ACBL02 - Doubles Ward Trumbull
Feb 28, 2011
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There are three categories of doubles in bridge: informative, lead directing and
penalty. The original function of a double was PENALTY only. However, as you will
see things have changed in the past 80 years.
1. Informative
A. Takeout Double
If the opponent has opened the bidding, a double in the next position should
indicate that the player has 13+ high card points (HCP) and implies that he/she
has support for the unbid major(s) (3-4 cards). Stronger HCP hands may not
have the support but will have their own long suit. The partner of the doubler is
expected to bid unless his right hand opponent (RHO) bids first taking him/her
off the hook....in which case he/she has a “free bid” (not obligated to bid).
a) Partner’s options without free bid
0-8 HCP - bid 4+ card suit (a major if possible) or NT YOU MUST BID
9-11 HCP - skip bid in 4+ card suit or notrump YOU MUST SKIP
12+ HCP* - cue bid the opener’s suit We have 25+ HCP.
[* or 9+HCP & singleton in opponents suit (rev 8/22/2019)]
b) Partner’s options with free bid
0-5 HCP - pass (except treat any-suit A/J or same suit K/Q is 6 HCP)
6+ HCP - with a 4 card unbid major make a Negative Double
- bid a 5+ card unbid major at the one level
- or notrump at one level
8-11 HCP - if no unbid major, bid a 4+ card minor suit or notrump at the
2 level
12+ HCP - cue bid the opener’s suit [Note that this cue bid can
mean 9HCP and 4-4-4-1 distribution with the 1 in
opponents suit. The partnership should choose one
or the other or both. See lesson ACBL10RTO.]
Item Free Bid HCP Open Bid Partner RHO Your Bid
-------- ----------- ------ ------------ ---------- ---------- -------------------------------------
a No 0-8 1 heart double pass 1 spade, 1 NT or 2 of minor
a No 9+ 1 heart double pass Skip Bid: to 2 spades, 2 NT
3 of minor
b Yes 0-5 1 club double 1 heart pass
b Yes 6+ 1 club double 1 heart Neg Dbl with 4 spades
1 spade (with 5+) or 1 NT
b Yes 8+ 1 club double 1 heart 2 of a minor or 2 NT
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
B. Repeat Takeout Double
Partner repeats the double at his/her next opportunity after you passed the first
takeout double.....usually before the opponent’s bidding has reached the game
level. You should bid now...even if you have no points. Otherwise, a pass turns
partner’s takeout double into a penalty double.....in which case you should be
loaded with the opponent’s suit. Partner has 4+ cards in all unbid suits.
Open Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid
------------ ----------------- ------------ --------------------------------------
1 club double 1 heart pass
2 hearts double pass 2 spades, 2 NT or 3 of minor
* pass
* You have hearts and/or HCP enough to set 2 hearts.
C. Reopening Double (or Dying Out Double) See ACBL02B
The opponent’s bid is dying out (usually 2 hearts or lower) and your partner
doubles indicating he/she thinks your pair has half the points. No need to skip
bid here. This is to play the hand or push them one level higher.
Open Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid
------------ ----------------- ------------ -------------------------------
1 club pass 2 clubs pass
pass double pass 2 of 4+ card suit or 2 NT
A reopening double should have 8-11 HCP.
D. Passed Hand Double
Partner has passed once and the opponents have bid one or two suits.
A double by partner at this point indicates he/she can support the unbid suits
and has 8-11 HCP.
Typically if it is two unbid suits, partner would have 4/4 or 4/5 in those suits.
For a 5/5 two suit hand, see the note at the end of this section.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
D. Passed Hand Double (continued)
Open Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid
------------ ----------------- ------------ --------------------------------------
pass pass 1 club pass
1 spade * double pass 2 diamonds or 2 hearts (with 4+
cards) or 1 NT
If 1 NT, partner should not expect
stoppers in their suits.
* Partner has diamond and heart support with 4/4 or 4/5 cards in both suits.
NOTE: This is an extension of the passed hand Unusual Notrump.
