Lead-directing doubles

Lead-directing doubles can be a big help to partner, but they can also backfire. Be sure you have the “right” suit quality and that you’re asking for the “right” lead. 

Here are some common situations where you might consider making a double to suggest an opening lead.
  

(1)	LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	1H	Pass	2C*	DBL

         * (Stayman)

 

(2)	LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	1S	Pass	3S	Pass
	4C*	Pass	4D*	DBL

      * (Artificial control cuebids for slam)

 

(3)	LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	1H	Pass	4D*	DBL

       * (Splinter raise - singleton or void)

 

(4)	LHO	Partner	RHO	You
				1D
	1S	Pass	2D*	DBL

     * (Good raise of overcaller’s suit)

The lower the level of their artificial bid, the stronger the suit you need to double.

• A double of a Stayman 2C or a transfer bid (Auction 1) should promise 5+ cards and at least three of the top five honors -- a suit such as ♣KQ1086 .

• A double of a Blackwood response or high-level cuebid (Auction 2) doesn’t require a long or strong suit. It shows the ace or king and a reason to believe that suit is the best opening lead.

A double of a shortness bid (Auction 3) should usually be a suit headed by the Ace-King. You may want to consider playing “two-way” doubles of splinter bids:

• If you’re vulnerable, double is lead-directing (usually headed by Ace-King).

• If you’re not vulnerable, double shows 6+ cards and suggests a possible sacrifice.   

If the opponents cuebid a suit you’ve bid naturally (Auction 4), be cautious about doubling just for a lead. Partner will usually lead your suit anyway, so use double to describe something extra. Many players like to use this double to send the message "Good hand, good suit".

• If you’ve already shown 5+ cards (by opening 1H or 1S or making an overcall), a double of their cuebid shows a good suit with extra length and extra values. It encourages partner to compete.

• If you’ve opened 1C or 1D, a double of their cuebid of your suit shows a good 6+-card suit (or a very strong 5-card suit) and extra values.

• Another option is to agree that a double says “Don’t lead my suit”.

Tip:  Don’t play “stolen-bid” doubles. If partner opens 1NT, you need to have a penalty double available. The exception is if partner opens 1NT and your RHO overcalls 2C; in this auction, it's best to play your double as Stayman.

Tip:  Always ask yourself who will be on lead. If the auction suggests that you’ll be the opening leader, you should usually pass. Announcing where your strength is will help declarer more than partner.

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