<p>Assuming that you have <em>Negative Doubles</em>, sometimes called <em>Sputnik Doubles</em>, in your arsenal of agreements, then partner is showing 5 or more Spades. With only four Spades partner would double instead.</p>

<p>The argument might be presented that partner is coming in with only 4 good spades as a lead directing call, but there is no reason for this. First, partner is odds on to have the opening lead if opponents win the auction; and second the double would also show a spade holding. Consequently this argument holds no water <em>on this auction</em>.</p>

<p>If you are not playing <em>Negative Doubles</em> then partner's call should <strong>either</strong> show five Spades and at least a minimum responding hand (normally 5+ HCP in standard systems), <strong>or</strong> four spades and a hand worth at least two free bids, normally 9+ HCP or so in standard systems). </p>

<p>The reason for the two-way call is that with the stronger hand partner must make it clear that your side likely owns the auction, and can compete possibly to the 2- or 3-level.  You can determine after partner's next call if he might have only 4 Spades, with extra points. Initially assume partner is only showing 4 spades in this case, though it is acceptable to make a single raise to 2 with only three-card support if you are minimum.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-22T04:55:24.137Z
2015-07-22T04:55:24.137Z
Forget I was ever here
<p>I open with 1 club.</p>

<p>Left bids 1 hearts.</p>

<p>My partner bids 1 spade.</p>

<p>How many spades can I assume my partner has?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-21T22:58:01.560Z
This is a very broad question and the answers would depend a lot on your partners play style and how the game is going
Joe W
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-22T05:00:19.613Z
@JoeW: This is a fairly straightforward two-way answer. Unless OP is playing some obscure artificial system there is not much variation here beyond whether or not Negative Doubles are agreed.
Forget I was ever here
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-22T06:32:01.923Z
Notwithstanding my comment  above -  you should provide scoring method, bidding system,  and vulnerability status for both partnerships when asking a bridge question. Even in this instance there are subtleties that could come into play.
Forget I was ever here
<bridge>
How many spades does my partner have when responding to my opening 1club bid and left overcalls 1 heart
jill brown
# How many spades does my partner have when responding to my opening 1club bid and left overcalls 1 heart

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-21)

I open with 1 club.

Left bids 1 hearts.

My partner bids 1 spade.

How many spades can I assume my partner has?

**Tags:** bridge

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is a very broad question and the answers would depend a lot on your partners play style and how the game is going  
> **username_2**: @username_1: This is a fairly straightforward two-way answer. Unless OP is playing some obscure artificial system there is not much variation username_2 beyond whether or not Negative Doubles are agreed.  
> **username_2**: Notwithstanding my comment  above -  you should provide scoring method, bidding system,  and vulnerability status for both partnerships when asking a bridge question. Even in this instance there are subtleties that could come into play.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-07-22. Score: 1

Assuming that you have *Negative Doubles*, sometimes called *Sputnik Doubles*, in your arsenal of agreements, then partner is showing 5 or more Spades. With only four Spades partner would double instead.

The argument might be presented that partner is coming in with only 4 good spades as a lead directing call, but there is no reason for this. First, partner is odds on to have the opening lead if opponents win the auction; and second the double would also show a spade holding. Consequently this argument holds no water *on this auction*.

If you are not playing *Negative Doubles* then partner's call should **either** show five Spades and at least a minimum responding hand (normally 5+ HCP in standard systems), **or** four spades and a hand worth at least two free bids, normally 9+ HCP or so in standard systems).

The reason for the two-way call is that with the stronger hand partner must make it clear that your side likely owns the auction, and can compete possibly to the 2- or 3-level. You can determine after partner's next call if he might have only 4 Spades, with extra points. Initially assume partner is only showing 4 spades in this case, though it is acceptable to make a single raise to 2 with only three-card support if you are minimum.


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