The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept is to determine the location of specific Aces and Kings with an opening bid of 3 No Trump. The opening bid is forcing and implies a very strong holding with three or fewer Losing Tricks. After determining whether partner holds any specific values and the location thereof, the opener is then able to set the correct contract at the correct level.

Note: The first response show only the location of one Ace. These first responses do not allow the responder to show two or three Aces. Since the Kabel 3 No Trump opening bid shows a holding with three or fewer losing tricks, then it is quite doubtful that the responder could hold more than one Ace or one King. Therefore the necessity of showing two or three Aces is not present.

Responses

Opener		Responder		Meaning
3 NT				An opening bid of 3 No Trump asks the responder for the location of held Aces.
		4		Shows zero Aces.
		4		Shows the Ace of Diamonds.
		4		Shows the Ace of Hearts.
		4		Shows the Ace of Spades.
4 NT				Asks the responder for the location of held Kings.
		5		Shows zero Kings.
		5		Shows the King of Diamonds.
		5		Shows the King of Hearts.
		5		Shows the King of Spades.
		6		Shows the King of Clubs.

Continuations following a 5 first response to a 3 NT opening, which promises the Ace of Clubs are as follows:

Opener		Responder		Meaning
3 NT				Asks for the location of held Aces.
		5		Shows the Ace of Clubs.
5 NT				Asks for the location of held Kings.
		6		Shows the King of Diamonds.
		6		Shows the King of Hearts.
		6		Shows the King of Spades.
		7		Shows the King of Clubs.

Note that the first responses do include the possibility of discovering the location of the held Kings as opposed to the variation presented below, which only addresses the location and number of held Aces.

Example

The following example should assist in clarifying the employment of this three level opening bid. Since the opener has a holding with three or fewer losing tricks the concept only allows the responder to bid only what is requested.

	North 104 94 AK9865 643
West 8765 52 73 AKJ72		East 92 1086 J102 Q10985
	South AKQJ3 AKQJ73 Q4
Auction

North		East		South		West
Pass		Pass		3 NT		Pass
4		Pass		4 NT		Pass
5		Pass		7		All Pass

Once North discovers that partner holds both the Ace and King, then North bids the grand slam, knowing that there are no losing tricks in Diamonds. The only danger to the fulfillment of the contract would be a 5-0 split in trump topped by the Ten.

Variation of the Original Version

This variation does not provide the opportunity to ask for the location of any held Kings.

Opener		Responder		Meaning
3 NT				An opening bid of 3 No Trump asks the responder for the location of held Aces.
		4		Shows zero Aces.
		4		Shows the Ace of Diamonds.
		4		Shows the Ace of Hearts.
		4		Shows the Ace of Spades.
		5		Shows the Ace of Clubs.
		4 NT		Shows two non-touching Aces.
		5		Shows the Ace of Diamonds and the Ace of Hearts, the next higher-ranking suit.
		5		Shows the Ace of Hearts and the Ace of Spades, the next higher-ranking suit.
		5		Shows the Ace of Spades and the Ace of Clubs, the next higher-ranking suit.
		6		Shows the Ace of Clubs and the Ace of Diamonds, the next higher-ranking suit.
		5 NT		Shows three Aces.

The origin of this response variation following the Kabel 3 No Trump opening bid is unknown. Source is Mr. Lorne Russell of the website for Bridge Squeezes Complete.

 

 

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.