A responsive double is similar to a negative double, but it's used after an opponent opens the bidding and partner competes. A double by you is responsive when:
Your left-hand opponent opens a suit.
Partner enters the auction with a simple suit overcall or 3-suit takeout double.
Your right-hand opponent raises his partner's suit to the 2-level or 3-level.
Here are typical auctions:
(1) LHO Partner RHO You (2) LHO Partner RHO You (3) LHO Partner RHO You
1C 1S 2C DBL 1D DBL 3D DBL 1H DBL 2H DBL
The two unbid suits if partner overcalled a suit (Auction 1). Your double here shows a hand such as ♠92 ♥K9762 ♦AJ103 ♣64 .
The major suits if partner doubled and the opponents are bidding a minor (Auction 2). Double shows a hand such as ♠AQJ2 ♥Q1063 ♦843 ♣65 .
Over an artificial raise. This includes auctions such as 1S by LHO - DBL by partner - 2C by RHO (constructive spade raise) or 2H (transfer to 2S).
Over raises of weak two-bids. After 2H by LHO - DBL by partner - 3H by RHO, your double is responsive, showing the minors.
A preemptive jump -- 1H by LHO - 2S by partner - 3H by RHO
A conventional or artificial bid -- 1D by LHO - 2D by partner (Michaels, showing both majors) - 3D by RHO
A strong notrump -- 1H by LHO - 1NT by
partner - 2H by RHO.
In this auction, the standard meaning of a
double is penalty, but there's value in playing it as responsive.
Discuss this with your partner.
● If the opponents have not confirmed a "real" fit. In the auctions below, your double is penalty, not responsive:
(4) LHO Partner RHO You (5) LHO Partner RHO You (6) LHO Partner RHO You
1S Pass 1D Pass 1H DBL 1S DBL
Pass DBL 2S DBL 1S DBL 2D DBLIn (4), their suit has been bid twice, but it was not raised, so the opponents have not shown an 8+-card fit.
The same applies to (5). Because responder has bid, the opponents have shown more strength in this auction, but not a fit. The other difference is that partner's takeout double is for two suits, not three. When there are only two possible trump suits, just bid the one you prefer.
In (6), your RHO has bid a suit that partner has shown with his takeout double, so your double is penalty. It says you hold at least four decent spades and constructive high-card strength (9+ points).
Length in your suits: If partner has made a takeout double, 4-4 distribution is enough because you know he has support. If partner overcalled a suit, he may not have adequate support for either of your suits, so you'll usually want to have more length (5-4 or longer). Some pairs agree that after partner overcalls, your responsive double shows the unbid suits and tolerance for partner's suit (a doubleton).
Another agreement you might choose to add is that if partner has overcalled and there is only one unbid major (Auction 1), your responsive double promises 5 cards in that major and 4+ cards in the unbid minor. This gives partner a clear choice if he has three cards in each of your suits. It also increases the chances that you'll play in a higher-scoring major-suit contract.
The higher the level of the auction, the more strength you need. If partner can choose one of your suits at the 2-level (Auction 1), you can double with 6-7 points. If your double will force partner to bid at the 3-level (Auction 2), you should have a good 8 points or more.
Playing strength and suit quality are more important than high-card points. Stretch to compete if you have extra length and good honor strength in your suits.
At the four-level: A common agreement is to play responsive doubles are "on" through 3S, but doubles at higher levels can carry a similar meaning. After 1H by LHO - DBL by partner - 4H by RHO, you're unlikely to have a trump stack, so a double is not purely penalty. It suggests length in the minors, but mainly shows good high-card values. If opener doesn't have a good fit in one of your suits, he is free to pass for penalty.
Penalizing the opponents: If you have a "real" penalty double of their contract, you can't make an immediate double. You must pass and hope partner is strong enough to reopen with a double, which you can pass.
A responsive double shows two suits, not three. When partner makes a takeout double of the opponents' major suit (Auction 3), your double shows just the minors. If you hold the unbid major, the standard agreement is to bid it.
You can agree that a responsive double shows all three unbid suits after partner makes a takeout double, but this will complicate many auctions. You would rarely need this meaning. In Auction (3), partner's double shows shortness in their suit, so it's unlikely your hand will also be short enough in that suit to have length in all three of the other suits (your hand would have to be 4-1-4-4 or 4-0-5-4 or 4-0-4-5). Partner will have an easier rebid if he has just two suits to choose from instead of three.
© Karen Walker