These questions came from Bridge Base Online. Players were invited to "ask Larry". Here is a sampling of Questions and Answers.From: Andrew

Hi Larry

I recently heard about a double called a "Nixon Double". I couldn't find anything on it on the internet. Have you perhaps heard of this double? If so, can you kindly let me know what it is and how it works?

Regards
Andrew Lee (from South Africa)

Dear Andrew,

Your question amuses me for several reasons. First, I tell all my students that they can "Google" any bridge term. For example, to learn more about LOTT, just search for "Law of Total Tricks" bridge. Be sure to use quotes (or you'll get lots of articles about lawyers and laws). Next, I never heard of Nixon Doubles, and my Google search turned up nothing. Some conventions or treatments acquire a local name (maybe some guy named Nixon dreamed something up) that never catches on worldwide. Lastly, I have learned that if I don't know the answer, never to make one up. I was once lecturing and a student asked if I had heard of the "CRAFT" convention. Fortunately, I told the truth and said "No, I haven't." It turns out that CRAFT stands for "Can't Remember A F*&%^$* Thing!"

From: J.C. McIntosh

I would like to ask Larry a question if he has time:- "Following the Law" one raises partner to the number of trumps held by the partnership (provided you have made all suitable Adjustments to your hand), but what do you do if playing Acol, when one can't be sure if partner opened with a four card Major or a five card Major and consequently cannot be certain of the number of trumps the partnership holds? If the answer is "Don't play Acol", then you can give it to me now :)

Best Regards...........jaymac (Joan McIntosh)

Dear Joan,

You answered your own question, as you probably suspected. But no, I wouldn't tell anyone what system to play or not play. But, I would say that any system that uses four-card majors does not make it easy to apply the LAW of Total Tricks. When I teach on international cruises, I sometimes have students that use four-card majors (mainly from England). I feel badly that some of my Total Tricks lectures are useless for them. All the Bergen Raises and other competitive LAW jumps simply don't work with four-card majors.

Sir,

I would like to know how you tackle 2NT (Two Minors) intervention over partner's 1NT, keeping in mind Sign off, invitational and forcing situations with 5 Hearts or Spades. and 4-4 H/S with game value?

Thanking you, Yours sincerely,
Ujjwal Kumar Siddhanta,
From India

Dear Ujjwal,

It's funny timing on this question, as last week in the Atlanta regional this exact auction came up for me. It doesn't happen often, but if you are willing to discuss it with partner and memorize it, I suggest that after 1NT (2NT=minors) you play:

3= Stayman
3= Transfer to hearts (5 hearts)
3= Transfer to spades (5 spades)
3= Undefined (unless you want to invent something that is easy to memorize)
3NT=To Play
4= Gerber--Ace Asking
4/4=Transfers (to sign-off. Bidding a 3-level transfer then raising is a slam try)
4NT = Quantitative

The memory strain comes with the 3,3 and 3 bids -- but they are logical and common enough to memorize.

From: Amera70 on BBO

Hi Larry,

Is there a significant difference between answering a 2 club opening of your partner with 2 diamonds for negative or waiting or 2 hearts for complete negative hand? Is this merely partnership agreement or is there some better reason for the 2 hearts response?

Dear Amera70,

The 2 "double-negative" is gaining in popularity. I am still happy with the more old-fashioned use of 2 for all bad or "waiting hands." I find that 2 takes up too much room and causes trouble (wrong-siding) when opener has a heart one-suiter. Still, there is an upside to being able to announce right away that responder is broke. By using 2 waiting, I have more room, but then have to use a double-negative (cheaper minor) at my second turn to show a really bad hand. I don't feel strongly other than that you and your partner should choose one way or the other and both play it the same way!

from: "Yooper Spectator"Most people who play unusual nt do this for instance. 1s p p 2nt! (for minors)

Has this become normal? It has always been a direct seat bid.

Dear Yooper,

There is a lot of confusion about such bids in balancing seat. All jumps in balancing seat are natural and show good hands. A jump in a suit (such as 1 P P 2) shows a good 6 card suit and about 15-18 points in playing strength. A balancing jump to 2NT is NOT unusual for the minors. It is natural, strong and balanced. The most common range would be something like 19-20 (maybe 18, maybe 21). Here is the schedule for balanced hands in balancing seat:1NT=10-15 (very approximate -- depends on which suit was opened, vulnerability, etc.)

