BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

IN THE good old days when bidding was truly natural, a double of the opponents after partner had opened had only one meaning: penalties.

But today in the serious tournament world, the penalty double as we knew it has virtually disappeared. Now you have to wait for partner to double competitively in the ‘under’ position, then convert it to penalties by passing.

A bit topsy-turvy you may say, but it’s pleasing to know that virtually all the reputable rubber bridge clubs in Britain still retain a strict code of natural bidding — some even banning such commonplace conventions as Stayman.

Long may that remain so, for the true skills of bridge are in card play, judgment, psychology and flair. All players ought to try to hone these, before moving into the murky world of conventional bidding.

The changed use of the double has had more influence on bidding methods in recent years than any other call or convention. Interestingly, the ‘negative’ double was available in the days when Acol was pioneered; however, such experts as Marx, MacLeod, Simon, Harrison Gray, Reese etc. didn’t consider it a significant feature for inclusion in the Acol bidding methods. So introducing this ‘new’ norm into the tournament game is certainly the turning point at which the system ceased to be pure Acol. There are now at least nine different conventional doubles in regular tournament use. The latest addition is the Support Double, which I think is the most controversial of all. I’ll explain its sole purpose tomorrow, so you can decide whether it’ll enhance your bidding methods, or merely add to the confusion.