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BRIDGE GLOSSARY
Kabel Three No Trump - Kabel 3 NT
The origin of this conventional method is unknown. The concept is to determine the location of specific Aces and Kings with an opening of 3 No Trump. The opening bid is forcing and implies a very strong holding with fewer than three 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.
Kalamazoo Tray
The designation for the first Duplicate Whist Tray with pockets for the cards. A picture of the Kalamazoo Tray is shown below in an advertisement, printed in the North American Review of July 1893, stating that the Kalamazoo Tray has done as much for Duplicate Whist as the invention of the telescope did for astronomy. This product was manufactured by Ihling Bros. & Everard of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who were Stationers, Printers, and Publishers during the Civil War and afterwards. One source is: Kalamazoo Method. This product is not described as a board. The tray itself consisted of a fiber-board or paper-board-like substance; reports are of a paper mache type of touch. The construction itself demanded that the cards be inserted under a wire. The pocket of the slot or insert for the dealer was normally outlined in the color red to off-set it from the other slots. The original version of the Kalamazoo Duplicate Whist Tray was manufactured to also accommodate different sizes of cards, and was not cut to only fit the exact size of the rather narrow Whist and newly printed Bridge cards. The developers also included in the center of each tray a rectangular block with a hand pointing to the player, who is to lead the first card. The number of the tray was imprinted on the reverse side of the tray and well as other pertinent information such as the patent number.
It is to be assumed that the specific designation for this tray, this predecessor of the Duplicate Bridge Board, is owing to the fact that the first manufacturers of such a tray had their factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It remains unknown as to who designed this tray. The trays were normally sold to the general Whist and Bridge playing community in a 12-Tray Set, which were shipped to the purchaser in a box.
Kamikaze No Trump
A bidding system devised by Mr. John Kierein of Boulder, Colorado, and which incorporates a 1 No Trump opener in first and second seat on 9 to 12HCPs.
Kantar Cuebid
This is a specialized cuebid after an overcall by an opponent devised by Mr. Eddie Kantar. The example:
West North East 1 2 3 in this specialized form shows a distribution of 5-4-4-0 or 4-4-4-1 with a definite shortage in the suit of the opponent. The strength could be as little as 8/9 HCPs but is not restricted.
Kantar-Kleinman Slam Force - Mr. Eddie Kantar and Mr. Danny Kleinman, during their play as bridge champions, devised separately a method of reaching slam. Since their method reached the bridge community about the same time, this method became known as the Kantar-Kleinman Slam Force.
Kantar Lone Ranger Sequences
This designation cannot be verified and the origin is unknown. This is a particular bidding sequence, generally without competition, in which one partner bids a Minor suit several times, even by-passing a bid of 3 No Trump, whereby the Minor suit rebid is not Keycard Blackwood but it is still a slam try. If the partner is interested, then a cuebid becomes the slam try. If the partner has no interest in slam, then the partner bids 4 No Trump, which is then the sign-off. The guidelines are shown below.
If 3 No Trump has not been bid in the bidding sequence, then the following guidelines apply:
1. If there is no unbid suit, then the 4th bid suit is Roman Keycard Blackwood. 2. If there is one unbid suit, then bidding this suit initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood. 3. If there are two unbid suits, then the lower-ranking suit (or the cheaper) is Roman Keycard Blackwood, the higher-ranking suit is a cuebid, and 4 No Trump becomes a replacement cuebid of the lower-ranking suit. 4. If Diamonds is the agreed suit and Clubs is the unbid or 4th suit, use partner's second suit if there is one. This means only that if one partner has bid either Major suit or if one partner has bid Diamonds and then a Major suit, then employ this second suit as initiating Roman Keycard Blackwood. If this is not the case, then 4 No Trump becomes Roman Keycard Blackwood. (Side note: Presumably when a Major suit initiates the Roman Keycard Blackwood convention, then 4 No Trump becomes the replacement cuebid for that particular Major suit. 5. When Diamonds becomes the agreed trump suit and a cuebid of 4 No Trump is bid, then a bid of 5 initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood. (Side note: Presumably if a cuebid of a suit below 4 No Trump is bid and it by-passes the bid that would have normally become Roman Keycard Blackwood, then a bid of 4 No Trump later initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood.
