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Gerber - A slam convention using the bid of 4 Clubs to ask partner to disclose the Aces held. Also see Super Gerber, which requires a Club jump to initiate Gerber. The most common usage of Gerber to investigate Ace "controls" is when the partnership has not found a suit fit and have bid Notrump.
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.
Asking for Partners Aces – Gerber. After you have discovered that your partnership has at least 33 combined points and the suit or lack of suit fit the Gerber is a bidding convention designed to describe the Aces held in partners hand to decide whether a grand slam or a small slam can be achieved.
Gerber, bidding 4♣, is used directly after a NT bid by your partner to ask how many Aces she holds. A follow up bid of 5 NT (for 1 & 2) or 5♣ (for 3) can be used to ask for more information about Kings, but you would only do this if considering a Grand Slam (winning all 13 tricks)
Gerber. An alternative to 4NT (Blackwood) bid of 4♣ to ask for aces. Responses are. 4♦ shows zero (or all four) aces. 4♥ shows one ace. 4♠ shows two aces. 4NT shows three aces. If you then wish to ask about kings, bid 5♣ and partner responds.
A bid of 4C after partner's 1NT, 2NT, or 3NT bid is 'Gerber, asking for aces'. It is an artificial bid, not a true club bid. Partner's response is a 'coded' message:
Remember you should not use Blackwood or Gerber to ask partner for Aces if you have a void. But if partner uses Blackwood and you have a void, there is a simple way to show it IF you have one or two Aces AND there is an agreed trump suit.