In the example above, if partner bid one notrump (unusual) instead of
doubling, it would indicate 5/5 in diamonds and hearts.
E. Negative Double See ACBL02N
When partner opens the bidding or makes a takeout double and then your
RHO makes a bid (overcall or response), a double by you is a Negative
Double. It indicates that you have four cards (see * exception below) in the
unbid major(s). At least one of the majors for sure.
Therefore, any major suit bid in lieu of a double guarantees a 5+ card suit.
0-5 HCP - Pass
6+ HCP - RHO at 1 level: - double for 4 card unbid major or bid 5+ card
major
*6-7 HCP - RHO at 2 level: - double for 4+ unbid card major
8+ HCP - RHO at 2 level: - double for 4 card unbid major or bid 5+ card
unbid major
Your
Partner Opens RHO Bid Your HCP Major Cards Your Bid
------------------- ------------ ------------- ---------------- ------------------------------
1 diamond 1 heart 0-5 pass (A/J & K/Q exc)
1 diamond 1 heart 6+ 4 spades double
1 diamond 1 heart 6+ 5 spades 1 spade
1 diamond 1 spade 6+ 4 hearts double
1 diamond 1 spade 6-7 5 hearts * double
1 diamond 1 spade 8+ 5 hearts 2 hearts
* Double is lesser of two evils.....want to show the 5 hearts but not enough
HCP points to bid 2 hearts.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
E. Negative Double continued)
Your
LHO Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your HCP Major Cards Your Bid
----------- ------------------ -------------- ------------- ---------------- --------------
1 heart double 1 NT 0-5 4 spades pass
1 heart double 2 clubs 6-7 4+ spades * double
1 heart double 2 hearts 8+ 5+ spades 2 spades
1 spade double 1NT 0-5 4 hearts pass
1 spade double 2 clubs 6-7 4+ hearts ** double
1 spade double 2 diamonds 8+ 5+ hearts 2 hearts
* Double is lesser of two evils.....may have a 5+ card spade suit but not enough
points to bid 2 spades.
** Same problem.....may have 5+ card heart suit but not enough points to bid
2 hearts.
F. Support Double
A companion to Negative Double is the Support Double. Where the Negative
Double is used in response of partner’s opening bid or Takeout Double;
the Support Double is used by the opening/takeout partner on the next
rebid to indicate he/she knows their team has at least 7 cards in response
partner’s suit.
Example
Partner opens the bidding and you bid a major (4 or more cards). Note that
partner only knows of four. So he/she should also have four to bid and support
that suit. However, if there is an intervening bid after the response bid, then
opening partner now has three options:
1. A bid of responder’s suit guarantees four card support.
2. A double (Support Double) guarantees three card support,
just in case responder has 5+ cards in the suit.
3. A bid of pass, notrump or any other suit indicates two-or-less cards in
responder’s suit.
Support doubles must be alerted.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
F. Support Double (continued)
Example (3)
S - x x x x x Responder
H - J x x 9 HCP
D - K Q x
C - Q J
S - A x x Opener/Takeout Doubler
H - K Q x x 14 HCP
D - A J x x
C - x x
Case 1 Case 2
1. Opener bids 1 diamond. 2. Opener bids 1 diamond
LHO bids 1 heart. LHO passes
Responder bids 1 spade (5+ spades) Responder bids 1 spade (4+ spades)
RHO bids or passes RHO overcalls 2 clubs
Opener can support with 3 spades Opener doubles (3 card supt.)
Case 3
If opener had 3. Opener bids 1 diamond
only 2 spades LHO bids 1 heart
Responder bids 1 spade (5+ spades)
RHO support bids 2 hearts
Opener doubles. (2 card support)
Note: The key to Negative Doubles and Support Doubles is that
the opponent’s intervening bid triggers the ability to use
these type doubles if applicable.
Alerting Negative or Support Doubles
Duplicate: Negative Double - Alerts are no longer required.
Support Double - In a situation where a Support Double is applicable,
either the double or failure to double must be alerted.
