Cheaper Minor Over The Blacks

The origin of this competitive method is unknown. This particular competitive method in relation to other competitive methods is the fact that this method uses an overcall of 3 Diamonds after a preemptive opening bid on the three level of 3 Clubs for takeout. The second feature is that a 4 Clubs bid over a preemptive opening bid on the three level of 3 Clubs is for takeout.

Any double over a preemptive opening bid on the three level of 3 Clubs is for penalty. Any double following a preemptive opening bid of 3 Diamonds or 3 Hearts is considered a cooperative double.

Note: this particular competitive method can be altered by the individual partnership. One agreement is to reverse the meaning of the bid as opposed to the call of double. Also, whether or not an agreement extends also to the pass-out seat following two consecutive passes is an optional and individual partnership agreement.

As with any partnership agreement to employ a certain conventional method, then the parameters of that conventional method may be changed or reversed to accommodate and/or make the change more suitable to the individual partnership. This is accomplished, however, with the understanding that the basic parameters of the concept are not unrecognizably altered.

Example 1

East 97 54 K2 QJ98643		South AK104 KQ93 AQ76 2
East		South		Meaning
3				Preemptive opening bid on the three level.
		3		According to the parameters of the competitive method an overcall of 3 Diamonds is for takeout. This is the only preemptive opening bid, over which 3 Diamonds can be employed. Note: for the example above, competing with an overcall of 3 Diamonds is preferable to a double. (Note: some partnerships have limited the number of losing tricks to generally 4 losing tricks, but which can, under circumstances, be extended to 5 losing tricks depending on the shape of the holding and the held values.)
		Double		An immediate call of double is for penalty. The expectation is that, by any vulnerability, the defenders can achieve a better result than competing for the contract.

Example 2

East 97 54 K2 QJ98643		South AK104 KQ93 AQ76 2
East		South		Meaning
3				Preemptive opening bid on the three level.
		4		According to the parameters of the competitive method an overcall of 4 Clubs is for takeout. This particular cuebid guarantees a game contract. Continuations are according to the partnership agreement. (Note: some partnerships have limited the number of losing tricks to generally 4 losing tricks, but which can, under circumstances, be extended to 5 losing tricks depending on the shape of the holding and the held values.)
		Double		An immediate call of double is for penalty. The expectation is that, by any vulnerability, the defenders can achieve a better result than competing for the contract.

Example 3

East 97 QJ98643 K2 54		South xxxx x   xxxx xxxx
East		South		Meaning
3 red				Preemptive opening bid on the three level in either red suit, either Hearts or Diamonds.
		Double		Any double following a preemptive opening bid of 3 Diamonds or 3 Hearts is considered a cooperative double. A cooperative double is a double that provides the partner the option, information for deciding to, or the opportunity of passing for penalties or to continue bidding.

If you wish to include and of these features, 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.