BRIDGE NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 8

BRIDGE NOTES.

HELP FOR PLAYERS AND BEGINNERS. (s.*Ecuu.y vrjimiir roa ran ritxss.) (By William Shackle.) The second occasion oil wliich one makes an "informative" double is after one's partner has bid "one no trump," and ouo'b opponents have overbid with two of any suit. The general practice seems to bo that if ©no holds good cards in the suit thus bid one raises one's partner. This, however, is really very elementary, as it does not give the team any opportunity of making a big score above the ling, which can so often be done if the hand is played in the opponents' bid. Instead cf raising your partner to "two no trumps," say "double two spades" (or whichever the suit bid) if you hold one sure and olio probable trick in that suit. This Kives just the same information to your partner, but the choice of either a big double, or going game, rests with him. fie can still bid "two no trumps" if lie so desires, but ho now knows that "A" has at least iive cards of the suit bid, and that his partner has at least two honours in that suit. Surely he is in a wonderful position to choose his bid with a view to the greatest possiblo score obtainable. It is truly surprising the number of times one scores as many as 400 points in this manner, as often two is bid over no trumps, in the hope that the no trump is weak, and that one's partner can help. "At the same time feeling confident that if this is not so, their opponents will go to two no trumps. This double especially disconcerts tho very "clever" player, who bids a suit in which ho has little, with a view to putting his opponents up. The double thus completely turns the tables on him,, as it forces him to bid out of his depth, instead of his opponents doing 60.

For Beginners. The first one to bid is the only one who can Bend u definite message to his partner by a bid. He is not in any way affected by any other bid, so is completely his own master. For this reason always be perfectly honest in your initial bid. Tell your partner what you have actually got in your hand —do not leave him to guess; get him to know that when you make a bid he can rely upon your having certain specific cards. It is better to call a major suit than either no trumps or a minor suit. It is better to bid a minor suit, with two quick tricks, than a no trump, as your partner's long suit will only make as trumps whilo your two quick tricks will mako anyway. To bid one of a major suit, as an initial bidder, one needs: —5 cards in the trump suit plus an outside ace or kingqueen suit. The 5 cards must be at least oither (a) ace, another honour xxx or (b) king—2 other honours xx. With six. cards the same honours plus tho outside trick. With 7 cards either the small honour or the outside trick may be dispensed with. Eemember never to bid one of a major suit without cither the aco or tbe klng of the sutt bid. Questions relative to bridge are always welcome, and if a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed, a reply will be sent by post. Address c/o. Tho Press Office.