Rubber: Negative Doubles and Support Doubles (or failure to) should be alerted
since the opponents probably are not familiar with either.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
G. DOPE or D0P1
Your partner has invoked an Ace-Asking convention (Gerber or Blackwood)
and the opponents insert a bid before you can reply. You can use either of two
conventions to still indicate your number of aces.
DOPE - Double Odd or Pass Even
With 1 or 3 aces (or kings) you double
With 0, 2 or 4 aces (or kings) you pass
D0P1 - Double Zero or Pass One
With 0 or 4 aces (or kings) you double
With one ace (or king) you pass
D0P1 - If you respond the next higher suit, you are indicating 2 aces since 0/4 and
1 ace (king) are covered by D0P1.
NOTE - Your partnership must have a prior agreement on which if either of these
two conventions you are using.
Partner’s Bid Opponent’s Bid Convention Your Bid Meaning
----------------- -------------------- --------------- ------------ ------------------
4 clubs 4 diamonds DOPE pass 0 or 4 aces
(Gerber) 4 hearts 1 ace
4 spades 2 aces
4 notrump 3 aces
D0P1 double 0 or 4 aces
pass 1 ace
4 hearts 2 aces (next)
4 spades 3 aces (nxt + 1)
4 hearts DOPE pass 0 or 4 aces
double 1 ace
4 spades 2 aces
4 notrump 3 aces
D0P1 double 0 or 4 aces
pass 1 ace
4 spades 2 aces (next)
4 notrump 3 aces (nxt + 1)
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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1. Informative
G. DOPE or D0P1 (continued)
Partner’s Bid Opponent’s Bid Convention Your Bid Meaning
----------------- -------------------- --------------- ------------ ------------------
4 clubs 4 spades DOPE pass 0, 2 or 4 aces
(Gerber) double 1 ace
4 notrump 3 aces
D0P1 double 0 or 4 aces
pass 1 ace
4 notrump 2 aces (next)
5 clubs 3 aces (nxt + 1)
It ain’t easy, but it’s better than nothing.
H. Notrump - Stolen Bid Double
Typically this double is used when the opponents interfere over partner’s
opening 1 notrump bid with an overcall at the 2 level. Responder’s double
would have the following meaning:
Your Notrump
Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Conventions Your Bid Meaning
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------- ------------------------
1 notrump 2 clubs none double penalty
2D,2H or 2S none double penalty
2 clubs stayman double invoking stayman
* 2 diamonds jacoby trans double transfer to 2 hearts
* 2 hearts jacoby trans double transfer to 2 spades
* 2 spades ** minor trans double transfer to 3 clubs
* 3 clubs becomes Stayman.
** 3 diamonds becomes the transfer bid to 3 hearts.
The minor transfer is to 3 clubs. If responder has 6+ diamonds, he will then
bid 3 diamonds.
NOTE: All of these convention type doubles must be alerted by saying
“Stayman” or “Transfer”.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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2. Lead Directing
A. Notrump - Response Double
RHO has responded with a suit bid to his/her partner’s opening 1 notrump.
Double of 2 clubs (stayman) - lead clubs on opening lead
Double of 2 diamonds (jacoby transfer) - lead diamonds on opening lead
Double of 2 hearts (jacoby transfer) - lead hearts on opening lead
Double of 2 spades (minor transfer) - lead spades on opening lead
Double of 3 clubs (minor transfer) - lead clubs on opening lead
Opening Bid Partner’s Bid Responder’s Bid Your Bid Meaning
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------- ----------- --------------------
1 notrump pass 2 clubs (stayman) double lead clubs
1 notrump pass 2 diamonds (trans) double lead diamonds
1 notrump pass 2 hearts (transfer) double lead hearts
1 notrump pass 2 spades (transfer) double lead spades
B. Notrump - Our Suit Double
You and/or your partner have bid a suit and the opponents are going to be in a
notrump contract. A double by either of you means to lead your suit.
Note: See write-up ACBL07 and ACBL07X on opening leads.
