Not long after I started playing duplicate, I became interested in the bidding gadgets that other pairs were using. When I asked a more experienced partner if we could add some of these bids to our system, he cautioned that I wasn’t “ready” (Translation: “You need to stop making mistakes with the stuff we’re already playing.”).
He did, however, explain the purpose of the conventions and the meanings of the bids, which was all the information I needed at the time.
Even if you prefer a simple system, it’s helpful to keep up with current bidding trends -- not just because a partner might ask you to play a popular convention, but because you’ll probably encounter opponents who do. A working knowledge of their methods will give you a better understanding of the types of hands they’re showing.
Modern doubles are especially difficult to keep track of because there are so many different meanings. The general idea is that there aren’t as many penalty doubles as there used to be. When in doubt about the meaning of an opponent’s double, if the auction is at the 3-level or lower -- and if you’re playing against an experienced pair -- it’s very likely that it is not purely penalty.
You may also find it beneficial to become familiar with the most widely used conventional doubles. In previous issues, we covered some of the more common agreements, many of them so popular that experienced players consider them standard. Here are some other uses that are played by many pairs:
LHO Partner RHO You
(A) 2C 2S DBL
(B) 1NT 2C* 2D** DBL
* (Artificial, one long suit)
** (Transfer to hearts)
(C) 1H 3D DBL
When your RHO competes over partner’s strong 2C opening (Auction A), your double can be used to show an ultra-weak, “double negative” response – worse than two queens (or as some define it, no ace or king). If your RHO doubles, redouble has the same meaning. If you instead pass, it shows positive values and is forcing to game.
The main advantage of this agreement is that opener has immediate information about game prospects. There’s also no need for an awkward second-negative response later.
In Auction (B), there’s little value in using this double to show a diamond suit or ask for a lead. Instead, many pairs play this as “Bid your unknown suit”, showing constructive values and support for unbid suits. Here, RHO has shown hearts, so you’re promising at least three cards in clubs, diamonds and spades. If RHO had doubled 2C (whether it's penalty or intended as Stayman), you can redouble to send the same message.
This meaning applies any time partner has an unknown suit. If his 2C overcall is the DONT convention (clubs and another suit), your double of 2D would encourage him to compete in his second suit (diamonds or spades). In this situation, you might hold ♠A1054 ♥943 ♦Q952 ♣J3 .
A lesser-known but potentially valuable convention defines the double in Auction (C) as asking for a stopper in the opponent’s suit. Proposed by Marty Bergen, the “Thrump” (THRee notrUMP) double is used when partner opens one of a suit and your RHO preempts with 3D, 3H or 3S. It shows at least 10 points, no biddable 5-card major and no stopper in their suit.
The Thrump double solves the problem of what to respond with a hand such as ♠K4 ♥J6 ♦832 ♣AKJ974 . The disadvantage is that you no longer have a negative double available, but pairs who play this convention consider that an acceptable tradeoff. The reasoning is that when your auction has been jammed to the 3-level, looking for 3NT is more practical than showing a 4-card major – and even if you do have a major-suit fit, 3NT may play better.
These and other doubles with specialized meanings should be alerted. Keep in mind, though, that some pairs add their own variations – or invent totally new meanings – so if your opponents alert, it’s a good idea to ask for an explanation.
© 2024 Karen Walker