WEISS CONVENTION
This conventional method was devised by Mr. Larry Weiss sometime in the 1960s. It combines the advantages of the Optional Double, the Fishbein conventional method, and the Cheaper Minor conventional method of defending against a preemptive opening either on the two or three level. There were many conventional methods offered during this evolutionary period in the game of bridge against opening preempts on the two and/or three level. This is due to the fact that during this period the Schenken Big Club bidding system was en vogue. The concept is as follows:
1. The employment of the Cheaper Minor is a Takeout bid and partner is forced to respond.
2. Any Major suit bid promises a legitimate suit and values to bid on either the two or three level respectively.
3. The double promises a strong holding with above average high card points and which is also suitable for defense. The point range is described as a standard opening bid plus a King in values. This immediate double allows the partner to pass for penalty when also holding near opening values with balanced distribution. With unbalanced distribution, the partner must respond is the best appropriate suit. The range determined by the partnership determines whether a jump bid shows extra values if the opening preempt is on the two level.
The following actual deal is presented as an illustration of the Weiss conventional method:
9754 J9653 Q94 2
J3 AKQ AJ82 10974
AK62 1072 K103 J63
Q108 84 765 AKQ85
South
West North East 2 Double Pass Pass Pass
The Bidding: Players North/South are bidding according to the guidelines of the Schenken Big Club bidding system, in which an opening 1 
promises a minimum of at least 17 high card points and which, at the same time, can be completely artificial. It was the period in bridge history when an opening of 1 signified multiple meanings, which would then be clarified later in the auction. If the bridge player had a normal, standard 1 opening bid, then the player would begin the action with 2 .
As set forth by Mr. Larry Weiss, the holding of West is ideal for his conventional method. The holding contains 15 high card points, no length in either Major suit, and no strength in one Major suit. Until Mr. Larry Weiss introduced his conventional method, any overcall by West proved inadequate after a preempt either on the two or three level. Using the Optional Double, East would more frequently respond in Spades and the end contract would eventually be No Trump, and was therefore frequently inadequate.
Once the Weiss conventional double is employed by West, player East, holding a balanced hand with 11 high card points, realizes that the combined strength is somewhere between 25/26 points minimum, and passes for penalty.
The Play: West wins two tricks by leading Hearts and when declarer ruffs the third Heart, declarer attempts to cash a Diamond trick. However, West ducks and East wins with the King. East then wins the two Spade tricks and provides his partner with a Spade ruff. West cashes two additional Diamond tricks and leads another Diamond. East plays the Jack of Clubs, which is an uppercut play aimed at promoting a trump trick for partner. South overruffs, which sets up an additional trick for West.
The Result: the declarer, South, is down four doubled for minus 800 points. (Note: at the time of this actual game the scoring was different and East/West scored a minus 700 points.)
If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.
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