The Chicago Convention

This convention is most useful at rubber bridge. When a player picks up a Yarborough, he asks his partner, "how's your aunt in Chicago?" "She died last week." "Hey, wait! I have only 12 cards!" "I have 14!" Then they both quickly throw their cards into the center of the table and shuffle them.

This is also known as the "12-14 Convention."

Note that partner can reject the offer and answer, "she's doing fine," or "count again."