How would you interpret partner’s double in this auction?
LHO Partner RHO You
1D 1H
1S Pass 1NT Pass
Pass DBL
Beginners would probably pass, partly out of fear and partly because basic bridge teaches that if you’ve already made a bid, partner’s double is for penalty.
The answer isn’t as easy for experienced players whose systems include more specialized doubles. These options have improved bidding accuracy, but adapting to the modern meanings can be a challenge. Success requires a good understanding of doubles that have dual messages, including those called card-showing, cooperative, action and “Do Something Intelligent”.
Here are general tips for sorting out these meanings:
Start with standard definitions. The popular advice is “when in doubt, it’s takeout”. There are many situations, though, where there should be no doubt, even if you haven’t discussed the meanings. These include doubles that are already defined as penalty. Before you assume a takeout message, you should first rule out the possibility that partner intends his double as purely (or mostly) for penalty.
In the previous issue, we discussed the situations where there’s virtually universal agreement that a double is penalty. It’s important to have a good knowledge of these standard meanings. There are several, most with fairly simple definitions. Although there are a few where you might choose to make exceptions, you can’t make those decisions at the table and you have to trust that partner won’t, either.
If you’ve determined that partner’s double is penalty, your next decision is whether to pass or pull. Many of the standard penalty doubles are commands. Partner is not asking your opinion if he doubles their 1NT overcall or any interference after you’ve preempted.
After some of the other standard penalty doubles, you may be able to use your judgment. Partner expects you to pass, but if you have undisclosed offensive values – extra trump length, a very long suit, extreme shortness in the opponent’s suit -- you can choose to bid on. Vulnerability could also be a factor in your decision.
Evaluate other circumstances. The above auction doesn’t fit the description of any standard penalty double, so you have to look for other clues. It’s helpful to be familiar with the types of auctions and the specific conditions that are most suitable for takeout vs. penalty actions.
In general, an ambiguous double is more likely
to be some form of takeout when the auction offers a good combination of these
features:
The auction is at the 1- or 2-level.
The opponents have found a fit.
Our side has not confirmed a fit or bid a natural notrump.
The doubler is in the pass-out seat.
There are at least two unbid suits.
The doubler has not made a bid that limits his high-card strength.
If you apply these to the example above, the arguments for treating the double as takeout are that the auction is low, we haven’t found a fit and partner is in the pass-out seat. Although it seems unlikely, partner could have fair values and the type of hand that he deemed worth showing only if the opponents stopped low.
The arguments for the penalty meaning are that the opponents don’t have a fit and there’s only one unbid suit. Another way of interpreting partner’s previous pass is that it suggested modest values and therefore limited his hand.
The best test: Without compelling evidence to support a takeout or penalty meaning, how do you solve this problem? If you’re still not sure, try imagining a hand partner might hold if he intended his double as takeout. It should be a hand that’s not just consistent with his previous bidding, but one that couldn’t be described in a clearer way.
Make your best guess and we’ll offer a solution in the next issue.
© 2024 Karen Walker