6. When Clubs becomes the agreed trump suit and a cuebid of 4 No Trump is bid or 5 7. The bidding sequence is played with the understanding that a bid of 4 No Trump is never a natural bid. If 3 No Trump has been bid in the bidding sequence, then the following guidelines apply:
1. If there is no unbid suit, then the fourth suit initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood. 2. If there is one unbid suit, then this suit initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood. 3. If there are two unbid suits, then there is no Roman Keycard Blackwood asking bid since both unbid suits become cuebids. 4. The bidding sequence is played with the understanding that a bid of 4 No Trump is always a natural bid. 5. When Diamonds becomes the agreed trump suit and Clubs is the unbid suit or the fourth suit, then the second suit of one partner, as in the above guidelines, becomes and initiates Roman Keycard Blackwood.
Kantar 3 No Trump - Kantar 3NT
The Kantar 3NT works about the same way as the Gambling 3 No Trump. However, the opener's solid suit is always a Major suit. It is much rarer for responder to pass 3 No Trump instead of playing four of a Major, but still possible.
Kantar Six Ace Blackwood - Kantar Six Ace Roman Keycard Blackwood
This conventional variation of the Six Ace Blackwood convention was devised by Mr. Edwin Kantar, and published in his book Roman Keycard Blackwood. Mr. Edwin Kantar has written four books devoted to the subject of Roman Keycard Blackwood.
Kaplan, Adam - Adam Kaplan - Youngest Life Master
At the age of five years old Adam Kaplan became interested in the game of bridge and played with family members, but became intrigued with the game while on a cruise when the bridge director jokingly asked whether he would like to play. Adam Kaplan learned the basics of the game during this cruise and at the tender age of 10 years and 43 days he became the youngest USA Life Master as a member of the ACBL. This occurred at the St. George Duplicate Bridge Club in Port Richey, Florida, in 2006. Source: ACBL Bridge Bulletin, May 2006, Page 23. Photograph courtesy of: Jonathan Steinberg.
The previous Record Holder for USA Life Master is Danny Hirschman of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who became an ACBL Life Master at the age of 10 years and 81 days during the 1994 Fall North American Bridge Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The present Record Holder for Canada Life Master is Keith Veale of Ottawa, Ontario, who earned his Gold Card in March at the age of 12 years and 10 months. The Title was previously held by David Sabourin, also of Ottawa, Ontario, who earned his Gold Card, becoming a Life Master, at the age of 14 years and 11 days in 1998.
Edgar Kaplan Control Showing Responses - The original concept is designated as Control Showing Responses (also Step Responses) to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs opening. These original responses should be viewed first and then the variation and/or version as suggested by Mr. Edgar Kaplan.
Kaplan Interchange - Although the origin is unknown, the general consensus is that this conventional method was developed in England. It is mainly referred to as Granville, although it has little to do with the Kaplan-Sheinwold Bidding System. The problem arose owing to a particular problem presented mostly in the Two Over One bidding system.
Kaplan Inversion
The use of a 1 No Trump response to a 1 Heart opening, which promises or shows length in Spades, whereas a first response of 1 Spade to a 1 Heart opening becomes a relay bid. The Kaplan Inversion concept is similar to the modern 1 No Trump forcing response.
Kaplan Point Count
Mr. Edgar Kaplan was a bridge teacher, bridge writer of several publications regarding the game of bridge, Editor and Publisher of the magazine The Bridge World, and a bridge theorist in addition to being one of the pioneers of the game of bridge. In his studies and research he devoted much of his time to the values assigned to cards and devised the following after realizing that the standard, of his day, point count did not reflect several features such as the upgrading of Aces and Kings, the downgrading of Queens and Jacks, counting the semi-honors Tens and Nines and accounting for these particular cards, the honors in suits of length plus the honors in combinations.
Kaplan-Sheinwold System
A bidding system developed by Mr. Edgar Kaplan and Mr. Alfred Sheinwold based on five-card Majors and weak No Trump openings. The system has the purpose of precisely limiting the strength shown by all bids during the auction.
