25 More Bridge Conventions You Should Know
by Barbara Seagram and David Bird

Masterpoint Press, £14.99, ISBN 1 894154 65 7

The latest continuation in the popular '25' series deals with some slightly lesser known, or less often used, conventions than its predecessor. Amongst these, I found one I had not heard of (Ingberman) and one that I would not, before I read the book, have been able to explain (Snapdragon Doubles). There are also a few that fit most naturally into a two-over-one game-force system: Bergen Raises, Forcing 1NT and Weak Jump Shifts. Also included is the arguably most dangerous convention ever invented: Pick-a-Slam 5NT. Most teachers would tell their students only to embark on a slam hunt once they have established what suit they are going to play in, so use this one with care! Of particular interest to Bridge Plus readers may be: ace and king (Italian) cue-bidding, fit-showing jumps, four-suit transfers, gambling 3NT, Puppet Stayman and responding to three-bids.

As you would expect, the authors explain each convention well, give helpful examples and deal with anticipated continuations. They also point out what natural options you lose by adopting the convention and which conventions are incompatible with one another (for example, you cannot play Cappelletti and DONT, as both of these are defences against a 1NT opening).

I would like to feature a convention that I do not recall having played, but which seems to have considerable merit: Leaping Michaels. The authors explain that this is mainly used to defend against weak two openings, and they also mention some other sequences in which you could use it:

You	LHO	Partner	RHO
			2 (weak)
Pass	4/

The concept is that a jump in a new suit, as here, indicates a two-suited hand. What is more, you tell partner both your suits straight away. In the situation illustrated, 4 shows hearts and clubs whilst 4 would show hearts and diamonds. They tell you that you need at least 5-5 in the two suits, but many of their example hands are 6-5 for the simple reason that you need good playing strength to justify driving the auction to the four level. They quote this hand as suitable for a 4 bid over 2:

7   A Q 10 6 2   J   K Q J 9 7 3

Apart from the fact that you describe both the playing strength and the shape of your hand in one bid, Leaping Michaels offers a further advantage. Since you do not need an immediate cue-bid of the opponents' weak two to indicate a two-suiter, you can use it to ask for a stopper instead. The authors add the interesting suggestion that you could play the convention in fourth seat if, for example, opener opens one of a suit and responder gives a single raise. The authors do point out that this treatment is optional, so you would need to discuss it with your partner.

Julian Pottage

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