Snapdragon double
Encyclopedia
Snapdragon double is a bidding convention in contract bridge
. It is a call of double by fourth hand, when three different suits have been bid by the first three players and shows a good holding in the fourth suit (generally six cards, though some partnerships allow five) and tolerance for partner's suit.
The word snapdragon derives from antirrhinum
, which is a genus of plants commonly known as snapdragons from the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed, which as a result produces a snap-like sound. The reason for this designation is that the Snapdragon double can only be triggered by the player in the fourth seat after the three previous players have each bid a different suit.
For example, after 1– 1 – 1, a double would show a hand with primary clubs and heart tolerance. The definition of "tolerance" varies among partnerships, and may include any doubleton, only honor doubleton, or require three-card support. A typical hand for most partnerships would be .
In standard bidding, this would be a penalty double, but it is extremely rare to have such a double at the one level, and even there, the opponents may have a better spot. An alternative modern interpretation is for this double to show "cards," and simply ask partner to do something intelligent.
Before using Snapdragon, both partners should agree:
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
. It is a call of double by fourth hand, when three different suits have been bid by the first three players and shows a good holding in the fourth suit (generally six cards, though some partnerships allow five) and tolerance for partner's suit.
The word snapdragon derives from antirrhinum
Antirrhinum
Antirrhinum is a genus of plants commonly known as snapdragons from the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed...
, which is a genus of plants commonly known as snapdragons from the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed, which as a result produces a snap-like sound. The reason for this designation is that the Snapdragon double can only be triggered by the player in the fourth seat after the three previous players have each bid a different suit.
For example, after 1– 1 – 1, a double would show a hand with primary clubs and heart tolerance. The definition of "tolerance" varies among partnerships, and may include any doubleton, only honor doubleton, or require three-card support. A typical hand for most partnerships would be .
In standard bidding, this would be a penalty double, but it is extremely rare to have such a double at the one level, and even there, the opponents may have a better spot. An alternative modern interpretation is for this double to show "cards," and simply ask partner to do something intelligent.
Before using Snapdragon, both partners should agree:
- Which level the Snapdragon double still applies. The generally accepted guideline is not to employ Snapdragon doubles beyond the two-level.
- Upon the strength at which this double can be applied at which level.
- To make it part of their partnership agreement.