KIVI Convention - Tarp 4 Diamonds

This conventional method was originated by Mr. Kaj Tarp, (also written Kai), of Denmark. This conventional method is also known under the designation of Tarp 4 Diamonds, (also Tarp's 4 Diamonds), after the name of the person, who devised it. This method was published in the Dansk Bridge magazine, (The Danish Bridge magazine) in the year 1958, written by the author.

Note: The information on this web page has been contributed and confirmed by Kirsten Steen Moller and Mr. Roland Wald, both of Denmark.

The method is a means for the responder to discover the precise point count of a 1 No Trump opening by partner. The responder, with sufficient game values, bids 4 Diamonds. The opener rebids, showing his values, according to the following diagram.

4 :	Shows minimum values
4 :	Shows moderate values
4 NT:	Shows maximum values

Example 1

Opener AQ9 KJ75 K43 Q92

Responder AQ9 KJ75 K43 Q92

Auction - no competition

Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Responder shows sufficient game values.
4				Opener shows minimum values.

Example 2

Opener AQ9 KQ75 K43 Q92

Responder K76 A94 QJ86 KJ10

Auction - no competition

Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Responder shows sufficient game values.
4				Opener shows moderate values.

Example 3

Opener AQ9 KQ75 A43 Q92

Responder K76 A94 QJ86 KJ10

Auction - no competition

Opener		Responder		Meaning
1 NT				Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
		4		Responder shows sufficient game values.
4 NT				Opener shows maximum values.

This device can also be employed, by partnership agreement, in similar bidding sequences when a jump to 4 Diamonds follows a No Trump bid, although the opening was not originally a No Trump opening.

Example 1

East		South		West		North		Meaning
1								Defined as a non-artificial opening bid.
		1 NT						Range is determined by partnership agreement. Example shows a 15-17 range.
				Pass				The partner of the opener shows insufficient values to compete.
						4		Responder shows sufficient game values.
Pass								The opener is unable to compete on the four level.
		4//NT						Opener shows the values according to the Kivi (Tarp 4 Diamonds) conventional method.

 

Historical Note

Although this conventional method devised by Mr. Kaj Tarp is hardly known outside of his country of Denmark, his method was incorporated into the Bulldog Bidding System devised by Mr. William J. Hanna of Bethesda, Maryland, United States and Mr. Douglas Steen of Los Angeles, California, United States. These two bridge theorists and authors had their bidding system or conventional method listed in the publication The Bridge Player's Bedside Companion, authored by Mr. Albert A. Ostrow, published 1955.

However, in later, revised publications, following the publication in the Dansk Bridge magazine in 1958 of Mr. Kaj Tarp, both Mr. William J. Hanna and Mr. Douglas Steen included and incorporated the concept of Mr. Kaj Tarp from Denmark following a No Trump opening or overcall into their bidding system. The newly revised version was also designated once again according to the first two names of the authors Bill (William) and Doug (Douglas) with the replacement of the i and the ommitance of the u in both given names.

It is with this web page that we would like to provide and present credit to Mr. Kaj Tarp of Denmark for his concept and to recognize his efforts, although the concept has been replaced by other, perhaps more inclusive methods.

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