Good opponents are always trying to mess with your nice comfortable auctions. What should you and your partner do
when the opponents intervene over your strong 2 ♣ opening? Do you have an agreement?
The standard treatment is: Pass is positive, Double is negative.
Both calls must be Alerted.
- Double is a "double negative," showing a bust hand with no ace or king, and usually less
than 5 HCP or so. If your partnership has a way to show a "double negative" after a 2♣ opening, this is how you show that hand over interference. Opener can pass, bid 2 NT to play, cue bid for takeout, or bid any suit game-forcing.
- Pass is a positive response forcing to game, showing at least an ace or king, or maybe lots of "quacks." A re-opening double by the 2♣ bidder is for takeout, usually a 2 NT opener with a poor stopper in the opponent's suit. Any other rebid by opener is natural and forcing to game.
- New suit: At least king-queen-fifth, forcing to game
THE PRINCIPLE: If you have a terrible hand, defending might be your last best chance for a plus score. Double suggests this might be our best place to play. Partner's 2♣ opening was forcing to game, so forcing passes are in effect when the opponents enter the auction.
Let's look at some examples after partner opens 2♣, and your RHO bids 2♥
♠ 6 5 4 ♥ J 3 ♦ Q 9 5 2 ♣ J 4 3 2
Double, showing a very poor hand.
Double, showing a very poor hand.
♠ 7 5 4 ♥ K 3 ♦ 9 8 5 2 ♣ J 4 3 2
Pass: positive, and forcing to game. You have at least a king, so let partner know that. You can bid notrump later if need be.
Pass: positive, and forcing to game. You have at least a king, so let partner know that. You can bid notrump later if need be.
♠ K 5 4 ♥ K 3 ♦ Q 9 5 2 ♣ K 4 3 2
Pass: positive, and forcing to game. Some might bid 2 NT (natural and forcing) but I prefer to give partner lots of bidding room. We are certainly heading for a slam, but first we need to figure out which slam; partner is in charge.
Pass: positive, and forcing to game. Some might bid 2 NT (natural and forcing) but I prefer to give partner lots of bidding room. We are certainly heading for a slam, but first we need to figure out which slam; partner is in charge.
♠ K Q 6 5 4 ♥ J 3 ♦ J 5 2 ♣ 4 3 2
Bid 2 ♠: positive, and forcing to game. Don't bid spades twice, though; partner will know you have five spades.
Bid 2 ♠: positive, and forcing to game. Don't bid spades twice, though; partner will know you have five spades.
♠ 5 4 3 ♥ K J 10 3 ♦ A 9 ♣ J 4 3 2
Pass: positive, forcing to game. You can bid notrump later. If partner re-opens with a takeout double, you'll have to choose between 4 NT (quantitative invite) or 6 NT. At favorable vulnerability, you might consider passing partner's double to collect the sure profit of at least +500.
Pass: positive, forcing to game. You can bid notrump later. If partner re-opens with a takeout double, you'll have to choose between 4 NT (quantitative invite) or 6 NT. At favorable vulnerability, you might consider passing partner's double to collect the sure profit of at least +500.
BONUS MINUTE: Does your partnership play Jacoby Step Responses or Control Step Responses? If so, use Double and Pass as the first two steps in your response structure. Double shows 0-3 HCP or 0 controls, Pass shows 4-6 HCP or 1 control, the cheapest bid shows the next step, and so on. Remember that any of these calls must be alerted.
-- Ray
Better Bridge in 5 Minutes. Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)