Kaplan-Sheinwold Updated 1991
This is the updated version of the Kaplan-Sheinwold bidding system written by Mr. Edgar Kaplan, which was published on the Internet in 1991. This is a .pdf file and, depending on your browser, will automatically be downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader or opened automatically by your browser.
Kaplan-Sheinwold Modification
This is a modified version of the Kaplan-Sheinwold bidding system written by Mr. Moty Katzman and Internet-published in September 16, 1998. This is a .pdf file and, depending on your browser, will automatically be downloaded to your computer and opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader or opened automatically by your browser.
Karate System of Bidding
This is the designation given for a system of bidding in competition, based on some of the pioneering ideas in the publication 3D and the MAFIA Club by Mr. Kenneth L. Lindsay. According to the author, the dominant theme in Karate is that showing two suits with a single bid is likely to be more effective than traditional methods that show only one suit, or three suits, or no suits. This information is only archived on this site in .pdf file format and the source can be found at the link above. This system of bidding also includes:
The Tri Structure - Any non-jump bid in a new suit shows that suit and the next higher unbid suit, Thus, over a 1 Heart opening, 1 Spade shows Spades and Clubs. Two biddable four-card suits are permissible, so long as overall strength is adequate.
The Hex Structure - This structure covers all six two-suit combinations. Each non-jump suit bid denies that suit and shows the next two suits. Double and a No Trump overcall show the two non-touching suit combinations (Clubs plus Hearts and Diamonds plus Spades) with No Trump showing the combination that includes Oener's semi-suit.
Karosel Two Diamonds - Karosel 2 Diamonds
This conventional method, published by Mr. Charles L.L. Dalmas, specifically addresses the holding of a semi-balanced holding with 18-19 high card points.
Karpin Count
The Karpin Count was named after Mr. Fred Karpin, and his distributional count method was highly successful. Mr. Karpin applied distributional points for suit lengths over four. Therefore, for any 5-card suit, 1 distributional point would be added. For any 6-card suit, 2 distributional points would be added.
Kastro Convention
The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown. The defense method is employed after an opening of No Trump by the opponent and may be employed either in the immediate position or in the pass-out seat after two passes. This conventional method is a variation of the concepts Astro, Aspro, and Asptro, and employs so-called idle bids not employed in the original versions,
KCB
See: Key Card Blackwood
Keen's Two Bids
Perhaps the official designation should be Dave Keen's Two Bids, since the concept and conventional method was devised by Mr. Dave Keen of Mercyside, United Kingdom. This is the designation for a full system of Two Bids, which can be played either as weak or strong. In general all Two Bids show either a Strong Two in that suit, or Weak Two in the higher-ranking suit.
Keeping The Bidding Open
The act of refusing to pass, and to allow partner another turn to call.
Keller Convention
This is a designation denoting a form of behavior at the bridge table, that of foregoing any and all post mortems, observations, comments negative or positive, any and all criticisms plus any abusive language. It was Mr. Adam Wildavsky who coined the phrase based upon an article in The Bridge World by Mr. Steve Neillissen. Our researched material can be found by clicking on the following .pdf file.
Kelly Solid Suit Signal
The origin is unknown. This conventional method of signaling partner is the play of the second highest or highest card of a suit, which was originally led, to the second trick of the suit to show that the balance of the suit (five cards originally or longer at No Trump) is now established and will run. A variation for the original leader is the selection of which of touching honors shall be led against a No Trump contract. From KQJ4, the lead of the King followed by the Queen shows a 4-card suit. If the holding is KQJ105, the lead of the Jack would show a 5-card suit. If the holding is KQJ1032, then the Ten would be chosen as the second lead based on the principle that the lower the second lead, the longer the suit.
Kennedy Convention
The origin of this conventional method as well as the designation is unknown. The concept is that once the the auction has been opened with 1 Club, then the partner can make informative responsive bids. The following guidelines apply only if the opening is 1 Club.
1. The first response of a Major suit promises at least a 5-card suit and sufficient values to bid on the one level.
2. The first response of 1 Diamond indicates no 5-card Major suit holding, but implies possession of at least one 4-card Major suit holding and sufficient values to bid on the one level.
