Kaleidoscope Series - Lesson 3

Defensive Doubles

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      Consider this auction:

Opener	You	Responder	Advancer
1♥	2♦	2♥	3♦
4♥	??

      Not vulnerable versus vulnerable opponents,  a  5♦ sacrifice seems to be an option.   But how do we know if 4♥ will make ?   How do we know how much defensive strength Partner has ?   Only if playing defensive Doubles, can we have any chance of making an "educated" guess.  
      Now we look at this hand (Matchpoints, with them vulnerable) after 1♥-1♠-2♥:

Overcaller:	K Q J x x x	A x x	x x	x
Advancer A:	A x x	x	x x x x	Q x x x
Advancer B:	x x x	x x	K 10 9 x	A Q x

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1	1	2	?

Advancer should anticipate that the next bid from Opener may well be 4♥.   Overcaller will now be "on the spot", and will need to know if 4♠ is worth considering as a sacrifice.  
      Certainly, from Overcaller's perspective, 4♠ looks attractive.
But, there is a world of difference between the two Advancer hands A and B above.   With Advancer A,   4♠ should be an excellent sacrifice against 4♥.   Opposite Advancer B, though, Overcaller would likely want to try defending 4♥.  

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1	1	2	2
4	??

      But, both Advancers will likely bid 2♠ over 1♥-1♠-2♥. How does Overcaller guess which type Advancer has this time ?   The answer, in short, is to play Defensive Doubles.         Before we can comprehend Defensive Doubles, we need an understanding of competitive bidding strategy themes and expressions.   These expressions may help:
      1.   "Defensive Values" = Aces and Face cards other than the Queen or Jack of a suit, that WE are bidding, are "defensive values", since they may take a trick on defence.   If they play the hand, ♦Qxx has a much better chance of taking a trick, if we have not bid diamonds than if we have bid Diamonds.
      The King of our long suit is a defensive value only if the odds favour both opponents having two cards in our suit.   Hence, if we have more than 9 cards in our suit, the King is not a defensive value, since it will surely be ruffed if they play in a suit contract.   Since a 2-2 break is only a 40% chance, if we have a nine card fit the King of our long suit is more often not a defensive value.
      2.   "Defensively Orientated" = A hand with substantial HCPs and flattish distribution is liable to be more good on defence than in winning the contract.  
      Typically, a "defensively oriented" hand should be an odds-on favourite to take 2 or more tricks on defence.  
      3.   "Convertible Values" = Aces and Kings are liable to be good on offense (i.e., declaring) or defence.  
      This is not nearly as true of Queens and Jacks, which may be useless for offense, defence or both.   Aces and Kings, then, are considered "convertible" values.   Aces and Kings are also called [Neapolitan] "controls".   Any hand with many Aces and Kings, then, is "control rich" and therefore has a lot of "convertible values".  
      4.   "Offensive Values" = Offensive values include any extra trump length, any ruffing value, any face card in our long suit(s), and any Ace or King in any outside suit.  
      5.   "Offensively Orientated" = Any hand that has a lot of offensive values is deemed to be offensively oriented.   Typically, an offensively oriented hand will have fewer than 2 defensive tricks if they should declare the hand.  

1. After 1♦-1♠-2♦, rate the following hands as "defensively" or "offensively" oriented:

   a.	J x x	K Q x x	x x	K x x
   b.	K Q x x	J x x	x x	K x x
   c.	A x x x	K 10 x x	x x x	Q
   d.	K Q x x	K 10 9	x x x	Q x

2. You would never raise, after 1♦-1♠-Dble  with this hand.
   x     x x x x     x x x     x x x x
   If you had to choose, though, would you consider this hand offensive or defensive ?

      Playing Defensive Doubles affects how Advancer (the partner of the Overcaller) shows support (3+ cards) or "tolerance" (2+ cards) for Overcaller's suit.  
      First, we operate from the understanding that Advancer's entry into the auction is very dangerous, if she/he does not have support for Overcaller's suit.
      When playing Defensive Doubles, such an Advancer will have to bid *beyond* partner's suit.   e.g.,

West North East South 1 2 2 ??

—   3 supports Diamonds,          3 or 4 would not.

      Defensive Doubles come into effect in competitive auctions only (i.e., when Opener's partner, "Responder", has made a negative Double or a free suit bid).   Any bid by Advancer, then, up to and including Overcaller's suit, suggests support.   In such instances, the following rules apply:
      Any raise, *including a single direct raise*, shows an offensively oriented hand.   If the opponents bounce to game, Advancer's vote is deemed to suggest a sacrifice.   e.g.,

West North East South 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ 4♥ ??

2♠ = Offensively oriented raise.     Overcaller should feel free to bid 4♠,   knowing that this is Advancer's preference.

      Any suit bid below Overcaller's bid is lead-directing, but shows good defensive strength — no interest in sacrificing, if the opponents stumble into game.  

West North East South 1 1 2 2

2♥ = Spade tolerance.   "Lead Hearts!"

     Any Notrump bid below Overcaller's shows "scattered but significant defensive values" — no interest in sacrificing against any game contract.  

West North East South 1 1 Dble* 1NT

1NT = "Scattered defensive values."    *Negative Double.

      Any Double shows defensive strength (no interest in sacrificing against a game contract) but no room to make the appropriate lead directing or "scattered values" free bid.  

West North East South 1 1 2 Dble

Dble = Heart support.   Defence.

      A Redouble of a Negative Double is also defensive, suggesting the Ace or King of Overcaller's suit — especially at the 1-level.   This is called a "Rosencrantz" Redouble.  

West North East South 1 1 Dble* Rdble

Rdble = ♥K/Ace.   Defence.

