The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-25
USE OF THE DOUBLE
AT ROYAL AUCTION
NO Well Defined Rules to Guide
the Player in All
Situations.
EXAMPLES OF BAD BIDDING

There IL probably no other part OF the
game OF royal auction which so clearly
marks the expert as the management OF
she doubling privilege. In spite OF all that
has been written on the subject we do not
fnd any we'll defined rules for doubling
under any and all circumstances In the
old bridge days member OF the famous
American Whist Club team In Boston was
asked what f. G. Howell doubled upon, as
he was always so successful at II, and the
immediate answer was:
Upon inspiration"
There Is probably only one double that
Is always right because II Is always corr
yentional. and that Is the second hand
double OF a spade, indicating two sure
tricks in a short spade suit and trick
or so outside. but not enough TO go no
trumps.
Another double that Ia considered con-
ventonal by some players but condemned
by others Is with three sure tricks In the
called suit and not q trick anywhere else.
double that il little understood by tho
great mass OF players IL that OF the third
hand when the second player overcalls a
no trumper with n suit. The double gives
the dealer choice between defeating the
declaration. saving game or going back to
no trumps
This double should never be made with
out two shoppers IN the adverse suit and
some outside strength but not enough to
Justify going two no trumps with n pros
poet OF going game on the hand. The
situation requires nice judgment.
There are a number OF things TO con-
slider In doubling. one Is the possibility
that Il will frighcen the sdversaries into
a successful SHIFT and render the doubling
hand useless for either attack or defence.
Another Is the risk OF a redouble that
would win tho game in minor suit \
\.
closure Of the hand that the declarer
should nnesse against. A higher declara-
ton is often much better than a double.
when there Ia a chance to 60 game. II
there IL not strength enough to go game
there Il probably rot enough to set the
opponents for anything worth while.
As rule the best PLAYERS double en-
tirely on their own cards without any
regard to what their partnerscan win and
they do not double until they are sure
the opponents cannot wriggle out Of II.
Hut the average PLAYER 10 liable 20 double
on either OF two excuses, which are al
ways at hand The first OF these is that
hs doubled or general principles. and the
second is that /; was free double.
With the exception OF an original
spade. II is considered bad practice to
double a one trick bid. although many
will double with three sure tricks in the
suit and nothing else. hoping the partner
msy have something As a rule, when
there is any doubling on the first round
or SO OF the bidding. 1t is due 10 bad
declarations that have opened the way
for &. IN spite OF all that has been
written and taught. there are thousands
Of players who make extraordinary calls
on their cards aud so open the door FOR
very liberal doubling
Here is "a deal. played last winter In a
club where the stakes were cents n
point. in which very weak opening bid
led to some remarkable further bidding
and some persisten. doubling. the doubling
being about the only sound declaration In
the whole thing