Control Bids (Cue Bids)

Control bids (also called cue bids or control-showing bids) are used in slam auctions to show aces and kings without using Blackwood. They help determine if you have the right controls for slam.

What Are Controls?

Control Points Meaning

Ace 2 First-round control (they can’t cash that suit)

King 1 Second-round control (they can cash one, then you win)

Void 2 First-round control (ruff the lead)

Singleton 1 Second-round control (ruff the second round)

When to Use Control Bids

After trump is agreed and the partnership has enough strength for slam investigation:

1♠ - 3♠ (limit raise) 4♣ (control bid — club control, slam interest)

The 4♣ bid shows: – Club ace or king (or shortness) – Interest in slam – Denies a diamond control (bypassed diamonds)

Bidding Up the Line

Control bids are made “up the line”, show the cheapest control first.

1♠ - 3♠ 4♣ - 4♦ (I have diamond control too) 4♥ - 4NT (heart control, now Blackwood)

Bypassing a suit denies control there. In the above auction, 4♣ denied diamond control (or opener would bid 4♦ first).

First vs Second Round

Some partnerships distinguish: – First control bid = ace or void – Second control bid in same suit = king or singleton

1♠ - 3♠ 4♦ - 4♥ 4♠ - 5♦ (second control bid = diamond king)

When NOT to Use Control Bids

Use Blackwood instead when: – You just need to count aces – All suits are controlled – You have a source of tricks

Use control bids when: – You need to know about specific controls – You might have two quick losers in one suit – The auction is complex

Example

You hold: ♠AKQ74 ♥A3 ♦K8742 ♣5

1♠ - 3♠ (limit raise) ?

You have 17 HCP and a singleton club. Slam is possible, but you need to know about the ♣A. If partner has ♣Axx, great. If partner has ♣Qxx, you have two club losers.

Bid 4♦ (control bid, showing diamond control, denying club control). If partner bids 4♥ (heart control) but can’t bid 5♣, sign off.

Italian Cue Bids

In Italian style, the first cue bid can be ANY control (ace, king, singleton, or void). This allows finding controls faster but requires more trust.

Control Bids