By Peter Rhead
Lead-Directing Double
First of all, let me wish all my readers Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thank those of you whom I met at Bridge games or in town for your words of encouragement.
Today, I am sure that some of you must be cursing me for thinking you will ever use all the conventions I am giving you, and telling you they are worth learning. Well that is okay, but let me explain that I never expected you to use any of them without the following criteria which I failed to give you. You must play with one or more regular partners who are in agreement with you. You will never use all of these conventions; you use only the ones that you find beneficial to your bidding system. You will adapt some of these conventions because they resolve a bidding problem you and your partner might have. Some conventions conflict with others so you have to pick and chose. You use only the conventions that you feel come up often enough in your bidding system to make using them worthwhile either in your offense or defense.
However, that being said, these conventions are still worth learning so that you understand what the opponents are doing when they use one of them. Therefore, let us continue!
For the last two weeks we looked at the two-suited Overcalls called Michaels Cuebid and the Unusual Two No-Trump. These Overcalls are made when you have two suits and want to compete in the auction. This week we look at the “Lead-Directing Double”. This is another type of Overcall that tells partner what is a good lead to your hand when he gets on lead.
The Lead-Directing Double is the next bid immediately after the opponent bids an artificial suit. You have good values in that suit, perhaps the Ace-King. The opponent’s artificial bid might be an opening of One Club or One Diamond. It might also be a Transfer/Stayman bid after a No-Trump opening. The opponent’s artificial bid also could be a Cuebid or the response to Blackwood or Four Clubs showing Aces. You know that the opponents are unlikely to want to play in that artificial suit when you have shown good value in that suit. Therefore, you are fairly safe to Double for Lead Direction. The opponents almost always will bid again over your Double.
You use this Overcall bid for only one reason: to give lead direction to your partner. You must have an agreement with your partner that the Double of an artificial bid is for lead direction and not for take-out. The Lead-Directing Double is made only immediately after the opponent’s artificial bid.
For more information, read “Lead-Directing Doubles” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, page 185.
Next Week: Negative Doubles.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
AT THE SUMMIT CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING, THURSDAYS 7PM
In the multi-purpose room 2nd floor (elevator) (back entrance of Summit Centre)
Just come – with or without a partner. Please arrive 10 minutes before game time. For information, contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].
This game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person. Parking is outside the North Entrance opposite Heritage Village Railway Station.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club for the Winter are Monday afternoon 1pm at the Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time.
For information, contact Andree or Scott 705-764-3827 [email protected]
Note: There will be no game Dec. 23 but there is a game Dec. 30.
Results for Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 1. Susan & Ted Daglish 4530 points; 2. Els Vandenberg & Peter Rhead 3540 points; 3. Karen Atkin and Mary Jane Rogers 2410 points
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are Tuesday 7pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partnerships and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019 with 7 pairs playing a Howell Movement 1. Joanne Garvey and Barb Green; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 4. Helen Pearson and Jim Smith
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive with your partner 10 minutes before game time. For information contact Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
Note: There are no games Dec. 23 and Dec. 30
The following winners are from Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Joanne Garvey and Jim Smith; 3. Lyn Walisser and Don Evans; 4. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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