The origin of this designation is unknown. The designation of Kiri originates with the Maori, a member of the aboriginal people of New Zealand, and which also designates the Polynesian language of this people. The word itself means tree bark. More precisely it means any of a genus (Paulownia) of Chinese trees of the snapdragon family; especially: one (P. tomentosa) widely cultivated for its panicles of fragrant violet flowers. Note: Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Principle of the Concept

The concept serves only one purpose and is employed only after one partner, whose partner has not previously passed, opens the auction with 1 No Trump. The responder, with game forcing values and the correct distribution, first responds with 4 Diamonds. The opener, with a Kiri Asking Bid, is required to describe the strength of the No Trump opening. The following responses promise the varying strength:

4 :	The No Trump holding is minimum.
4 :	The No Trump holding is average.
4 NT:	The No Trump holding is maximum.

Generally, whatever the rebid of the responder is, this becomes the final contract. If the responder passes the rebid by the opener of 4 Hearts, then the responder is promising at least a 6-card Heart suit; if not, then the responder corrects to the 6-card Spade suit and becomes the declarer. The opener is required to pass

If the responder passes the rebid by the opener of 4 Spades, then the responder is promising at least a 6-card Spade suit. If the responder, however, corrects to 5 Hearts, then this becomes the final contract.

This conventional method can also be employed after a 2 No Trump opening. The range of the No Trump becomes irrelevant, since the values of the responder are then, by partnership agreement, appropriately altered to meet the requirements for the selected high card point range. By partnership agreement, if the responder is already a passed hand, a re-evaluation of the values held may justify employing the Kiri Asking Bid.

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.