Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (2) Reopening Double The bidding has gone: 1H 1S Pass Pass ? Unless you are sitting all over the spades, DO NOT PASS. Usually your best bid at this point is to double. A double in this sequence does not promise anything more than the opening bid. It just keeps the bidding open and gives partner another chance to bid and describe his hand. Partner might have: a. S J 7 4 or b. S K J 10 8 6 or c. S 8 5 H 7 4 H 4 H J 5 3 D A K 9 6 4 3 D A J 3 D 6 4 3 2 C 9 2 C Q J 10 4 C Q 8 6 2 Partner passed hand a. because he was not strong enough to bid 2D, hand b. because he liked spades and a double would be a negative double, and hand c. because he had a bad hand. A reopening double allows partner to bid 2D with hand a., pass for penalties with hand b., and bid 2H with hand c. Note: Unless you are very distributional, a reopening double is better than bidding your second suit. If you are not sure what to do in the reopening seat, Double. Negative Double If the opening bid is 1 of a suit and there is an overcall in another suit, a double by the opener’s partner is a negative double. If there is a no trump bid, the double is not a negative double. A negative double is used to describe a distribution when you can’t just make a bid either because you don’t have enough points or enough length in a suit. A negative double is not made when you have support for partner’s suit. The doubler should have at least 6 points to make a negative double at a low level. At a higher level, the doubler should have 9 or more points. There is no maximum point count for a negative double. Some negative double bidding sequences: a. 1C 1S Double The double shows at least 4 hearts. He could have more if he can’t bid 2H. b. 1C 1H Double The double shows exactly 4 spades. With 5 he would bid 1 spade. Therefore, c. 1C 1H 1S shows 5+ spades. d. 1C 1D Double The double shows 4 hearts and 4 spades. Some partnerships say exactly 4 hearts and 4 spades, others say at least 4 hearts and 4 spades. e. 1D 2C Double This double shows at least one 4 card major. If the opener bids the major you don’t have, go back to his suit (diamonds) f. 1H 1S Double This shows at least 4 cards in both minors. g. 1S 2H Double This also shows clubs and diamonds. Since you are forcing opener to the 3 level, you must have at least 9 or 10 points. What do you bid with the following hands? a. S K 6 b. S 8 3 c. S K Q 4 3 d. S K Q 4 3 H Q J 10 4 H K J 9 4 2 H A 8 5 3 H 8 5 3 D A 7 6 3 D K 8 4 D 7 6 4 D 7 6 4 C 8 4 2 C J 7 3 C 9 2 C A 5 3 a. 1C 1S ? b, 1C 1S ? c. 1C 1D ? d. 1C 1D ? e. S 6 f. S K J 8 4 g. S K J 10 7 6 h. S K J 8 4 H Q J H A 7 3 H Q 4 H A 7 3 D K J 10 4 2 D Q J 10 8 D A 3 2 D Q 10 8 C A 8 7 3 2 C 8 3 C 9 6 4 C J 8 3 e. 1H 1S ? f. 1H 2C ? g. 1H 1S ? h. 1D 2C ? Rebids by Opener after a Negative Double a. With 12 to 15 points make a minimum rebid: S K J 4 2 S 10 3 W N E S H 4 3 W E H Q J 10 8 1C 1S Dbl P D K 2 D A 10 8 5 3 1NT P P P C A Q 6 4 2 C J 3 b. With 16 to 18 points make a jump rebid. (Not forcing) S A J 4 S 9 7 2 W N E S H K Q 9 7 W E H A J 10 3 1D 1S Dbl P D A Q 9 6 4 D K 2 3H P 4H P C 2 C J 9 7 3 P P c. With a bigger hand place the contract or cue bid the opponent’s suit. 1S 2C Dbl P The 3C cue bid shows a big hand and is 3C P 3H P forcing to game. The 3H bid shows at least 4H P P P 5 hearts. Opener has 3 hearts. Support Doubles: A support double is used to distinguish between 3 card and 4 card support for partner’s suit response to the opening bid. It is only used when there is an overcall or double by RHO after partner has bid. Opener will raise partner with 4 card support and double with exactly 3 card support. Another bid or a pass shows less than 3 card support. Example; after 1D – Pass – 1H – 1S - Double shows exactly 3 card heart support - 2H shows 4 card heart support, and - Pass or other bids shows less than 3 hearts. It also works over a double: After 1D – Pass – 1S – Double - Redouble shows exactly 3 card spade support - 2S shows 4 card spade support, and - Pass or other bids shows less than 3 spades. If partner has a 5 card or longer suit, he will rebid his suit. If he only has a 4 card suit, he will bid something else. Why is this useful? Consider the following hand: S K 10 N S 6 5 3 H A J 8 W E H K Q 9 5 2 D K 9 7 S D A 8 5 C Q 10 9 6 3 C K J If you are not playing support doubles, the bidding might go: West North East South 1C P 1H 1S 1NT 2S 3N All Pass West has a tough bid over 1S. He shows 4 hearts if he bids 2H which would work if E has 5 hearts. However, if E has only 4 hearts, the heart contract might be bad. 3NT goes down with a spade lead. Playing support doubles, the bidding would go: West North East South 4 hearts makes with a spade lead, or if 1C P 1H 1S South has the spade ace or if North has Dbl 2S 4H All Pass the club ace. Good odds. Playing support doubles, what would you bid with the following hands? a. S 8 6 b. S K 4 c. S K Q 6 H K 7 5 H Q J 8 3 H 7 4 D A Q 6 4 2 D A J 7 2 D J 10 3 C A J 9 C Q 10 4 C A Q J 7 5 a. 1C P 1H 1S b. 1D P 1H 1S c. 1C P 1S Dbl ? ? ? d. S Q 6 e. S Q J 6 4 f. S K 6 3 H 7 4 H 7 4 H J 4 D K Q J 4 3 D K Q J 4 3 D A J 10 4 3 C A J 10 8 C A J C A J 7 d. 1D P 1H 1S e. 1D P 1H 1S f. 1D 1H 1S 2H ? ? ? .