Gerber : Bridge Online

The Gerber convention is used after 1NT, 2NT or 3NT.

Please don't use it all the time, as it can lead to confusion if you want to bid 4♣ naturally. Gerber is best used directly over a notrump bid. A direct bid of 4♣ over 1NT or 2NT asks partner how many aces she has.

	♠ K98
	♥ A52
	♦ K85
	♣ QT98

	North	East	South	West
	2NT	P	?

This is a good hand opposite 20-22 hcp. Let's do the arithmetic. Our combined values are 32-34 hcp. If we only have 32 hcp, we could be missing 2 aces.

	North	East	South	West
	2NT	P	4♣

Start from the lowest response, which denies holding an ace. It can also promise all 4 aces, although it is unusual, and often unadvisable, to ask for aces without having one yourself.

Responses:
4♦ = 0 ace or 4 aces
4♥ = 1 ace
4♠ = 2 aces
4NT = 3 aces

Usually you will now be in a position to decide whether or not to bid slam. If you don't have enough aces to bid slam, you can stop in 4NT. This is a natural bid.

North	East	South	West
2NT	P	4♣	P
4♠	P	6NT

Partner has shown 2 aces, so that is enough for me to bid slam.

North	East	South	West
2NT	P	4♣	P
4♥	P	4NT

This time partner has shown only 1 ace, so I will stop in 4NT.

Asking for Kings - 5♣.

You should only ask for kings if you are interested in bidding a grand slam, where you need all 13 tricks. You don't normally need all the aces and kings to bid a small slam.

The responses are the same over 5♣ as they are over 4♣.
5♦ = 0 king or 4 kings
5♥ = 1 king
5♠ = 2 kings
5NT = 3 kings

	♠ K9
	♥ A5
	♦ A8
	♣ QJT9872

North	East	South	West
2NT	P	4♣	P
4♠	P	5♣	P
5NT	P	7NT

Partner has 20-22 HCP, so I check for aces and find 2. Now I am interested in a grand slam if partner has all the kings. When she shows 3 kings, I can count 13 tricks with my long club suit. I will bid the grand slam which is worth 2220 if I am vulnerable.

Good luck with your slam bidding and remember that Gerber's usefulness lies in stopping you from bidding a NOTRUMP slam missing 2 aces.

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