I found it disturbing that there was no consensus on the steps for responding to Exclusion Blackwood. Eddie Kantar, the universally recognized authority on these matters, says that a jump to 4Spade Graphic, beyond game, is EKB. Eddie says (on p. 46 of his excellent book, Roman Keycard Blackwood) that the steps are 0, 1, 2 outside of the void suit. In the unlikely event that one needs to inquire about the trump queen, it is the next step. Responder either signs off or bids the grand.

Our partnerships shall henceforth play Eddie’s method. Those who have not done so should buy the book!

Meanwhile, the question remains whether one should use EKB on this hand. Ralph Katz points out that one should plan to play in diamonds (as in fact I did) and that hearts might be pitched on enough black winners, making the Heart Graphic Q irrelevant.

I tried to take over the auction with a Jacoby raise, initiating cue-bidding. I lost control of proceedings when partner (holding KQx of spades) took over with Blackwood. Even though I showed a void, we did not reach the grand. Steve Beatty also tried to get to cue-bidding by making a splinter over the opening 1Heart Graphic call. It is a tough hand. The grand is excellent in two different suits, but not reached at either table. It is nice to get lesson hands like this in events that you win anyway.