SWINE - TWISTED

The origin of this method or treatment (defense mechanism) is attributed to Mr. Jeff Goldsmith. The information presented here is found on the Internet at the site of Mr. Jeff Goldsmith. As stated, the following information is known as a variation of Hyashi / SWINE, and is called, without any particularly good reason, Twisted Swine.

Another designation is Runouts After 1NT - Dbl or Runouts After 1 No Trump - Double. Another designation, which has also been accepted within the bridge community is Swine Runouts.

The concept behind this conventional treatment is a defense mechanism in a competitive auction after partner opens 1 No Trump (either weak or strong) and there is immediate competition in the form of a double. This conventional treatment does not concern itself with an immediate overcall of a suit, only with an overcall of a double.

The bridge player must be aware of the fact that an overcall of a 1 No Trump opening, which is a frequent occurrence, is a feature of a competitive defense mechanism, which should be alerted, and therefore this treatment designated as Twisted Swine (or Swine Runouts) is a defense mechanism to a defense mechanism. It is with this understanding that the following information be read and viewed. The bridge player should also be aware of the fact that a conceived defense mechansim to a conventional defense mechanism is generally per partnership agreement and is normally not a universally accepted treatment. This web page of Mr. Jeff Goldsmith was posted April 22, 1996.

Once this particular bidding sequence has occurred, then the following guidelines take effect, which are shown below, and which include a Forcing Pass. Again, the visitor is strongly advised to visit the Home Page of Mr. Jeff Goldsmith. The following information is only preserved and archived on this site for future reference.

Opener		Opponent		Partner		Meaning
1 NT						The range can either be considered weak or strong.
		Double				The partnership must decide whether to ask for clarification since this overcall must be alerted and explained upon request.
				Pass		This pass is a Forcing Pass and promises either: and , or and , or a Penalty Redouble.
Redouble
						After a redouble: 2 = and 2 = and Pass = business.

Opener is allowed to compete after this action if he has length in Diamonds; he may double right hand opponent's bid hoping that the Pass was penalties as long has he has four or more Diamonds. (And the ability to double naturally, of course.)

Once the penalty redouble is exposed, we are in a force at the two level only. Immediate doubles are penalty at any level.

Opener		Opponent		Partner		Meaning
						Continuances After 1NT - Double - ?
				Redouble		This is a Puppet to 2 and shows a single-suiter.
2						The Puppet.
				Pass		Shows Clubs.
				2		Natural, shows Diamonds.
				2		Natural, shows Hearts.
				2		Shows a weak Spade single-suited runout.
				3 any		Shows a strong, forcing (one-round ?), natural one-suiter.
						Continuances After 1NT - Double - ?
				2		Shows Clubs and and a Major suit.
						The responses are: 2 = Natural. 2 = Pass or correct. Pass of a double is to play.
				2		Shows Diamonds and Hearts, both red suits.
				2		Shows Hearts and Spades, both Major suit.
				2		Shows a 6-card plus Spade suit, non-aweful hand; can handle raise in competition.
				2NT		Shows some strong hand; unusally two-suited (never happens)
				3 any		To play. Probably gambling, but has enought to expect advancer to pull.

Responder can show a three-suiter short in Clubs by redoubling twice. 4-3-3-3 hands are sometimes shown this way. Responder can show a three-suiter short in Diamonds via Redouble ... 2 ... Redouble.

In general, redoubles are takeout except after the business pass. They can be on hands that have psyched; if we want to play somewhere, we play it just doubled.

If opener bids an "impossible" suit, it is to play and natural, not fitted. Responder is not expected to correct. It is usually a six- or seven-card suit or a possible psych.

We will psych responses even after a double if we have a good place to run. If opener chooses a suit and responder overrides into a different suit, that suggests a psych. (It is unclear which action was the psych (both?), but opener cannot correct.)

We will once in awhile psych without a place to go, praying to find a non-doomed spot, especially against a good pair who we hope play takeout doubles. Down seven white undoubled in the 2-1 fit is probably better than being doubled if responder is broke.

We won't generally psych after a strong notrump, but are quite prone to it after a 10-12 (No Trump opening). Sometimes, confusion will be our epitaph. ...or escape.

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.

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