3. The first response of 1 No Trump is employed as the commonly used denial bid of any interest in a Major suit.
The advantages to this method are that the opener is informed immediately of a 5-card Major suit holding by the responder on the one level and can immediately show support with a 3-card holding. In the case that the responder has a weak holding, then the assumption is that the best contract has been reached. With additional values, the level of competition can be raised. This also includes the bid of other suits to additionally and further describe the holding after the trump suit has been established.
It is the partnership agreement which determines whether the guidelines hold true if one partner has already passed, whether the state of vulnerability has any influence on the auction and level of competition, and which bids and/or rebids should be treated as forcing.
Kennedy System of Bridge, The
This is the designation for a bidding system devised and published by Mr. George Kennedy in his book titled The Kennedy System of Bridge, published in the year 1965, by Arco Publishing, New York, New York, United States, Library of Congress code LC: 65018481. Any addition information will be greatly appreciated.
Kentucky Club Bidding System
The origin of this bidding system is unknown but the name can hold a clue.
Kenya Bridge Association
Founded in 1963
Contact Address
P.O.Box 42914
Nairobi
Kenya
Telephone: 254-2-228 944
Fax: 254-2-318 931
Keohane Trophy
Mrs. William H. Keohane, or Ethel Keohane, was born 1901 and died 1995 and was of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. She served as Secretary of Eastern Massachusetts Bridge Association for eighteen years and as the Assistant Chairperson of the Goodwill Committee for many years. She was on the Executive Board of the New Gengland B.C. She was also named ACBL Honorary Member in 1982 and was honored in 1991 at the Spring NABC on her 90th birthday. She was Life Master #151 and a Grand Life Master. The Keohane Trophy, which was donated by Ethel Keohane in 1973 in memory of her husband, Mr. William H. Keohane, one of the leading New England bridge personalities.
Kerlan Convention or Querlan Convention - *MS March 2003*. Variation of a Defense Concept. Contributed by Mr. Andrei Varlan, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. This is a defense mechanism against a 1 No Trump opening, which was proposed and expounded by bridge experts and bridge teachers Mr. Gilles Quéran from Angers and Mr. Andrei Varlan, who lives in Gréoux-Les-Bains, south of France, but originally from Romania. The development of this variation of a defense concept is based on an excerpt of the publication: The Encyclopedia of Pairs Tournaments, translated to French by Mr. Michel Lebel in the late 1980s and written by Mr. Kit Woolsey in 1979, but which was never developed further and had not been designated. The bridge player can visit their Website at Bridge+. The following is a description of this defense mechanism after a player has opened the auction with 1 No Trump:
Opener Overcaller Partner Meaning 1 NT Double Shows a one-suited holding; generally an unknown Minor suit. Pass This is a Penalty Pass. Shows sufficient values for a defeat of the contract but not game values. 2 Relay bid asking partner to bid his suit. 2 /
If the suit is a Major suit, then this promises a very strong holding. Possibly game-forcing. 1 NT 2 This is the Landy convention. 1 NT 2 Promises a 6-card suit in one of the Major suits. 2 Relay bid asking partner to bid Spades if the suit is Spades and to pass if Hearts is the suit. This relay bid does not indicate or promise any values. 2 NT Promises a strong fit in either Major. This 2 NT is a cue-bid indicating game values. 1 NT 2 Promises a 5-5 or 5-4 distribution, depending by partnership agreement upon the vulnerability, in Hearts and an unknown Minor suit. Pass Partner is satisfied and shows no game values. 2 NT Cuebid promising possible game values and establishing Hearts as the trump suit. 3 Relay bid asking for Minor suit. If Clubs, overcaller may pass if suit is Clubs or else rebid Diamonds. 1 NT 2 Promises a 5-5 or 5-4 distribution, depending by partnership agreement upon the vulnerability, in Spades and an unknown Minor suit. Pass Partner is satisfied and shows no game values. 2 NT Cuebid promising possible game values and establishing Spades as the trump suit. 3 Relay bid asking for Minor suit. If Clubs, overcaller may pass if suit is Clubs or else rebid Diamonds. 1 NT 2 NT Infrequent, but a cuebid of the opener shows a distribution of 5-5 or better in the two Minor suits.
