Fishbein

Fishbein is a convention used after an opponent has opened the bidding with a preempt. A direct double is for penalties; an overcall of the cheapest available suit is for takeout. Examples:

Opener	Overcaller
3 ♦	Dbl	For penalties.

Opener	Overcaller
3 ♦	3 ♥	Showing a takeout double of 3 ♦.

Fishbein only applies in the direct position; it is off in the balancing seat.

The convention achieved peak popularity in the 1950s and 1960s before becoming displaced by the takeout double.

Fishbein is named for its American inventor, Harry Fishbein, who won 16 national events and represented the United States in the 1959 Bermuda Bowl world championship. At its Summer North American Bridge Championships (NABC), the ACBL awards the Fishbein Trophy to the player who wins the greatest number of masterpoints.