Double then 1NT =16-18 (approximate)
2NT directly = 19-20 (approximate)

Note also that a direct 2NT overcall after a weak two-bid is natural (about 16-18). A balancing 2NT after a weak two-bid is also natural (about 14-17).

If I had a dime for every student of mine that doesn’t know those last two items, I'd be a millionaire!

Hi!

I would like to stay anonymous.

So, here's my question: An expert fellow countryman stated some time ago that if he ended up on a deserted island and could bring with him three bridge conventions, one of them would be the XYNT. What is Larry's favourite convention after 1x - p - 1y - p - 1NT - p - ?

Dear Anonymous,

I thought I was going to have say who I would want with me on that island. This question is much easier. After a 1NT rebid, I am happy to play anything my partner wants to play. I've played 2-way checkback (2=Game forcing, 2=invitational). I've played that 2 relays to 2 for various hands. I've played "new minor" checkback. These days the "XYZ" terminology is becoming popular, but often means different things to different people (try Googling it!). More important than the actual system, I'd say to focus on the usual essentials of any conventions:

1) Make sure both partners have discussed it thoroughly and agree to play it the same way

2) Discuss if it is on in competition (over doubles? overcalls? delayed intervention?)

3) Discuss if it is on by a passed hand

From: jerryrobie

How do I execute a squeeze? I have been playing bridge for 6.5 years now, have read two books on the subject ("Bridge Squeezes Complete" by Clyde Love and "Squeezes Made Easy" by David Bird and Marc Smith), and still have no clue as to how to do this. I "luck" into one occasionally, but I feel it is just that - "luck". I have an engineering background and feel that I am quite logical, but I just cannot wrap my brain around the methodology in either of these books. Any resources that you might direct me to would sure be appreciated.

Dear Jerryrobie,

I get asked this question a lot. Squeezes aren't easy. I am not surprised that you occasionally` fall into one--and I'm sure it is fun when you do. If you have read two books (and the "Love" book is a classic), and that hasn't helped, what can I say in one short answer that supplants complete books? Maybe it will encourage you to know that this area of the game is of little importance (unless you like being in the newspapers when they work). Believe it or not, most squeezes that I execute, I also fall into. Sure, there are some deals where I have to plan early (usually by ducking to rectify the count), but in most cases, planning on a squeeze is rarely a needed strategy for declarer. The books (and lessons) can be confusing on this topic.

From : Unknownok, here's a couple of questions...

1. As dealer at IMPs, all vul, holding Ax, x, Axxxx, Qxxxxx, do you open the bidding?

2. At IMPS, all vul, the bidding has been 1D - Dbl, and you hold KJxxx, AQxxx, Qx, x, what action do you take?

dear Unknown,

#1) I would call the director. This must be a trick question since I have no system for 14-card hands.

#2) Redouble and hope for blood.

From:PookiePlayHi Hi Hi Larry!

Could you please explain the differences between a jump shift and a reverse. And, are the rules for these the same in most bridge systems? What I mean is, are the rules for them the same whether you play SAYC or 2 over 1?

Dear PookiePlay,

I wish more intermediate players would ask this question. In my experience, there exists a big hole in so many bridge player's education in this important area. Your timing is funny, in that my newsletter last month addressed this exactly (see: "This month"). In a nutshell, a jumpshift and a reverse both show very strong hands. Both are forcing (partner cannot pass). The difference is that a jumpshift is forcing all the way until game is reached. A reverse can be lighter than a jumpshift and game does not have to be reached. The issue of SAYC or 2-over-1 is not relevant.

From:BarryBeing a real fan of "Theory of Total Tricks" .. I'd be interested to hear Larry's views on the ideas proposed on the website https://rough2s.info/and why they might not be 'legal' in the USA ?

Barry

Yikes! I'm glad you are a fan of Total Tricks. That said, I don't see a connection with these "rough 2's." I suppose, if I stretch my imagination, the relation is that a preemptive bid such as a "rough 2 or 2" makes it hard for anyone to know who has what fit. I am not a big fan of allowing such methods, and indeed, these bids are not allowed in the U.S. Our ACBL tries to limit such "destructive bids." I agree with this policy. My views are not popular in most countries (where they are more permissive and have more of an "anything goes" attitude). I fear that such bids will make the game unpleasant for most--especially new players over the age of 20. This game is hard enough. Coping with an opposing "rough2" would make it too rough. That said, there might be merit (especially against unfamiliar opponents) to using such a method--if it is legal.