The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown. Many bridge partnership agreements include the agreement that the defense method is only applicable when the No Trump range is 11 to 14 high card points. The frequency of being doubled when using this No Trump range is higher than when the No Trump range requires more high card points.

Knowing the weak range of the No Trump bid, the opponents will generally enter the auction by means of a double. It becomes important that the responder of the No Trump bidder knows how to counteract against a competitive bid and/or call by the immediate defender.

Definition of the Concept

The Brozel Rescue Bids are therefore a defense method against a defense method of the opponents, which includes the feature of the double to communicate certain information.

As soon as the Brozel conventional defense method became popular with the bridge community, the bridge community also devised a defense method against this defense method. Therefore, the Brozel Rescue Bids are not a competitive entry into the bidding auction, but rather is reserved for the partner of the No Trump bidder to communicate information to partner, that he wishes to continue to compete and has sufficient values to do so, either points or distributional strength.

Even if the responder holds insufficient values to enter the bidding, but has a favorable suit distribution, then the Brozel Rescue Bids are a good alternative in exchanging information. The advantage to these different methods of defense is the fact that the meaning of the double by the opponent becomes relegated to being unimportant. Whatever the reason behind the double by the opponent, this reason is not necessary information for the partnership bidding the weak No Trump range. The escape bids are meant to do exactly that, escape the double.

These escape or rescue bids have been developed over time by partnerships and should be viewed as alternative defense mechanisms, not as guidelines etched in stone. The individual partnership may change or alter the suggestions below, although the three methods illustrated below are perhaps the more popular methods. The concept is to simply escape the double in the best possible way, otherwise a larger than normal negative score would / could be the result.

The perhaps more favorite suggestion for the defense mechanism is as follows, and shows only the possible calls and bids of the responder after a double by the immediate opponent.

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Meaning
1 NT		Double		Pass		To play.
				Redouble		Shows a one-suited holding. This is a Relay to 2 to be corrected if one-suited in another rank.
				2		Shows Clubs and Hearts.
				2		Shows Diamonds and Hearts.
				2		A natural bid with sufficient values in Hearts.
				3		Shows both Major suits.
				2		A natural bid with sufficient values in Spades.
				3		Shows Spades and an unknown Minor suit.
				2 NT		Shows both Minor suits.

There are other, individual methods for the opener and responder to defend, and such variations differ according to the partnership agreement. A second popular defense mechanism is illustrated below, and shows only the possible calls and bids of the responder after a double by the immediate opponent.

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Meaning
1 NT		Double		Redouble		One-suited holding; opener should respond with 2. The opener may pass with good Clubs or correct to a better suit.
				2		Shows Clubs and a second unspecified suit.
				2		Shows Diamonds and an unspecified Major suit.
				2		Shows both Major suits.
				2		Shows only the Spade suit.

Responding After Double Option

Another possible defense mechanism, and also per partnership agreement, is to have the call and/or bid more defined. An alternative, possible, popular defense mechanism is shown below and concentrates on the bidding following a double by the immediate opponent.

Opener		Opponent		Responder		Meaning
1 NT		Double		Pass		Forces the opener to redouble. The reasoning is to play 1 No Trump redoubled or the responder has a one-suited holding and will correct.
				Redouble		This shows a two-suited holding without, or shortage in, Hearts. Shows either: Clubs and Diamonds, Clubs and Spades, Diamonds and Spades.
				2		Shows Clubs and Hearts.
				2		Shows Diamonds and Hearts.
				2		Shows both Spades and Hearts.
				2		Shows only the Spade suit.

 

 

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.