Key Card Blackwood
A variant of the Blackwood convention in which the King of trumps is counted as if it were an Ace. Therefore, there are 5 Key Cards.
Key Card Gerber
A modification of the Gerber convention whereby trump honors may be also counted as Aces or Key Cards.
Key Lime Precision
These web pages present a modified version of the Precision Forcing 1 Club bidding system. In addition to earlier versions new features such as more transfer overcalls, fragment bidding, and a new proposed run-out scheme over the micro No Trump opening have been implemented. The author is unknown at this time, but the goals of the author have been stated as being:
1. To enable players to accurate bid their games and slams.
2. To give players in my grouping the tools needed to compete and be successful against more experienced opponents.
3. To give intermediate players the tools needed to make Life Master, and to give seasoned players a system that would allow them to compete at higher levels without being at a disadvantage.
4. To have a method that would consistently incorporate new bidding methods and become the pinnacle of all bridge systems in terms of bidding, defense, and play.These web pages have only been preserved and archived on this site in .pdf file format and are listed in Chapters, which follow. This version of the bidding system or Notes is designated as Version 13 with the promise of a forthcoming Version 14.
Keystone Conference Regional Championships
This was a bridge tournament contested over four days. The tournment was conducted annually in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and also in later years in Pennsylvania, United States, beginning in the year 1952. This event consisted of Open Pairs, Master Pairs, Open Pairs, Men's Pairs, Women's Pairs, and Mixed Pairs.
Keystone Fall - District 4 Regional Championships
See District 4 Regional Championships. This bridge tournment was contested over four days. The tournament was conducted annually in Pennsylvania, United States, beginning in the year 1961. This tournament was conducted between the years 1961 and the year 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and in the year 1965 the tournament was conducted in Wilmington, Delaware, United States.
Khedive
An early name for the game of bridge as played on the French Riviera. This term lends support to those who believe that the game of bridge has its origins in Turkey.
Kibitzer - Kibbitzer
A person who watches the play or game at bridge tables from the sidelines. Law 76 of the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge governs the conduct of such spectators, which is presented below.
The word itself derives from Yiddish and is spelled kibitsen and also from German and is spelled kiebitzen. The general English definition is: To look on and offer unwanted, usually meddlesome advice to others. To chat and/or converse. This is the reason that the conduct of the spectator, the on-looker, the gawker, the viewer, the watcher had to be governed by the Laws. For example: Kibitzer Chair.
LAW 76 - SPECTATORS
A. Conduct during Bidding or Play
1. One Hand Only
A spectator should not look at the hand of more than one player, except by permission.
2. Personal Reaction
A spectator must not display any reaction to the bidding or play while a deal is in progress.
3. Mannerisms or Remarks
During the round, a spectator must refrain from mannerisms or remarks of any kind (including conversation with a player).
4. Consideration for Players
A spectator must not in any way disturb a player.
B. Spectator Participation
A spectator may not call attention to any irregularity or mistake, nor speak on any question of fact or law except by request of the Director.
Note: The Kibitzer was, at one time, considered an important party to the bid and play of the hand. They were sometimes welcomed and sometimes the side chairs were removed so that they were unable to seat themselves and/or to make themselves comfortable. Either tradition or the honor of the players dictated that the death of a dear and beloved Kitbitzer was duly noted and three dollars were sent to purchase flowers for his or her memorial and/or funeral. However, this tradtion changed over time and 'under today's rules, the death of a kibitzer calls for the cessation of play for a full ten seonds, and the next four hands are automatically doubled. Source: The Bridge Player's Bedside Companion by Mr. Albert A. Ostrow, page 104 in some publications. This particular tradition has not been practiced for many years.
Kick
Slang: double;
Slang: ruff;
Slang: blunder away.
Kickback - A method of asking for Keycards when seeking slam. The origin of this concept is by Mr. Jeff Rubens of Scarsdale, New York. The concept is also a result of an application called U.S.P., or Useful Space Principle, also 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.
Kick It
Slang: a term for "I double". Also a colloquialism for boosting the contract as a preemptive measure.
