NEGATIVE DOUBLES

As the name implies, this is a double that is NOT made for penalty, but is made for take-out. It is made with a hand that wishes to compete in the auction and: -

1. Has no defensive cards in the enemy suit(s).

2. Has no other good bid to make

When do you use a negative double, and how do you know it is NOT meant as a penalty double?

You hear partner open. Opposition bid a suit. You double. This is saying to partner:

• I have not got the enemy suit held.

• I do not have 3 -card support for your major.

• I do have 4 cards of the other major, if one major has been mentioned. Or 4 cards in each of the majors, if neither have been mentioned so far.

• I do have minimum of 6 points at the one level, or minimum of 8/9 points at the two level. There is no upper level. You show extra strength with subsequent bidding.

• I have not got any other good bid to make. This is because the opposition has prevented me making the bid I would have made had they not intervened.

Let us look at some hands.

Your partner opens the bidding, and the opponents overcall. What can you bid with each of the following hands?

• 1♥ ---2♣---?

You hold ♠ Kxxx ♥ Jx ♦ AQxx ♣ xxx.

You can’t double for penalty.

You can’t bid NT without a club stopper.

You can’t support partner with only 2 hearts.

You can’t bid 2♠ , as this would show a 5-card suit.

This then, is the perfect hand for using the negative double.

• 1♠ --2♦ --?

You hold ♠ Jx ♥ KQxx ♦ xxx ♣ AJ10x

Same situation, there is no other good bid other than a negative double.

• 1♦ --1♠ ---?

You hold ♠ xx ♥ KJ10x ♦ Kxx ♣ AJxx

Here you can’t raise partner as he may only have a 3-card suit. Again use negative double to tell partner about your 4-card Heart holding.

• 1♦ --1♥ --?

You hold ♠ Jxxx ♥ xx ♦ AJx ♣ Qxxx

My recommendation is to bid 1♠ and NOT x. you may prefer to play this response of 1♠ to show a 5-card suit. Many partnerships play that way. My reasoning is that a negative double should only be used when there is not a natural bid available. Without the intervention you would bid 1♠ , and you can still do so now without taking up extra bidding space. However as long as both you and your partner agree, play whichever you feel happiest.

So if the opposition bid a suit and I WANT to double, what can I do?

You hear your partner open 1♥ . Next hand overcalls 1♠ .

Your hand is…..♠ AKJxx ♥ x ♦ KJx ♣ xxx.

What can u bid? You can’t double, as this would be a negative double showing 7 plus points in the minors. You PASS knowing partner MUST bid again. Why must he?

In order to protect your hand that wanted to double.

You hope he reopens with a double (for take out, see below). This you would now convert to a penalty double by passing.

1. Low level doubles are always for take out if the doubler’s partner has not spoken.

Example 1♥ …1♠ …pass…pass

                X…

This is for take out

OR is a reopening double. You make this double in order to protect partner’s hand that may wanted to double for penalty. See the hand above.

We, as responder to the opener know partner has 5 hearts (assuming you are playing SAYC or 2/1). Rather than just competing with 2 Hearts, he is telling you he is very short in spades (2 maximum) and has support for the minors. Possible shape is 1/5/4/3.

4. IF responder has bid, then all subsequent bids are penalties.

Example 1♠ pass 1NT pass

                X

This is penalty, as partner has limited his holding with his bid of1NT.

NB. When a hand has doubled a major for a take out: -

He GUARANTEES a 4 card holding in the other major.

There are two exceptions to this rule.

Let me show you a hand: -

♠ x

♣ AKx

Change the hand and leave out the K♣ and you are not strong enough to bid 5 ♦ over 4♠ . The ONLY bid you can make over 1♥ without that extra King is 2♦ (assuming you are playing Weak Jump Shifts of course).

Or

♥ XX

♦ Axx

1♦ -- p-- 1♠ -- 2♥