The general criticism from "naturalistic players" is that conventions are too mechanical and thus give too much information to the opposition. The question that stems from this criticism is whether the information communicated to your partner through conventions outweighs that same information conveyed to the opposition. The critics also enjoy pointing out that, if a player ever decides to break his own conventional rules, he runs the risk of misleading not only the opposition, but his partner as well. Thus, according to the critics, a conventional player plays with far less flexibility than he could without all of his gadgets. I hope this article will illustrate to the readers that this argument is flawed in many respects. Conventions can very often open up possibilities that are non-existent to the naturalistic players, even providing them with more flexibility than otherwise possible.

To begin, it should already be apparent that the doubleton high-low signal offers some unique flexibility.

1. First, it communicates your intentions to utilize your hand for ruffing purposes.
2. Second, your partner learns a general amount of information about your spade suit (if you also use the "doubleton reverse signal").
3. Third, your partner can devise the best strategy for playing his own hand based on the distribution you signal.
4. Fourth, the high-low signal offers a particular advantage when you and your partner both hold doubletons in the same suit. The player with the weaker spades or no valuable discards can trump, while the other partner can make a valuable discard or simply protect his valuable spades.

These are just a few of the general benefits received from the high-low doubleton signal that I have identified.

A Useful False-Card Stratagem

Another benefit, which I believe has yet to be taken advantage of by many Spades players, is that the high-low signal offers some unique false-carding techniques.
Score: North/South – 450, East/West – 412.

North A K 7 6 10 7 5 4 J 2 10 7 3 West Q 10 2 A J 3 10 8 4 A K 6 5 East 8 3 K Q 2 A K 7 6 5 3 9 2 South J 9 5 4 9 8 6 Q 9 Q J 8 4 The bidding: West North East South 3 3 6 2 West led the K

Each team was forced to bid game as dictated by the score. All four players had played each other many times and were well acquainted with the conventions that each used. When West led the king of clubs, East hoped for a ruff and began a high-low signal by playing the 9. South, deducing that the nine likely conveyed shortness, quickly evaluated the situation. Knowing that West obviously had the A, South could easily figure that East/West were entitled to the first three tricks and perhaps even further control of the hand. Thus, South decided to fake a doubleton club holding by playing the 8 first.

When West continued with theA, West assumed that East and South were both out of clubs and that North must have started with five clubs. Since West didn't want to open hearts with his tenace holding, and also fearing an overruff if he led clubs, he decided to lead a low diamond to East's king. East then followed with the A and noted the fall of both the Q and J. East, fearing a diamond ruff, switched to hearts. East and West took their three hearts leaving East on play with these cards:

North A K 7 6 10 - 10 West Q 10 2 - 10 6 5 East 8 3 - 7 6 5 3 - South J 9 5 4 - - Q J

After East was forced to lead diamonds, South immediately cut with the 4 of spades and led his 5 to North's king. North then followed up with one more round of spades by leading the ace. Now either a club or heart lead from North held East/West to only eight tricks.

South's diabolical false-signal ended up changing the entire outcome of the hand. Had West continued clubs, East could have cut and then led a round of hearts to West's ace. West could have then led another club thereby either giving East an easy ruff, or promoting two of West's spades if North decided to uppercut with his ace or king of spades. East/West would not only have made their bid with this line of play, but they could have taken 10 tricks!

Keep the Opponents Guessing

There are some opponents who will learn how to take advantage of your conventions. To keep them off-guard, it can often be critical to break your own conventional rules. However, keep in mind that each time you decide to false-card, you run the risk of misleading your partner. Partnership trust should never be sacrificed for the sake of misleading an opposition.

-- Dustin Stout
dustinst22@yahoo.com )