17
February 2016 English Bridge
spades, I'll bid them' so that, say, 1™-Dbl-2™-Dbl
denies four spades. However, there's no reason not
to double with four spades because partner can bid
them; sometimes three of a minor is a better spot:
West East
´ J 4 2 ´ A 8 7 3
™ A 5 ™ 8 4 2
t A 8 7 2 t K Q J 3
® K J 10 3 ® 9 4
South West North East
1™ Dbl 2™ Dbl
Pass 3® Pass 3t
All Pass
A 2´ bid doesn't promise five; it just says you aren't
interested in playing elsewhere. After 1™-Dbl-2™ it
is best to bid 2´ with:
´ K Q J 3 ™ 8 4 2 t 9 4 ®Q 9 7 2
because a 4-3 spade fit should play well, possibly
better than a 4-4 club fit. After 1´-Dbl-2´, it is
harder to work out if there is a heart fit. One
solution is to agree that double promises four hearts
while 2NT is 'unusual' showing 4-4 in the minors.
Higher level doubles
At the three level you have less strict shape
requirements for the double, rather it is a more
flexible 'I want to bid'. It shows decent values,
particularly after a weak two opening, as partner is
allowed to pass:
South West North East
2™ Dbl 3™ Dbl
All Pass
EW would far rather defend 3™ doubled on a trump
lead than toil in 3´ or 4®.
It's common for partnerships to agree that double
is just 'values' rather than 'penalties' at any level.
The higher the level, the more often double will be
passed but it always shows 'convertible' values, not
good trumps.
What do I do with a penalty double?
Suppose you are looking at
a) ´ J 4 2 ™ K Q J 3 2 t3 ® K 8 7 2
b) ´ A 6 3 ™ A K 2 t Q 10 5 2 ® J 10 4
and the auction starts 2™-Dbl-3™-? You cannot
double, because that is responsive and partner, with
0 or 1 hearts, will not pass. On hand (a) you must
pass smoothly and hope that partner doubles for
take-out again. If he doesn't, you will defend 3™
undoubled and miss out on a nice penalty. That is
the downside of playing responsive doubles. On
hand (b) you bid 3NT.
Remember
When left hand opponent opens the bidding,
partner doubles and right hand opponent
raises, a common agreement is that your double
is 'responsive':
• With a penalty double, pass (smoothly!)
• Bidding shows confidence that the suit bid
is the right strain
• At the two-level, double shows two fourcard
suits
• At higher levels double shows high cards
and invites partner to bid
• Agree with your partner whether double
shows, denies or is neutral about your
holding in the other major. r
´ J 4 2 ´ A 8 7 3
™ A 5 ™ 8 4 2
t A 8 7 2 t K Q J 3
® K J 10 3 ® 9 4
W E
´ K 4 2 ´ A 10 7 5
™ 5 3 ™ 9 7
t A K 6 2 t Q 10 3
® A J 10 3 ® K 9 7 2
W E