The origin of this conventional defense method is unknown. It is a modified version of the Trap Defense Method and contains in addition bids on the two level to show distribution not capable of being shown by the trap defense method. As with the original concept, the modified version is a defensive bidding system employed after strong, artificial 1 Club opening bids.

Note: All bids on the two level are practically identical to those overcalls employed in the Suction conventional method after a 1 No Trump opening by the opponents, but are not employed in the modified trap defense method in this manner.

All intervening bids are normally based on a holding with a minimum of 12/13 high card points and on a longer suit of good to excellent quality. The intervening bids are shown below. All continuances are considered to be a matter to be decided by the partnership.

The Trap Defense Method as Comparison

Double:	A transfer to a long one-suiter in Hearts.
1 :	A transfer to a long one-suiter in Spades.
1 :	Promises a two-suited holding with Clubs and Spades (black suits) or Diamonds and Hearts (red suits).
1 :	Promises a two-suited holding with Hearts and Spades (Major suits) or Clubs and Diamonds (Minor suits).
1 NT:	Promises a two-suited holding with Clubs and Hearts (rounded two-suiter) or Diamonds and Spades (pointed two-suiter).
2 :	Promises either a one-suited holding in Clubs (the bid suit), of a three-suited holding with shortness in Clubs (the bid suit).
2 :	Promises either a one-suited holding in Diamonds (the bid suit), of a three-suited holding with shortness in Diamonds (the bid suit).
2 :	Promises either a one-suited holding in Hearts (the bid suit), of a three-suited holding with shortness in Hearts (the bid suit).
2 :	Promises either a one-suited holding in Spades (the bid suit), of a three-suited holding with shortness in Spades (the bid suit).

Modified Trap Defense Method

This competitive defense method employs bids on the two level as a two-way ambiguous transfer bids. These overcalls compare to those bids employed by the Suction conventional method following a 1 No Trump opening. The following schematic presents the guidelines:

2 :	Promises a one-suiter in Diamonds (transfer), or a two-suited holding with Hearts and Spades (both Major suits).
2 :	Promises a one-suiter in Hearts (transfer), or a two-suited holding with Clubs and Spades (both black suits).
2 :	Promises a one-suiter in Spades (transfer), or a two-suited holding with Clubs and Diamonds (both Minor suits).
2 :	Promises a one-suiter in Clubs (transfer), or a two-suited holding with Diamonds and Hearts (both red suits).
2 NT:	Promises non-touching rounded suits (Clubs and Hearts).
Double:	Promises non-touching pointed suits (Diamonds and Spades).
3 :	Some partnerships have skipped the double as showing non-touching pointed suits (Diamonds and Spades), in order to retain the capability of employing the double as either lead-directing or for penalty, and replaced the call with 3 Clubs. Partnership agreement.

The Modified Trap Defense method, as opposed to the original Trap Defense method, has been altered, so that the partnership has the capability of transferring the partner to both Minor suits. If the bridge student is observant, then the bridge student will realize that the bids transfer to the next higher-ranking suit and/or show a two-suited holding containing the second higher suit and the third higher suit.

For example, the bid of 2 Diamonds is used to transfer to the next higher-ranking suit (Hearts) and/or to the second higher suit (Spades) and the third higher suit (Clubs). The difference to the original version is the drawback that the intervenor is no longer able to show a possible three-suited holding.

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.