Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05
= Tie BRIDGE Forum j

"a VOTING connected with contract
"a bridge has become SO generally
W cepted the forcing takeout"
" To put up strong game without
this as part of your bidding equip
ment is universally conceded among all expert
players to be an impossiblty.
There is plenty of difference between bidding
systems in plenty of respects-so much so that
it is idle to talk of general Standardization.
Any one at all familiar with the existing situ-.
alton with the number of men and women &C
copied as authorities in various circles, with
the firmness of their sincere convictions and
with the enthusiastic loyalty of their particular
followers. knows that such Standardization cam
not be brought about within the next decade,
if ever and many doubt that such a thing
would be desirable from the standpoint of the
pleasure to be derived from the game.
Certain phases of bidding have proved in
dispensable to good contract, however, that
they have been incorporated into all complete
systems. Among all these none is a more
powerful weapon than the forcing takeout,
which some players call the Jump shift" 1t
cannot be used except by a player whose
partner made the original bid on hand or
else no-trump bid 1t consists of bidding in
a hitherto uncalled suit-not in no trumps-
one more than necessary to overcan the pre-
vious bid.
Two spades over partners original one heart
n forcing takeout," likewise three diamonds
trump. Also if dealer bids one diamond, next
player one heart and the third three clubs. the
latter bid is a forcing takeout because it = one
more than enough TO cvercall the previous bid
and made by a player whose partner was the
original bidder.
A forcing takeout absolutely obligateS the
partner to keep the bidding open, even though
his hand be no stronger than the minimum
indicated by his first call. He is released from
that obligation only if the player at the left
of the forcer does his work for him by bidding.
in which event he says nothing unless he had
something to say. He must make sure, though.
that the bidding does not die on that or any
later round until at least game has been bid by
his Side barring those occasions when an op-
pcnent risks a weak bid and offers a chance
Tor profitable business double.
The maker of forcing takeout says approx
nlately this to his partner: Knowing that you
have the strength for original bid, hereby
guarantee all the remaining strength needed
Tor us to make a game may not be sue of
the best declaration, however, and want you
to assist me to find it by telling me what you
can about your hand. I therefore command
you not to pass until game is bid, unless in the
Meantime one of us has chance for a good
business double of our opponents. / likewise
pledge myself not to pass until then. Now go
ahead and tell me what you about your
hand"
The strength required for such strong
statement Is generally CONSIDERED 10 De ABOUT
three high card or quick tricks. The original
bid having shown either two two and half
such tricks, 1t is certain that the side possesses
a total Of at least five. OF the eight in the
deck-four aces and four kings. or their equiv
alent in lower cards when they are caught--the
opponents cannot hold more than three. Hence
if the opponents take only three of these
tricks against your side it is almost certain that
game can be made in some declaration.
When player has made defensive overcan
such as one heart over opponents one diamond,
his partner cannot make an absolute forcing
overcall. Two spades would still show three
high-card tricks, but opposite partner who
showed only one and a half, the side may
have only four and half, so the bid is merely
semi-forcing.