REDWOOD

The concept of the Redwood conventional method asking for Keycards by a slam attempt is also a result of an application called U.S.P., or Useful Space Principle, conceived by Mr. Jeff Rubens, which is defined as when allocating bidding space under partnership agreements and understandings, then assign the bidding space where most useful without reference to natural or traditional bridge meanings of calls. This U.S.P. principle was published by The Bridge World magazine, 1980-1981.

Redwood is a variation or a version of the Kickback convention and should be used in conjunction with one another and both employ bids other than the traditional 4 No Trump bid to initiate the request for Keycards. The concept of Redwood, as with Kickback, is based on the same principles as Roman Keycard Blackwood, also RKB 1430, to ask for the number of Keycards held by the partner. The Kickback conventional method can be used with any suit, but the version of Redwood carries a distinctive difference:

The conventional method of Redwood is only employed when the agreed trump suit is a Minor suit, either Clubs or Diamonds.

Compare with Kickback to form a partnership agreement.

When the only suit bid by the partnership is the agreed Minor trump suit, then the Keycard Asking Bid is a relay bid or the next higher-ranking suit on the four level. Therefore, if the agreed trump suit is Clubs, then the relay suit is Diamonds. If the agreed trump suit is Diamonds, then the relay suit is Hearts, which represent both red suits and the conventional method is therefore designated as Redwood, instead of Blackwood.

In the case that the partnership has bid a suit other than the agreed suit as the trump suit, then the Keycard Asking bid is initiated by a jump in the cheapest unbid suit.

An example follows which should illustrate the usefulness of this method:

 5

AQ4

AKJ1064

A86

A73

K5

9853

K94
   

North

 

South

    

1

2

  An Inverted Minor raise considered to be at least a one-round forcing bid. Establishes the trump suit. Note: a bidding example based on a partnership agreement to illustrate the concept of Redwood.
4 Redwood Keycard Asking bid. The relay bid or the next higher-ranking suit on the four level.
4 NT Second Step showing 1 or 4 Keycards. Roman Keycard Blackwood 3014. See below.
4 First Step. Promises 1 or 4 Keycards. Roman Keycard 1430. See below.
5 RKB-3014 asking for Kings. The next relay after 4 NT and guaranteeing possession of all Keycards.
5 Third Step promising 2 outside Kings. See below.
4 NT RKB-1430 asking for Kings. The next relay after 4 and guaranteeing possession of all Keycards.
5 Third Step promising 2 outside Kings. See below.

Since there is no way for the Redwood bidder to inquire about the Queen of trump, if the first response is either the First or Second Step, then North must assume and/or infer either that South has the Queen of trump and bid either the grand slam in Diamonds or No Trump.

Opener Responder Meaning
1 Minor 2 Minor Inverted Minor partnership agreement. One-round forcing.
4 / Redwood Keycard Asking Bid depending on which Minor suit.
Roman Keycard Blackwood 3014 Responses:
First Step Promises 0 or 3 Keycards.
Second Step Promises 1 or 4 Keycards.
Third Step Promises 2 or 5 Keycards without the Queen of Trump.
Fourth Step Promises 2 or 5 Keycards with the Queen of Trump.
Opener Responder Meaning
1 Minor 2 Minor Inverted Minor partnership agreement. One-round forcing.
4 / Redwood Keycard Asking bid depending on which Minor suit.
Roman Keycard Blackwood 1430 Responses:
First Step Promises 1 or 4 Keycards.
Second Step Promises 0 or 3 Keycards.
Third Step Promises 2 or 5 Keycards without the Queen of Trump.
Fourth Step Promises 2 or 5 Keycards with the Queen of Trump.
Response scale for the King Asking bid:
First Step: Promises 0 outside King.
Second Step: Promises 1 outside King.
Third Step: Promises 2 outside Kings.
Fourth Step: Promises 3 outside Kings.
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.
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