The snapdragon double (also known as competitive double, fourth-suit double, or impossible double) is a bidding

convention Convention may refer to: * Convention (norm), a custom or tradition, a standard of presentation or conduct ** Treaty, an agreement in international law * Convention (meeting), meeting of a (usually large) group of individuals and/or companies in a ...

contract bridge Contract bridge, or simply bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. In its basic format, it is played by four players in two competing partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. Millions ...

. It is a

call Call or Calls may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * Call, a type of betting in poker * Call, in the game of contract bridge, a bid, pass, double, or redouble in the bidding stage Music and dance * Call (band), from Lahore, Pak ...

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'' is a genus of plants commonly known as dragon flowers, snapdragons and dog flower because of the flowers' fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed. They are native to ...

'', 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. Players choosing to make Snapdragon part of their partnership agreement should agree on: # The maximum level to which it can apply. The generally accepted guideline is not to employ it beyond the two-level. # The preferred minimum strength and features of the doubling hand at each level.

References

{{WPCBIndex Bridge conventions

See also

References