Kill
1. Slang: to make a hand, such as dummy, unusable through lack of an entry;
2. Slang: to overtake, in order to prevent from winning the trick;
3. Slang: to defeat, generally the contract.
Killed
1. Slang: captured as in the King was killed by the Ace;
2. Slang: the fate of the pair playing well but scoring badly;
3. Slang: becoming void of whatever entries any player may have had, such as "The Spade lead killed the dummy."
King
The second highest ranking card in any suit.
King Conventional Method
This is a variation of the 4 No Trump Convention, which is an opening bid showing a balanced hand which can guarantee ten tricks, and the 5 No Trump Convention, which is an opening bid showing a balanced hand which can guarantee eleven tricks. The partner is invited to raise the bidding one level for each Ace, King, or Queen he holds. Employing the King Conventional Method, the responder, holding two Aces and one King, may sometimes bid the suit in which the King is held.
King of Bridge - Queen of Bridge Scholarship
This is an honorary title accompanied by an award of $1000 presented annually to a graduating high school senior, who is also a Junior ACBL member for outstanding tournament performance plus administrative, recreational and promotional activities related to bridge. The title originally went to the high school senior with the most masterpoints. Established 1973 the award is presented by the ACBL Educational Foundation, which administers the International Palace of Sports Foundation, and includes the $1000 Homer Shoop and International Palace of Sports Scholarship.
King Relay Blackwood - The origin of this variation is unknown. This variation of the original concept of Blackwood pertains only to the method for asking for Kings once the trump suit has been either established or definitely implied. This is accomplished via a Relay Bid.
Kiri Asking Bid
The origin of this designation is unknown. 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
. The opener, with this 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
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.
K.I.S.S.
An acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid. It calls for a low-level system with no conventions, and is also called Momma-Poppa.
Kiss Of Death
A penalty of minus 200 at matchpoints when the maximum possible contract is at the partscore level.
Kitty
Slang: a term used for the dummy.
KIVI Conventional Method to a No Trump Opening
The origin is unknown. This is a device for the responder to discover the precise point count of a 1 No Trump opening. The responder, with sufficient game values, bids 4 Diamonds. The opener rebids, showing his values, according to the following diagram. This device 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.
4 shows minimum values 4 shows moderate values 4 NT: shows maximum values
Kleinman Points
A summary, compiled by Mr. Jeff Goldsmith, of the point evaluation by bridge expert Mr. Danny Kleinman.
Knave
The Jack, or the fourth highest ranking card of any suit. The word itself become obsolete due to the use of abbreviated forms to designate the suits. Since the "K" stood for the King, "Kn" would have signified the Knave, but this proved too cumbersome.
Knock
1. an action consisting of knocking the table lightly instead of verbally saying pass, which represents an improper way of passing;
2. an informal method of Alerting, albeit ambiguous, since the next player could assume that it means the call pass.
Knockout Squeeze
A knockout squeeze is a squeeze in three suits, one of which is the trump suit.
Knockout Tournament
A bridge event, usually for teams of four, in which one team plays against just one opposing team in a given session. The losers are eliminated, and the winners remain in the contest playing against new opponents at later sessions, until only one winning team remains. In a Double Knockout Event, a team must lose twice before being eliminated.
Knockout Team Rules
Sponsoring organizations may, with ACBL approval only, amend these conditions for a specific event.
Kobayashi Maru - Between a Rock and a Hard Place - A No Win Situation
This is a colloquial designation for a bidding sequence, which demands action on the part of a particular player in rotation, from which no escape is possible and all possible actions will result in a measurable loss in score. The term Kobayashi Maru is well-known to any avid Star Trek fan. The link is to a .pdf file, which will be automatically opened by your browser.
Kock-Werner Redouble
A rescue method developed by the Swedish partnership of Mr. Rudolf Kock and Mr. Einar Werner. When partner’s low-level overcall has been doubled, a redouble is for takeout, and strongly indicates a shortness in the suit bid by his partner.
South West North East 1 1 Double Redouble With the Kock-Werner Redouble, East is indicating a shortness in Hearts, the suit of his partner. West must then look for another bid. If, however, East had been satisfied to play in 1 Heart doubled, East would have simply passed.