Opponent’s Bid Partner’s Bid Responder’s Bid Your Bid Meaning
-------------------- ----------------- ----------------------- ----------- --------------
1 heart 1 spade 1 notrump pass
3 notrump double pass pass lead spades
C. Notrump - First Bid Suit of Dummy
When the opponents open the bidding with a suit or notrump and end up in a
notrump contract, a double indicates to lead the FIRST BID SUIT of DUMMY.
Note that your team will not have competed in the auction.
Opponent’s Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
-------------------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- ------------------------
1 club pass 1 heart pass
1 spade pass 2 diamonds pass
2 notrump pass 3 notrump double lead hearts (1st bid)
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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2. Lead Directing
D. Lightner Double
This one is for the pros.
A double of a slam contract asks partner to make an UNUSUAL lead. Usually
that lead is in the eyes of the beholder. Note though that it does indicate not to
lead our suit or trump. That gives the opening leader a 50/50 chance.
Opponent’s Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
-------------------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------------------------------
1 spade pass 2 clubs 2 hearts
3 spades pass 4 notrump pass 4 NT = Blackwood
5 spades pass 6 spades double * 5 Sp = 3 Aces or
= 2 Keycard controls
and spade queen
* Lightner Double - lead clubs or diamonds....don’t lead my heart suit.
E. Gerber/Blackwood Response Double
When the opponents are in the process of slam bidding using either Gerber or
Blackwood, you should be alert to the possibility of doubling the response for a
lead indication.
Example:
You have the ace and king of diamonds but never got into the auction. However,
when RHO replies 5 diamonds to his partner’s 4 notrump Blackwood query, you
can double for a diamond lead.
RHO You LHO Partner Comment
----------- ----------- ---------- -------------- ---------------------------
1 spade pass 3 hearts pass 19 HCP jump shift
4 hearts pass 4 notrump pass 4 NT Blackwood
5 diamonds double 6 hearts Double asks partner
to lead diamonds
Suppose instead of the ace/king of diamonds, you are void in diamonds. The
same bidding might apply.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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3. Penalty
A. Competitive Double
Both pairs have been competing in the auction and it appears that the
opponents have overbid or are taking a save.
LHO Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
----------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- ----------------------------
pass 1 heart 1 spade 3 hearts 3H = limit raise
3 spades 4 hearts 4 spades double penalty double
B. Opponent’s Passed Hands Double
Both opponents passed at their first opportunity and now are at the 4 or 5 level
in the bidding. Also your pair is not going to game or they’re vulnerable and
you’re not.
LHO Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
----------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- ------------------------------
pass 1 heart pass 1 spade
2 clubs 2 spades 3 clubs pass
pass 3 spades pass pass
4 clubs double penalty double
C. Spiraling Double
In a competitive auction, partner doubles below game level (usually because
he/she has their suit), and then RHO pulls it to another suit. You should also
double....even if you don’t have stoppers in the second suit. Typically the LHO
will panic and return the bid to the first suit which of course partner will double.
LHO Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
----------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- ------------------------------
pass 1 spade 2 clubs 2 hearts
3 diamonds double 4 clubs double begin spiral doubles
4 diamonds double end spiral doubles
The Spiraling Double takes guts by the second of your pair to double.
Believe me though, it really works. If you do, make the double quickly - like
you’ve got 100 honors in that suit.
ACBL02 - Doubles Feb 28, 2011
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3. Penalty
D. Notrump - Strong Suit Double
The opponents have reached a notrump contract and you have a strong suit
which you may or may not have bid. You also have an outside entry in another
suit. A variation of this double is where you have two good suits and have only
bid one of them. After the double, you lead the second suit which they are not
expecting.
LHO Bid Partner’s Bid RHO Bid Your Bid Meaning
----------- ----------------- ------------ ----------- -----------------------------
1 club pass 1 heart 1 spade
3 clubs pass 3 notrump double penalty - then lead
diamonds
NOTE: The double might not work if partner is on lead because (of course)
he/she wouldn’t know about your diamond suit.