In last month’s issue, we discussed the meaning of a double that’s made after an auction where the opponents have voluntarily bid game and we’ve passed throughout. The “book” definition of this double is that it’s lead-directing, asking for the lead of the first natural, non-trump suit that was bid by dummy.
There’s sound logic behind this guideline. A partner who has shown no values during the auction but then doubles the final contract usually has a defensive surprise – the most likely being well-placed honors over their side suit.
This aspect of standard bidding is so simple that it should be easy to recognize the auctions where the meaning applies and to determine which suit partner is requesting. It usually is, but there will be situations where you may have to do some extra thinking.
LHO Partner RHO You
(1) 1D * Pass 1H Pass
1S Pass 3H Pass
4H DBL
* (2+ diamonds)
(2) 1C
Pass
1H* Pass 1NT Pass
3NT DBL
* (Transfer response, shows 4+ spades)
(3) 1NT
Pass
2C Pass 2S Pass
3NT DBL
In Auction (1), there could be some confusion about whether the double asks for the lead of a diamond or a spade. Since 1D might be just two cards, you or partner might assume that spades is dummy’s first (and only) bid of a natural suit. You can discuss how to treat these “could be short” minor-suit openings, but the best way to avoid misunderstandings is to just define them as natural. This applies to any 1C or 1D opener that isn’t strong and artificial.
This agreement has the advantage of consistency and simplicity, but it also caters to partner’s most likely hand, which is one with strong diamonds. If he had strong spades, he probably would have overcalled 1S instead of passing 1D.
In (2), partner is asking for a spade, not a heart. Spades is the suit dummy promised, even though it was never bid. If partner had strong hearts, he could have doubled the artificial 1H response.
In (3), partner wants you to lead the suit that was implied, which is a heart, not a club. LHO’s 2C was Stayman, which is not a natural suit bid. However, the Stayman inquiry and subsequent auction offer strong evidence that LHO has a 4-card heart suit, so you should assume that’s dummy's natural suit.
And then there’s this variation:
LHO Partner RHO You
1D Pass 1H Pass
3D Pass 3NT Pass
DBL
Common sense and bridge logic always trump bridge rules. Here, although there’s no confusion about what dummy’s natural suit is, there’s also no point in leading the suit that rates to be declarer’s source of tricks.
Partner surely has diamond strength for his double, but he also needs values in other suits. Try to help set up outside tricks by making your best guess about which black suit to lead. If it’s a tossup – you hold ♠1094 ♥Q9754 ♦43 ♣1094, for example – think about the auction. One clue is that partner might have overcalled 1S if he had good spades, even a 4-card suit. That makes the ♣10 a bit more attractive. If you’re wrong, partner should be on lead early (and often) and may switch suits if it’s right.
© 2025 Karen Walker