My introduction to the SOS redouble was at a club game on my college campus. The opponents made a penalty double of my opening 1C bid and my partner redoubled, unaware that I had no idea what his bid meant.
After I passed and went down 1000, partner patiently explained the rescue meaning of his redouble. He also created a monster of sorts. Armed with this new bidding tool, I began making frequent and highly dubious use of it in auctions where my partners didn’t need to be rescued or, worse, where they misunderstood my intentions.
I soon learned that although these rescue situations are rare, the SOS redouble is nevertheless an overused bid. It’s not an easy escape from a bad contract, and its use is sometimes based on two false assumptions: “Any contract has to be better than this one” and/or “Partner must have support for one of my suits.”
SOS redoubles after our opening bid
When used wisely, the SOS redouble can, however, be quite valuable. In general, the lower the contract, the more strongly you should consider it. The opponents won’t double a low-level contract unless they have a big trump stack, and by running, you can often find a better fit, or at least a suit where the trumps are breaking more evenly.
One of the most common uses of the SOS redouble is after partner’s opening one-bid has been doubled for penalty. To redouble, you usually need at least four cards in all unbid suits. Partner may be forced to run to a 3-card suit, so you want to be sure you’re landing in at least 7-card fit.
In some cases, you can use the redouble successfully when you have length in just two of three unbid suits. If partner’s 1H opening is doubled for penalty, you can redouble with S-52 H-2 D-J10864 C-Q10654
If partner bids 1S, you’ll bid 2C to ask him to choose again between clubs and diamonds.
When not to redouble
There are many situations where it will work out better to sit the double or bid your own suit, even if you have the right distribution for a redouble. When in doubt, think twice about using the SOS redouble if:
You’ll increase the level of the contract. In the auction above, bid 1S instead of redoubling if you hold S-J10863 H-Void D-J943 C-10872
This keeps the auction low and communicates less doubt (and fear) than a redouble sequence. It’s possible you have a fit in a minor, but your opponents will be more likely to let you off the hook if you escape at the one-level.
Partner is doubled in 1NT and you have a relatively balanced hand. Even if you have a conventional rescue sequence, it’s often best to sit the double if you lack a five-card suit. A redouble will take you to the two-level, probably in a 4-3 fit, and unless the trump suit plays two tricks better, you’re no better off than you were in 1NT.
Note that after partner opens 1NT, your redouble is SOS only if you’re in the passout seat (your LHO has doubled). If partner opens 1NT and your RHO doubles, a redouble should be for “business”, showing invitational-or-better values.
Partner has promised a 6-card or longer suit. If partner has bid a suit twice or made a preemptive bid, you’re much less likely to find him with adequate support for your suits. You’ll rarely want to force partner to choose another suit if he’s opened a 3-bid, and virtually never if he makes a 4-bid.
The same logic applies to weak 2-bids, but there are cases where it can be wise to run. If partner’s weak 2D opening is doubled for penalty, you have a good redouble with S-AJ103 H-Q9843 D-Void C-KQJ5
Two two-level contracts are available, and since partner will escape to his cheaper 3-card suit, you may even find a decent 5-3 heart fit.
Redoubles after partner overcalls
Suppose you hold S-J102 H-J8654 D-4 C-A1072 and the auction goes:
LHO
Partner RHO
You
1S
2D
Pass Pass
Double Pass
Pass ???
Do you sit the double, or do you run? More about SOS redoubles after overcalls in the next installment.
© 2005 Karen Walker