After Partner's Negative Double

After partner makes a negative double, what should opener do?

For one, he will rarely pass. Only after a high-level negative double such as: 

Opener	North	East	South
1	4	Double	Pass
??

 the opener might leave it in (with a flat hand and nowhere to go) -- for example, 

 Q65  
 A76  
 AK32  
 543.
 

Otherwise, opener bids naturally (pretty much as if he is rebidding after any other response). With extras, he jumps. With a flat hand (and a stopper in their suit), he bids notrump.

Example A

 54  
 AQ76  
 AQ86  
 542

After:

West	North	East	Opener
			1
1	Double	Pass	??

rebid 2 (this is not considered a reverse; it is like raising a response of 1 to 2).

Example B 

 5 
 AQ76  
 AQJ62 
Q42
 

After:

West	North	East	Opener
			1
1	Double	Pass	??

rebid 3 (this jump is invitational. similar to 1-1-3 by a partnership).

Example C 

K42 
 AQ7 
QJ62 
J42
 

After:

West	North	East	Opener
			1
1	Double	Pass	??

rebid 1NT to show a balanced 12-14, typically with spades stopped.

If opener's RHO acts, nothing changes. A "free bid" without jumping doesn't show extras. For example, Opener's 2 on the following auction can be bid with a minimum:

West	North	East	Opener
			1
1	Double	2	2

However, if opener's 'free-bid' is on the 3-level, extras are needed. For example, opener's 3 below, shouldn't be made with a minimum:

West	North	East	Opener
			1
1	Double	2	3

You might also consider getting Larry's book on Doubles and Redoubles HERE or try Michael's Doubles Webinar which you can find HERE. 

Negative Doubles

There is no more important convention in bridge. A negative double is made by East in this auction:

Only the partner of the opening bidder can make a Negative Double.

What does it show? Enough to respond (the higher the level, the more the requirements). On the 1-level, it can be made with as few of 6 points. There is no upper limit. A negative double can be made with 20 or more points!

It shows the "other suits" with the focus on the other major. There are 2 specific auctions where the Negative Double comes with guarantees:

West	North	East	South
1	1	Double

This Negative Double guarantees both majors (at least 4 and at least 4).

West	North	East	South
1 (or 1)	1	Double

This Negative Double (after a 1 overcall) guarantees exactly 4 (not 3, not 5). A 1 bid would guarantee 5 or more spades.

At a higher level, you might make a negative double with less perfect shape but no clear bid.

West	North	East	South
1 (or 1)	3	Double

This auction guarantees at least 10+ points, but not necessarily 4 spades.

You might also consider getting Larry's book on Doubles and Redoubles HERE or try Michael's Doubles Webinar which you can find HERE. 

Responding to a Takeout Double -- Part 1

When your partner makes a takeout double, your "response" shows two things:

1) Your best suit (or notrump)

and

2) Your strength

It continually amazes me how many intermediate-level students get part 2 wrong. They respond to a takeout double as if they are responding to partner's opening bid. Contrast the following two situations:

West	North	East	South
	1	Pass	??

versus

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	??

In each case, suppose South holds:

 65  
 KQ87  
 A32  
 J765
 

In the first auction, he responds 1 and the opener must bid again (1 is forcing one round--it shows 6+ points).

The second auction is very different! South must not bid 1. It does not show 6+. It shows 0-8. His partner doesn't have to bid again. When responding to a takeout double, a non-jump (such as 1) could be a very bad hand. What is South to do with, say,

 432  
 5432  
 432  
 432?

He can't pass and defend against 1 doubled. He must take out to 1 (0-8). If he had the same hand when his partner opened 1, he could just pass and let partner play in 1.

Once you understand and remember the difference, the schedule of responses (listed below) to partner's takeout double is logical. In the chart, notrump bids are also shown. Those are treated a little bit differently than taking out to a suit (with the explanation being shown in the chart).

After partner's low-level takeout double (responding to high-level takeout doubles will be covered in the next article/quiz), bid as follows:

Non-jump suit bid=0-8 HCP and at least a 4-card suit (occasionally it will be a 3-card suit as you will see in one of the quiz answers).  Example: 

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	2

 A4  
 652  
 J6532  
 762
 

Single Jump in a suit=9-11 HCP and at least a 4-card suit (INVITATIONAL--the doubler can pass).

Example: 

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	2

 A3  
 AJ762  
 5432  
 54
 

1NT = 6-10 balanced and the opponent's suit stopped.
2NT = 11-12 balanced and the opponent's suit stopped [INVITATIONAL].
3NT = 13-15 balanced and the opponent's suit stopped.

Those are the basic ways to take out partner's takeout doubles. Here are a few other possible ways to take out the double:

Double jump = 6-card suit, semi-preemptive (this is my modern-day recommendation--in some books, this is defined differently)

Example: 

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	3

 5  
 KJ8765  
 54  
 J765
 

Jump to game = Usually a 5+ card suit and enough for game (good hand). Example:

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	4

 654  
 AKJ65  
 3  
 KJ52
 

Cuebid = Game forcing (opening bid strength) -- not sure where you are headed. Example:

West	North	East	South
1	Double	Pass	2

 AQ76  
 KJ65  
 32  
 A106

If the takeout double is after a preempt, the same basic principles apply (there will be an example in the quiz).

You might also consider getting Larry's book on Doubles and Redoubles HERE or try Michael's Doubles Webinar which you can find HERE.  

Responding to a Takeout Double -- Part 2

In Part 1 of this article, we discussed responding to a low-level takeout double. The gist of it was that notrump bids show values and a stopper(s). Suit bids show 0-8 except for jumps. A single-jump after partner makes a takeout double shows about 9-11.

What about if the takeout double is of a high-level bid (like 3 or 4)? There is not as much room, so the ranges are a bit less defined.

Here is a rough approximation of responses to a 3-level takeout double:

3 of a suit (or 4 of a suit without jumping): 0-9 (approximate), 4+ card suit
3NT: Stopper, some values (probably about 8-13 -- wide range!)
Jump to game: 10-15 (approximate), 4+ card suit
Jump to 4NT: Probably Blackwood (but some expert pairs might define it as natural, invitational).

Example hand for 3 X P 3 :

 A2  
 Q765  
 7652  
 764.
 

Example hand for 3 X P 3NT :

 A2  
J75  
AQ532  
QJ4.

Example hand for 3 X P 4 :

 A32  
AQ65  
K652  
 76.
 

Here is a rough approximation of responses to a 4+level takeout double:

Non-jump takeout = Anything. Could be very weak. Could be up to 13 or even more points. What can you do?
Takeout to 4NT = Not natural. Typically 2 places to play (Example: 

4 X P 4NT on

 3  
 87  
 K10876  
 AJ654.

Note: taking out a 4-level double usually shows a shapely hand. With a flat hand, such as:

 J42  
 J65  
 Q765  
 A32,
you would just pass a double of a 4 or 4 opener and hope to beat them. The only time you might take out a 4-level double with only a 4-card suit is if they open 4 and you want to take out to 4 (maybe with something like:  

 AQ76  
 32  
 K10765  
 32.

Be prepared to make some bad decisions. It is a guessing game at a high level and you can't get them all right.

You might also consider getting Larry's book on Doubles and Redoubles HERE or try Michael's Doubles Webinar which you can find HERE.