This competitive conventional method was described in the book Competitive Bidding in the 21st Century by Mr. Marshall Miles. He was born December 16, 1926 and died February 5, 2013. He was a dedicated bridge player, a bridge teacher, and an author or bridge-related publications and articles such as for The Bridge World. He was also a contributing Editor to The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge published by the American Contract Bridge League. He was also elected to the ACBL Hall of Fame and was recipient of the Blackwood Award in the year 2005.

Biographical Data

Mr. Marshall Miles won seven North American titles, most in partnership with fellow bridge expert and author Mr. Edwin (Eddie) Kantar. Mr. Marshall Miles also was part of the victorious senior team at the 2004 World Bridge Games in Istanbul.

During the course of his 50 years devoted to the game of bridge he authored eleven books and many magazine articles about the game of bridge. He was known as an imaginative player and expressed many times that his favorite part of the game was bidding.

It is not a well-known fact that much of his first book How to Win at Duplicate Bridge, authored in the year 1957 was written during his spare time while serving in the Army after World War II. His publication All Fifty-Two Cards, another early authored work, remains and is viewed by many of his peers as required reading to move up to intermediate tournament play.

Fundamentals of the Concept

The concept is that the opponents can enter the competitive auction after a Major suit opening, a pass by one's partner, and a first response by the partner of the opening bid of 1 No Trump.

The following competitive bids are suggested by Mr. Marshall Miles.

Speculation: The name of this conventional method is unknown, but it could be possible that it has been named after the bridge professional Mr. George Vasilevsky of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

North		East		South		West		Meaning
1 /		Pass		1 NT		Double		A transfer to Clubs.
						2		A transfer to Diamonds.
						2 of bid Major		Promises a good to strong Takeout
						2 other Major		Shows a weak Takeout and shows at least 4 cards in the other Major suit.
						2 NT		Promises both Minor suits. Length can be 4-4, 4-5.
						3		Promises a 6-card Club suit and a 4-card suit in the unbid Major suit.
						3		Promises a 6-card Diamond suit and a 4-card suit in the unbid Major 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.