Kokish Rebids After Auction: 1 - Pass - 2
This particular auction has apparently caused some confusion in partnership agreements, which include different bidding systems such as Kaplan-Sheinwold and Standard American. The conditions of the situation became clear when the partnership is employing different ranges for No Trump openings. If the No Trump opening is strong, or 15/16-18 high card points, then, in the above bidding sequence, 2 is played as game forcing. This is not the case with other bidding systems since the 2 first response is allowed to be weaker in values and is considered not game forcing, and this is the problem, which Mr. Eric Kokish addressed. The guidelines, illustrated below, allows the partnership, by any range of No Trump, the opportunity to communicate the necessary information in order to establish the final contract by this specific bidding sequence. By giving the rebids of the opener specific definitions, the partner understands better the definition, shape, and values of the opener.
Opener Responder Meaning 1 2 2 Promises 5+ Diamonds and is forcing for one round; possible 4-card Major suit 2 Promises a distribution of 4-4-4-1 exactly 2 Promises a good raise in the Club suit; denies a 4-card Major suit 2 NT Promises a balanced distribution and 12+ to 15- points 3 Shows a weak Club raise and lack of any other rebid; denies a 4-card Major suit 3 Promises a 6-card Diamond suit and 16+ high card points 3 Splinter bid showing singleton/void in Hearts and good Club support 3 Splinter bid showing singleton/void in Spades and good Club support 3 NT Promises a balanced distribution and 18-19 high card points If the responder has the opportunity to make a low level rebid in a Major suit, then this strongly indicates a 4-card suit, or, by partnership agreement, a stopper for playing in a No Trump contract.
Kokish Relay
A rebid of 2 Hearts by the opener after a 2 Clubs opening bid, which is an artificial and strong bid, and after a 2 Diamonds response, which is an artificial and weak bid, or possibly just a weak bid, to show either 1. a balanced hand too strong for a 2 No Trump rebid, usually 25-26 points; or 2. long Hearts. After a 2 Spades relay rebid by the responder, the opener shows 1. with a third bid of 2 No Trump, or 2. with any other third bid. Devised by Mr. Eric Kokish.
Eric Kokish's Responses to a Strong, Artificial 2 Clubs Opening
Mr. Eric Kokish believes that most experts are correct in the opinion, that two-suited hands should not be opened with the artificial, strong 2 Clubs bid. Therefore, when the 2 Clubs opener shows a second suit, it is expected to be a 4-card suit. This stipulation affects some of the recommended sequences. In the discussion below, an Ace is two controls, and a King is 1 control.
Konstam and Tarlo - KAT
The development of this defense method is by Mr. Kenneth Konstam and Mr. Joel Tarlo. The designation was shortened to KAT. It is a concept whereby an immediate cuebid of the suit of the opening opponent is forcing for one round only and shows a good take out double. Neither the KAT-cuebidder nor the advancer may have passed previously.
Note: The 1st Bermuda Bowl was conducted in 1950 in Hamilton, Bermuda, with three teams competing for the first official World Team Championship. Source below is from the Five Aces Book.
Representing the American team were John Crawford, Charles Goren, Sidney Silodor, Howard Schenken, George Rapee and Sam Stayman. The team had no fixed partnerships. In general they used weak jump overcalls, weak two-bids and the Stayman convention. Practically no artificial bids were used.
Representing England were Maurice Harrison-Gray and Joel Tarlo, Leslie Dodds and Kenneth Konstam, Louis Tarlo and Nico Gardener. The pairs used different bidding systems, but the differences were not major.
Representing Europe were Einar Werner and Rudolf Kock, Nils-Olof Lilliehook and Jan Wohlin of Sweden, teamed with Einar Thorfinnsson and Gunnar Gudmundsson of Iceland. The differences in bidding practices were major here. Werner/Kock used their own version of Culbertson. Lilliehook/Wohlin used Efos, a new system replete with artificial bids. Thorfinnsson/Gudmundsson employed the Vienna System, with asking bids.
The United States, representing North America, emerged victorious, defeating Europe and England in the four-day round robin at the Castle Harbour Hotel, Bermuda, in November. The Americans defeated England by 3660 points (total point scoring) and Europe (Sweden and Iceland) by 4720. England, the European champions, finished second by toppling Europe by 1940 points.
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