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199’er Bridge 7-25-07 |
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What’s in the box? The double card (the red X)The "takeout" double = An opponent opens the bidding and you double |
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Meaning #1 – Meaning #2 – |
You have an opening bid and you also have support for any suit. A command to partner – bid something! Example: Opponent opens one club and you hold S – AQxx, H – KJxx, D – KQx, C – xx Example: Opponent opens 2 hearts (weak) and you hold S – AJxx, H – xx, D – KQx, C - KJxx Make a takeout double. You have a terrific (16+ h.c.p.) hand with a good suit. You plan to bid your good suit no matter what your partner responds. Your hand could be: S – AQJ10xx, H – AK, D – Axx, C – xx Too strong for a simple overcall… make a takeout double first. |
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Don’t double if you cannot meet these requirements – make an overcall instead. Also it is very risky to double with a void in the opponent’s suit. When you are void, your partner often has a stack in the opponent’s suit and will decide to leave it in for penalty. You may not be pleased with the outcome. |
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The "negative" double = Your partner opens the bidding, right-hand opponent overcalls, and you double. You have support (usually 4 cards) for any un-bid major. You probably have support for any un-bid suit. You have less than 10 h.c.p. If you have more than 10 h.c.p., you can take some other action to let your partner know that you have a good hand. |
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The "responsive" double = Opponent opens, partner doubles, RHO opponent bids, and you double… asking partner to make the choice. The responsive double suggests that you have equal length in the remaining suits. Example: LHO - 1 diamond, partner doubles, RHO – 2 diamonds and you double. Your hand = S – Kxxx, H – Qxxx, D – xx, C – Jxx or S – Jxxx, H – 109xx, D – x, C – KQxx |
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The "re-opening" double = You open the bidding, LHO opponent overcalls, partner and RHO pass. You re-open with a double. It means you have no extra length in your first bid suit, but you are not ready to quit yet. You suggest tolerance for the un-bid suits. Partner may have a stack in the opponent’s suit and be delighted to hear you double. Otherwise, partner will bid something. |
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The "penalty" double = You are doubling (or leaving in your partner’s double) because you believe this action will earn the best result for you. Low level doubles and the original double are not for penalty. The problem is to know when the double is for penalty and when the double means something else. You and your partner should have clear understandings. Whatever those understandings are, the opponents are entitled to know your agreements. |