An advance save is simply a bid made by the opponents to disturb the line of communication between their opponents before their opponents are able to reach their optimum final contract. The advance save bid is a sacrifice, and all four players at the table realize that the weaker opponents bidding the advance save will never make their contract.

However, all four players at the table realize that the score for the advance save bid may result, even doubled and vulnerable, in a positive score. In order to observe this in action, take a look at a deal played at the 1980 US International Team Trials, which should illustrate the workings of the advance save.

	AK542 A106 9 AKJ6
6 94 Q107542 Q1072		J987 53 AJ86 985
	Q103 KQJ872 K3 43

West		North		East		South
		1		Pass		2
Pass		4 *		Double **		4 NT ***
7 ****		7		All Pass

*	signifies a Heart fit and shortness in Diamonds
**	signifies a lead directing double
***	Blackwood convention
****	Advance Save

Although South knew that a slam in Hearts was possible, South had to guess when bidding 7 Hearts. The advance save of West, if allowed to play doubled and vulnerable, would have resulted in a positive score, compared to the other tables which may have reached a 6 Hearts final contract for North/South.

This concept of advance save must be justifiable for the opponents when bidding. The elements of vulnerability and the number of undertricks must be taken into calculation before the bid is made. It must also be a certainty that the opponents have positive and definite slam possibilities before enacting an advance save. Otherwise the score may reflect a negative result.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.