Hello Mr Wolff

In the unsuccessful story that you’ve mentioned I think the problem was with East. First he buts in with a 4 card suit Major knowing fully well that North may hold majors and then he doesnt pass partner’s support double converting into penalty with 4 cards of club. I think this shows the problem with modern bidding where one plays a lot of conventions without ever knowing their correct application. I agree with you that with 3 small support double should be avoided.

best regards

Shantanu Rastogi

Hi Shantanu,

Right you are and, if you will excuse the expression in “No Trump”.

I have often described the ideal situation, when desiring to create a new partnership with the idea of slowing growing into something formidable, of figuratively retiring to a desert island with your partner, where distractions are rare, and devote brain time to not only choose system and conventions wisely, languages which fit the personality of both of the partners, and most importantly learn when to strictly follow convention (here the support double, which BTW I never liked since IMO the disadvantages outweigh the advantages) and above all, the reasoning involved where both partners come to an agreement as to what degree and when to follow through.

The above is a beginning and after time, during which some compromises and negotiations are sure to occur, the partnership will then begin to achieve a necessary consistency which becomes critical to be able to move on to a winning style and, more importantly a worthwhile liaison which usually establishes the confidence needed to score well consistently, with the goal of both partners continuing to improve, both generally and, of course, developing a competitive winning approach together to the game itself.

Again, thanks for your voiced pragmatic opinions.