The Gerber convention is a 4♣ response to a no-trump bid. Like Blackwood, it is a slam investigation bid that asks partner how many aces he holds. The difference from Blackwood is that Gerber is only used for no-trumps. This is because 1NT - 4NT is natural, quantative, inviting partner to bid 6NT if they are maximum. What if your partner opens 1NT (12 -14 HCP) and you have 18 HCP? Do you bid 3NT missing a possible slam or invite partner to bid 6NT knowing you could be 2 aces short? Why not use Gerber?
When does Gerber apply? Here are some suggested rules:
• An immediate 4♣ response to any opening no-trumps (1NT or 2NT) bid (or 1NT overcall) is Gerber.
• Also played after the following sequences 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT - 4♣(Gerber) (This sequence is used to show a stronger balanced hand in Benji, Reverse Benji and 3 weak two’s), 2♦ - 2♥ - 2NT - 4♣(Gerber) (This sequence is also used to show a stronger balanced hand in Benji and Reverse Benji)
This is a very simple use of Gerber but everyone seems to play this differently so do check that you and your partner are playing it the same way, some people play a very complicated version.
Responses to 4♣
| Response |
Meaning |
| 4♦ |
Shows 0 or 4 Aces |
| 4♥ |
Shows 1 Ace |
| 4♠ |
Shows 2Aces |
| 4NT |
Shows 3 Aces |
If you get a favorable response from partner you can now use 5♣ to ask for kings
| Response |
Meaning |
| 5♦ |
Shows 0 or 4 Kings |
| 5♥ |
Shows 1 King |
| 5♠ |
Shows 2 Kings |
| 5NT |
Shows 3 Kings |
Examples
| Hand 1 Partner opens 1NT (12 - 14) |
Hand 2 Partner opens 2NT (20 -21) |
| ♠ K 5 3 |
♠ K 3 |
| ♥ A K |
♥ K Q J T 9 8 |
| ♦ K J |
♦ K T |
| ♣ K Q J T 7 3 |
♣ Q 4 3 |
Hand 1 - You hold 20 points and opposite your partners known 12 - 14 points you have between 32 - 34 points do you bid 4NT asking partner to bid 6NT if maximum or make a choice if holding 13 points between passing and bidding 6NT, with 12 points partner will pass when a slam could be cold. Using Gerber you can check that partner holds two aces. You have all the kings so slam is probably holding 3 aces between you and holding all the aces guaranteed.
Hand 2 - Partner opens 2NT (20-21). Responder is going to bid 6NT but doesn't want to bid it if 7NT is possible. If partner shows all 4 aces, responder can can bid 5♣ to ask for the club king, which would make 7NT cold and can always sign off in 6NT if an ace or ♣ K is missing or take a chance on 7NT if just the K♣ is missing at the worst it's a 50/50 chance
This is a very straight forward way of making use of the Gerber convention and there is very little room for confusion. It may just get you into a good slam or keep you out of a bad one.
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