DOUBLES SUMMARY Double is the most flexible bid in modern bridge, and therefore the easiest to confuse. When is a double for penalty? If it’s not, what does it mean? Takeout Double. The most common double is for takeout, meaning, I have some “Partner, points and whatever suits haven’t been bid by the opponents”. [1 Dbl 4 Spade cards and some Clubs/Diamonds in an opening hand – …]. [1♣ P 1 P 1NT P P - Dbl Balancing Double with 4 cards, some – – – – – …] Diamonds and 8 to 11 points. With 12+ points, she would have doubled initially. Negative Double. A made in 3rd seat to show both unbid suits. “takeout” [1♣ 1♥ 4 Spade cards, some Diamonds and 8+ points. Dbl…] – – Reopening Double. Made by opener when an overcall is followed by 2 passes: [1♣ 2♥ P P Dbl…] A responder with good Hearts can leave this Double in. – – – When playing Negative Doubles, opener must bid again or reopen the bidding with a double as shown here, allowing partner to pass for penalty if reasonable. Redouble. Used by 3rd seat to show a 3-piece Limit Raise. [1♥ Dbl Redbl With 4 trumps, responder would bid a Jordan 2NT. – – …] Support Double. Made by the minor suit opener when partner has bid 1 of a major and 4th hand bids. Shows exactly 3-card major suit support of responder's suit. [1♣ P 1♥– 1♠ Dbl . . .] With 4 Heart cards, opener would raise. Double shows 3. – – Support Redouble. Same as Support Double, except when 4th hand doubles instead of bidding. [1♣ P 1♥ Dbl ReDbl. . . ] Same meaning: I have 3 Hearts” – – – “Partner, Responsive Double. Made by 4th hand when partner has made a takeout double and 3rd hand raises opener. Shows all unbid suits and asks takeout doubler to choose. [1♣ Dbl 2♣– Dbl 8+ HCP and both major suits. – – …] Lead Directing Double. Doubles of conventional bids are lead directing. [1NT P 2♦# Dbl lead a Diamond, partner” – – – …] “Please
DOUBLES SUMMARY Double is the most flexible bid in modern bridge, and therefore the easiest to confuse. When is a double for penalty? If it’s not, what does it mean? Takeout Double. The most common double is for takeout, meaning, “Partner, I have some points and whatever suits haven’t been bid by the opponents”. [1 – Dbl …]. 4 Spade cards and some Clubs/Diamonds in an opening hand [1♣ – P – 1 – P 1NT – P – P - Dbl …] Balancing Double with 4 cards, some Diamonds and 8 to 11 points. With 12+ points, she would have doubled initially. Negative Double. A “takeout” made in 3rd seat to show both unbid suits. [1♣ – 1♥ – Dbl…] 4 Spade cards, some Diamonds and 8+ points. Reopening Double. Made by opener when an overcall is followed by 2 passes: [1♣ – 2♥ – P – P Dbl…] A responder with good Hearts can leave this Double in. When playing Negative Doubles, opener must bid again or reopen the bidding with a double as shown here, allowing partner to pass for penalty if reasonable. Redouble. Used by 3rd seat to show a 3-piece Limit Raise. [1♥ – Dbl – Redbl …] With 4 trumps, responder would bid a Jordan 2NT. Support Double. Made by the minor suit opener when partner has bid 1 of a major and 4th hand bids. Shows exactly 3-card major suit support of responder's suit. [1♣ – P – 1♥– 1♠ Dbl . . .] With 4 Heart cards, opener would raise. Double shows 3. Support Redouble. Same as Support Double, except when 4th hand doubles instead of bidding. [1♣ – P – 1♥ – Dbl ReDbl. . . ] Same meaning: “Partner, I have 3 Hearts” Responsive Double. Made by 4th hand when partner has made a takeout double and 3rd hand raises opener. Shows all unbid suits and asks takeout doubler to choose. [1♣ – Dbl – 2♣– Dbl …] 8+ HCP and both major suits. Lead Directing Double. Doubles of conventional bids are lead directing. [1NT – P – 2♦# – Dbl …] “Please lead a Diamond, partner”
BiddingTechniques.docx