Question. What is the implication of Checkback Convention. Please let us know in what situation of the game it can be applied? Abdul Hakeem, F. B. Area, Karachi. Answer. Your letter in detail regarding bridge conventions and query about Checkack Convention has been noted with appreciation and glad to know your keenness to improve your game.
As you already know the game of bridge is not comparable with any other indoor games which calls for application of intellect and serious study to a greater degree for at least the basics in order to play the game well at the bridge table.
More than 4000 books have been published on this game by different authors across all the 5 continent of the globe and hundreds of convention have been invented by bridge experts for communicating the pattern of distribution and strength of cards in hands to enable to arrive at a correct decision by bidding process while plying any deal.
The Checkback Convention is also known as delayed Stayman convention to find a 4-4 or 5-3 fit in major suit to safely reach a game contract before settling for contract in no-trump. The guidelines for application of this convention is given in detail which are as follows.Before giving the explanatory bidding sequences, a word of advice is worthwhile for application of many artificial bridge conventions and to improve the quality of play.1.
That you and your partner should be fully conversant with any of the bridge conventions you choose to play with. For playing social or club bridge you need few useful conventions to make your game a pleasant experience.
Besi playing the game in each other houses in a limited circle of friends, you should join some social clubs where bridge is played regularly among members to improve the standard of the game. A better option is that you and your partner or your team of four to go to National Stadium, where the Karachi Bridge Association regularly organizes duplicate bridge pairs and team events on every Friday and Sunday respectively. 2. That will help improve your game and also help in remembering the convention with the constant application. 3. Do not start playing deals without checking with the partner as to what system and conventions he is willing to apply.
THE CHECBACK COVENTION:
When the partnership is playing Two-way Stayman, and the partner rebids 1 notump after opening the hand with a minor suit, he shows the value of the hand to have 15-17 point count. It is in that situation the Checkback convention is applied to locate a 4-4 or 5-3 fit in major suits example:
1C 1H
3H
Sows 4 card support in heart With 15-17 HCP
1C 1D
1NT 2 C
2H
2 H shows 4 cards of heart and does not deny 4 cards of spades that can be shown later and balance hand.
1C 1H
1NT 2C
1NT denied 4 card in hearts does not deny
4 card spades.
2C is always checkback asking for 3 card support and /or 4 cards in spades.
1C 1H
1NT 2C
2H
This bid shows 3 cards in hearts.
1C 1H
1 NT 2C
2S
The bid of 2S shows
4 cards in spades
1C 1H
1NT 2C
3C
The bid of 2 clubs show a 4 cards spades and 3 cards in hearts.
1C 1H
1NT 2D
The responder's failure to use checkback
Shows a weak two suiter hand to settle for a part score by dropping the bidding at safest level. Please remember that checkback is the only forcing bid after opener's rebid of 1NT and all the checkback bids and responses are alertable.
GOLDEN TIPS:
The conventional bids applied after complete understanding between partners to avoid confusion and bad results.
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