When to Control Bid and Setting the Suit

Ideally be in a Game Force situation, before you start Control Bidding.

Set the Suit before you start Control Bidding.

A first Control Bid is usually in a suit that has not yet been bid by either partner.

Control Bidding is usually used after 3 level agreement. 1H - 2D -3D (sets the suit as diamonds).

A transfer doesn’t set the suit.

Don’t show a Control in the trump suit. Bidding the trump suit shows no further Control bids.

1st Round Control - Ace or void

2nd Round Control - K x or singleton

1NT - 2D (transfer to H) - 2H - 3C (gf) - 3H (sets the suit H) - 3S (1st/2nd round Control of Spades)

1H - 4C (splinter - sets the suit H)

1H - 3H (sets the suit H)

1S - 2H (gf) - 3S (solid 6 card Spade Suit - sets the Suit S) - 4D (Diamond Control)

The suit should be the lowest in which the bidder has control. This allows partner to bid a suit at the next lowest level in which she has control i.e. bidding ‘up the line’.

1S - 3S - 4C (control in clubs) - 4D (control in diamonds)

Missing a suit up the line denies control in the missing suit.

1S - 3S - 4D (shows control in diamonds but not in clubs)

1S - 3S - 4C - 4H  (shows control of hearts but not diamonds) 

Where a suit is bid before a suit is agreed that suit becomes a cue bid after the suit is agreed.

1D - 1S - 3S - 4C - 4D - (4D now a cue bid)

With this information a decision on the contract can be made without undue risk.

Cue bidding should not be used over an opening bid of 1NT or 2NT - Gerber or Quantative are Better.