How Many Conventions Do You Need?

You may have been following the recent discussions on conventions on BridgeBase.com between bridge authors Larry Cohen and Barbara Seagram.

Larry suggests there are only four conventions that you need to know: Blackwood, Jacoby transfers, Stayman and Negative Doubles. We'd probably add a few more, but we agree with the proverbial saying that "the road to hell is paved with good conventions."

We like his summary: "Avoiding dumb mistakes is the key to success. Conventions introduce the chance to really screw up the bidding."

Congratulations to Ron Bloom, Stephanie Campbell, Allen Jones and David Trebing for their recent bridge wins.

--Chuck Abramo and Jo Murray

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• The Differences in Leading Against Suit Contracts and Notrump Contracts - Nov. 21
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Stephanie

Campbell

Allen Jones (left)

& Ron Bloom

David

Trebing

Congratulati0ns to SV Bridge Students

Stephanie Campbell (BBO: LASoup) became a sectional master after placing second in the Denver sectional tournament. Ron Bloom (BBO: Jefegrande) and Allen Jones (BBO: Criccieth) placed first in an online tournament for players with fewer than 500 masterpionts. David Trebing (BBO: Millreefer) placed first in a game at the Metropolitan Club in Washington, D.C.

How Would You Bid This Hand?

Here's a hand from a recent game where all the E-W pairs missed the best contract.

S     W    N   E

1 C    P    P ?

East must double to show a strong hand. Remember that an overcall limits your hand to 7-17 points.When you double, partner makes a minimum response and you bid again, you are showing 18+ points.

East has 19 HCP. After East doubles, West will bid 1 spade. When East raises to 2 spades, West will know that East has 18+ HCP and West will bid game in spades.

Here's a Link to Larry Cohen Article

Larry Cohen's entire article on conventions is well worth reading. Here's another quote we like: "How often have you had a 40% game and attributed it to the fact that you didn't know enough conventions?"