Bidding Conventions >

Gerber


The Gerber convention is a 4 response to a no-trumps 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, inviting partner to bid 6NT.


Responses to 4

  • 4 Shows 0 or 4 aces.
  • 4 Shows 1 ace.
  • 4 Shows 2 aces.
  • 4NT Shows 3 aces.

After hearing partner's response, the Gerber bidder can bid 5 to ask for kings.


Responses to 5

  • 5 Shows 0 or 4 kings.
  • 5 Shows 1 king.
  • 5 Shows 2 kings.
  • 5NT Shows 3 kings.


Gerber Auctions

  • A direct 4 response to any no-trumps bid (or overcall) is Gerber.
  • A jump rebid of 4 in response to a natural no-trump bid is Gerber.


Partner   You
1NT (15-17)    4

K53
A2
K3
KQJT73

Adding partner's 15-17 HCP to his own 17 HCP, responder knows that his side has 32-34 HCP. A small slam in no-trumps is possible, but the Gerber 4 bid can check if partner holds at least 2 aces.


Partner   You
2NT (20-21)   4

K3
KQJT98
KT
Q43

Responder is interested in 6 but doesn't want to bid it missing 2 aces. If partner shows all 4 aces, responder can bid 5 to ask for the club king, which would make 7 cold.


Partner   You
3NT (25-27)   4

T9
T98
5
AKJ9832

Responder is interested in a club slam.


Partner   You
1NT (15-17)    21
22 4

1 Stayman, asking for a 4-card majorl.
2 Shows 4 hearts.

KJ32
KQJ2
AJ82
3

Gerber can also be used as a jump rebid after a Stayman sequence. Here, responder is interested in 6 but is missing 3 aces.


Partner   You
21 22
2NT (22-24)   4

1 Strong, artificial.
2 Waiting.

If a trump suit hasn't been identified yet, then 4 is Gerber after any natural no-trumps rebid.


Partner   You
2NT 31
3 4

1 Stayman.
2 Denies a 4-card major.

KJ32
KT92
void
AT983

4 is NOT Gerber. It is natural because it was not a jump.


Other Considerations

  • Gerber requires a lot partnership discussion. It can get misidentified as a splinter bid (showing a club singleton/void), or as club support if partner bid clubs earlier.
  • Gerber should not be used with a void.


Origins

Gerber was invented by American expert John Gerber.