj Tarp from Denmark following a No Trump opening or overcall into their bidding system. The newly revised version was also designated once again according to the first two names of the authors Bill (William) and Doug (Douglas) with the replacement of the i and the omission of the u in both given names.

It is with this web page that we would like to provide and present credit to Mr. Kaj Tarp of Denmark for his concept and to recognize his efforts, although the concept has been replaced by other, perhaps more inclusive methods.

 

 

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.