The standard methods of bidding slam controls is for a player always to show a first-round control (ace or void) first. Only after one lap of the suits has been completed can a second-round control (king or singleton) be shown.
Italian Cue Bids are an approach to the bidding of slam controls that treats first and second round controls equally. If a player fails to show a control (by bypassing a suit) that means that he has neither a first-round nor a second-round control in that suit.
The advantage of Italian Cue Bids is that an uncontrolled suit is found very quickly and the bidding can stop at the four-level. Just as importantly, if there is no suit uncontrolled, this is discovered prior to 4NT being passed. Now Roman Key-Card Blackwood can be used to check that there is not more than one key card missing.
The disadvantage is that the cue-bidder's partner cannot be sure whether first or second round control is held. This disadvantage can be overcome in most auctions that continue with cue bidding (rather than RKCB) by a player bidding the suit a second time to confirm first-round control (though it doesn't promise ace and king, as two standard cue bids would).
The Italian Cue Bidding style is recommended for use by those pairs who use Roman Key-Card Blackwood. The two conventions fit together very well and make slam bidding very easy.
Even better is the ability to stay at the four-level when an uncontrolled suit is discovered.
Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club