The source for the information regarding this defense method is from Callahan's Call, a website located in Australia. This concept for a defense method represents a modification of Super Crash, which was authored by Mr. W. D. Bennion in an August 1986 issue of the Bridge World Magazine. The concept itself was developed by Mr. Charles Galloway of Bolton, Ontario, Canada.

Note: The published article of Mr. W.D. Bennion of Toronto, Canada, published August 1986

Note: Any contribution of information, especially photographic material, for the bridge personality of Mr. W.D. Bennion would be greatly appreciated.

Designation for the Defense Method

The designation for CROTS is explained below. The origin of this particular modification of the Super Crash conventional method is unknown. The overcalls for CROTS defense method are shown below.

Color:	a call or double of Clubs shows two suits of the same color, either Spades and Clubs, or Hearts and Diamonds.
Rank:	a call or double of Diamonds shows two suits of the same rank; Spades and Hearts, or Diamonds and Clubs.
Odd:	a call or double of Hearts shows two odd suits; Spades and Diamonds, or Hearts and Clubs.
Three:	a call or double of Spades shows a 3-suited hand, in principle 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 shape.
Single:	a call or double of NT shows a single-suited hand.

Similar to the concept behind Super Crash these bids or calls apply as a double or bid of the particular denomination, at any level, at the first opportunity to call after the opponents open a forcing and Precision-style 1 Club. The outline states that the strength required for such a double or overcall lies in the range of 0-11 high card points. Hence, distribution will be the most pertinent factor in deciding to compete.

Note: The overcalls can be made at any level and at the first opportunity to call. This means that the defense method can be applied in the immediate seat and also following a pass by partner and a forced response by the partner of the opener. In the case that the advancer is an already passed hand, then the partnership must use caution as to the continuations following the triggering of the CROTS defense method in the fourth seat following the opening 1 Club bid.

Example Auction

East		South		West		North		Meaning
1								Strong, forcing 1 Club opening showing 17 plus points.
		Pass						South has no competitive bid or call.
				1		Double		Modified Super Crash conventional method showing two suits of the same rank; Spades and Hearts, or Diamonds and Clubs.

As in Super Crash conventional defense method these calls apply as a double or bid of the particular denomination, at any level, at the first opportunity to call after the opponents open 1 Club, which is agreed to be a strong, Precision-style opening bid. The values required are somewhere between zero and about 11 high card points.

The defense method CROTS differs from Super Crash in that it does not employ the double of 1 Club to show a strong holding. This manner of definition allows all the suit calls to be lowered by one place, leading to a more economical and natural auction in many bidding sequences.

If the player indeed has a holding with values of 12 plus high card points, then pass is the better or preferred option. If a hand which initially passed over a strong Club opening subsequently comes into the auction, then the partner can expect this sort of strength.

Responding to CROTS Calls

If partner makes a CROTS call showing a two-suited holding, then it is preferable to make the most economic call, which shows preference for one of the two suits. For example, if the opposing side opens a strong 1 Club and partner doubles, showing either the two red suits or the two black suits, and the right hand opponent passes, then bid the preferred red suit. If partner holds the black suits, then partner will correct to 1 Spade, which the responder may correct to Clubs.

Note: most continuations are based on the overcall and whether or not the responder decides to compete. Since the two suits can be easily determined the partnership can readily decide whether to bid for the contract, defend, and/or to sacrifice.

Super Crash as Comparison

Super Crash Overcalls
1 :	Promises a two-suited holding of the same color, either red or black, unspecified.
1 :	Promises a two-suited holding of the same rank: either both Major suits or both Minor suits, unspecified.
1 :	This is primarily a preemptive overcall, which can be based on a weak holding and/or a weak Spade suit such as: KJ108. The state of vulnerability is most important in deciding to make this overcall.
1 NT:	Promises a weak, but unspecified one-suited holding. In order to discover the unspecified suit the advancer relays with 2. The intervenor passes if Clubs is his suit and, if not, then rebids the intended suit.
2 :	This overcall promises a weak three-suited holding.
2 :	This is a Twerb overcall showing either the suit above the suit bid, Hearts, or a two-suited holding with at least a 5-5 distribution containing the suits below the bid suit, Clubs and Spades.
2 :	This is a Twerb overcall showing either the suit above the suit bid, Spades, or a two-suited holding with at least a 5-5 distribution containing the suits below the bid suit, Diamonds and Clubs.
2 :	Promises a two-suited holding of the same shape: either Rounded, Hearts and Clubs, or Pointed, Spades and Diamonds.

The difference, provided by this modification, is that CROTS does not employ the call of double to show a holding with strong values. In this manner the calls can be lowered by one place, which results in a more economical and natural auction in many bidding auctions. Thus, the exchange of information is increased by at least one bid, if not by one level.

In order to show a strong holding the competitive action begins first with a pass of the strong 1 Club opening bid, which is followed by a bid or call. In this manner the advancer knows that the holding of partner exceeds the established maximum number of high card points, or 12 plus high card points.

Responses by the Advancer

Once the auction has been opened with a strong, forcing 1 Club Precision-style bid, followed immediately by a CROTS overcall, then the advancer should make the most economical call, which shows a preference for one of the two paris of suits, which he may hold.

Example

East (D) AK1093 Q4 A6 KQ76		South 7 KJ1075 KQ965 J9		West QJx 10xx 10xx Jxxx		North xxxx A96 J104 Axx
East		South		West		North		Meaning
1								Strong, forcing Club opening showing 17 plus points.
		Double						Modified Super Crash conventional method showing either both red suits or both black suits.
				Pass		1		The advancer, with both and equal red suits, will advance with the Major over the Minor suit.

Note: If the double by South refers to both black suits, then South will correct to Spades. If the responder holds sufficient support in Spades, then the first option is to pass and play. If North, however, holds a shortage in Spades and holds longer Clubs, then the advancer, North, will correct to Clubs, which is to play.

As quoted on the website of Callahan's Call: if partner calls or doubles Spades, showing a 3-suiter, bid the lower of 2 suits you would be prepared to play in. If you have two 4-card or longer suits, simply bid the lower ranking suit. If you strike partner's shortage he will correct to the next suit up, which you can pass or correct again to your second suit. If you have only one 4+ suit, choose a 3-card suit as your second suit, and bid the lower of the two.

If partner calls NT, bid Clubs at the lowest level, pass or correct.

 

 

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.