Before we come to the comparatively simple business of playing the hand, let us complete our consideration of the far more subtle art of calling it, I have already briefly dealt with the main problems that are likely to puzzle humdrum players. Though the advice so far tendered may sound simple _and obvious, I know many fairly respect-_ able club card-table habitues whose fascinations as partners would be enhanced from 25 to 50 per cent, by. practising consistently what I have inadequately preached. But there' are other devices in the bidding that merit just a passing comment. A favourite coup with lots of players is the preemption call. This means, first-call bid, right off the reel, of two, three, or even more, with the avowed object of frightening off all opposition, and telling the play-' er's partner to stand clear and mind his own business.
While Tam far from condemning this device for occasional and excep. tional use, my own experience has: een that, on the whole, it does not. Pay. It often provokes a still more intimidating opposition bid, for all 'Auction Bridge players are not timorous "rabbits", and obviously, if the original caller olds a real' Preemption bid, freak hands are' quite likely to be dealt elsewhere too, Besides which it still more often shuts out what would have been a still more profitable, as well ax safer, bid by the caller's partner. 'How often have T watched the bold preemption bid crash amid the dust of incalculably freak hands, and heard a disillusioned partner, after' duly debiting his score with expen sive totals above the tins on the opponents' side, observe, anger than in sorrow: "if you hac only called one, or even two, of your suit, partner, C should have] Bone, and get, three no-trumps,"
Bidding Two of a Suit If you hold a Jong suit, with top honours minus the ace, a two bid right off as a first call is not so) much preemption as a signal to your partner that you have exactly: what you hold. That is a sound: Bid, and generally leads to business.
your partner calls you off into another suit, ponder well before going further with your own.—If you hold an honour, or even four small cards, in his suit, the prohi bility is, as he is most likely devoid of your own, the hand will be better played in his call. If he calls no-trumps, your decision, whether to leave him in at that, or to overcall him in your suit, must hinge upon the calling by the opponents, and the real strength of your own hand Ig yours is a hopeless affair outside your suit, and that is strong, which implies some breadth as well as great! length, better overcall him. If you Jack a'safe stopper in any suit called against his no-trump obviously you either hold your peace, or proceed. to call higher in your own suit, greatly fortified by the sure and certain knowledge that your partner is a safe man, and has a good all-round hand to back your suit.
It your partner passes your call in ominous silence, and you are overcalled, think furiously, but very, clearly, before tempting fate again, Another point where weak players often fail badly is where their partner has made an unforced called fa suit. or possibly ne-trump call, and been over.
even no-trumps. In the former ease, if you have a suit, you are immensely encouraged to, tall it. Whether. you do so, of pre~ for to put him up in no-trumps, depends on whether you hold the es-Sential stopper in the. opponents' taalled suit, or the general support your hand affords to a n2-trump call, and on the strength of your best suit. But a suit call, backed by a no-tramp bid, is a very useful thing to score with. That way And discretion is never more truly the soul of valour than at " Auction Bridge, provided it is not pushed to the length of sheer punctilious, funk. The great gift is what I might call discreet that belongs to the cord sense, and, born not manufactured,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.