“VISUAL BIDDER” FOR BRIDGE

Evening Star, Issue 23130, 2 December 1938, Page 10

“VISUAL BIDDER” FOR BRIDGE

ELIMINATION OF VOCAL TRICKS Bridge is promised a “ visual bidder ” •which, it is claimed, will put an end to the tricks of voice of unfair players. Mr Brayton A. Alderman, of Atlanta, U.S.A., has taken out a patent for a gadget consisting of a scale running from “ 1 Club ” (the lowest bid) to “ 7 No Trumps ” (the highest) and a pointer which the player shifts to the number of tricks with the trump suit ho wishes to designate, the ‘ News Chronicle ’ states. The inventor claims that use of the device will eliminate the risk (intentional or otherwise) of giving information to a partner by the inflection of the voice. Bridge players have known for 20 years of a bid called the “ informatory double.” They are familiar with the roared “Double!” which means “I have this contract beaten a mile,” and the wavering “ D-o-u-b-l-e,” meaning “ I’m not at all sure I can defeat this contract.” Similarly there is the “ informatory ” pass, “ I haven’t a thing in my hand,” and its fellow the “ superinformatory ” pass, implying one has almost a bid, but not quite. Will the “visual bidder” banish these tricks from the card room? • “ I think ” (writes a bridge expert) “ Mr Alderman underrates the ingenuity of unscrupulous card players. One can hesitate with the hand as much as with the voice. One can allow the finger to linger over a club contract to indicate undeclared strength in clubs before turning it finally to a heart bid.” The “ visual bidder ” is not new; it was used at an international contest to overcome language difficulties.