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Blackwood convention
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Blackwood convention

bridge
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The Blackwood convention is a bidding method used in contract bridge to explore the possibility of making a slam. Devised by Easley Blackwood in 1934, this convention helps determine the number of aces held by a partner.12

When a partnership believes they have enough combined points and a suitable trump suit for a slam, they use control-showing bids. The Blackwood convention specifically uses a bid of four no-trump as an inquiry about aces. The partner's response indicates the number of aces they hold:2
* Five clubs: Zero or four aces
* Five diamonds: One ace
* Five hearts: Two aces
* Five spades: Three aces

Following this, the four no-trump bidder can ask about kings by bidding five no-trump, with responses indicating the number of kings held.12

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