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      To appreciate the effect of playing Defensive Doubles, consider this common scenario:

West North East South 1 1 2 Dble 3NT Pass Pass Pass

Dble = Spades: "Don't lead Hearts !"     (else 2♥ here)

      Any other lead would have handed them 600.   While one opponent checks you for wires, you explain to the other that Partner's Double and the 3NT bid essentially eliminated any other lead from serious consideration.   The opponents don't seem mollified, though...   :)

1. After 1♠-2♦-2♠, with neither side vulnerable, what is your call, if holding:

   (a)	A Q J 9	A x x	x	x x x x
   (b)	J x x	K Q J x x	Q x x	Q
   (c)	10 x x x	J	Q x x x	Q J x

2. Is a Double of a free 1NT bid Defensive ?   For example, is 1♣-1♥-1NT-Dble  Defensive or Penalty?

      Defensive Doubles come in direct seat only, and only immediately upon hearing of Partner's suit.   The following examples are NOT defensive Doubles, and do NOT suggest support for Overcaller's suit:

(1) West North East South 1 1 Pass Pass Dbld Pass 2 2

2♥ = Natural, 0-2 Spades.

(2) West North East South 1 1 Pass Pass 2 Pass Pass 2

2♥ = Natural, 0-2 Spades.

      The Defensive Double structure does not apply, if RHO has just bid a natural 1NT freely over Partner's overcall.  

(3) West North East South 1 1 1NT Dble

Dble = Strong hand.   Penalty.

(4) West North East South 1 1 1NT 2

2♦ = Natural, NON-forcing.

(5) West North East South 1 1 1NT 2

2♠ = Competitive only.

      At unfavourable vulnerability (i.e., us vulnerable, them not), sacrificing is not usually an issue for us.   For this reason, instead of Advancer defining hir opinion about sacrificing, Advancer expresses hir attitute towards Overcaller leading their suit.
      We accomplish this by using Rosencrantz-style Doubles and Redoubles.  
      Over a Negative Double at the one-level, Advancer will raise with the Queen, and Redouble with the Ace or King.   A 1NT free bid shows scattered values — NONE of them in Overcaller's suit.   Many will use these same bids opposite a two-level overcall by Partner.   "How high shall we play our Rosencrantz Redoubles ?" is a good question to pose any new partner.
      This structure is used whenever there IS a NoTrump bid available.   After 1♣-1♦-1♥, a Double will promise the Diamond Ace or King, 2♦ will show the ♦Q (when vulnerable versus not) and 1NT will show scattered values with NO Diamond Ace, King or Queen.   We might describe the 1NT free bid by Advancer as showing "scattered values outside Overcaller's suit".  
      When there is not a NoTrump bid available, as over 1♥-1♠-2♥, the Double shows a "top honour" while the raise denies one.   The only question that remains is whether the Queen of Overcaller's suit should be considered a "top honour".   Many say that it should be, and will Double with the Ace, King or Queen.  
      Other pairs make a slight refinement here.   If it seems likely that the opponents will end up in a major suit, Advancer shows the Ace or King with a Double.   Only if it sounds as if the opponents are more likely to end up in NoTrump than a major (e.g., by bidding minors and/or NoTrump only) does Advancer show the Ace, King OR QUEEN with a Double.  

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(1) West North East South 1 1 2 2

2♠ = No Spade Ace, King or Queen.

      Here, without a Negative Double or major suit bid by Responder, there is little chance of Opener's side playing in a major.   So, 2♠, here, denies any of the top three Spades.  

(2) West North East South 1 1 2 Dble

Dble = ♠Ace, ♠King and/or ♠Queen.

      Because 2NT would bypass the Spade suit, we cannot distinguish the ♠Q from the King or Ace.  

(3) West North East South 1 1 Dble 2

2♠ = ♠Q.

      Over a Negative Double, we always have a NoTrump bid handy to show none of the top three honours.   Hence, a raise always shows the Queen.

(4) West North East South 1 1 Dble Rdble

Rdble = Spade Ace and/or King.

      A Redouble always shows the Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.

(5) West North East South 1 1 Dble 1NT

1NT = No Space Ace, King or Queen.

      NoTrump bids, when available, always deny any of the top three honours in Partner's suit.  

(6) West North East South 1 1 2 Dble

Dble = Spade Ace and/or King.

      Because there is not a NoTrump available here, and because the opposite has shown major suit interest, the Double here promises the Ace or King.   With the Queen (or less) Advancer could bid 2♠.  

      1.   After 1♠-2♥-2♠, vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, what is your call if holding:       Once you are comfortable with Defensive Doubles, you might consider adding "Snapdragon" Defensive Doubles to your arsenal.   Whenever Advancer has at hir disposal a 1NT call, to show scattered values in support of Overcaller's suit, a Double will show 4+ cards in any unbid major.   Snapdragon Defensive Doubles are not made at unfavourable vulnerability.

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(1) West North East South 1 1 1 Dble

Dble = 4+ Spades, defence,     Diamond tolerance.

(2) West North East South 1 1 2 Dble

Dble = Defensive only.

      The second auction is NOT a Snapdragon Double, since Advancer did NOT have the option of bidding in NoTrump to show scattered values.   2NT there would go beyond the Diamond suit.  

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      Some will play Snapdragon Redoubles instead of the Rosencrantz Redouble (showing an Ace or King in Overcaller's suit) except when VUL versus NOT.  

West North East South 1 1 Dble* RDble

Rdble = 4+ Hearts, defence,     Spade tolerance.

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      Snapdragon defensive Doubles are distinguished from normal Snapdragon Doubles in that defensive ones show defensive values and always promise tolerance for Overcaller's suit.
      Also, Defensive Snapdragon Doubles are slightly less common, since they only come up with Advancer has the option of bidding a "scattered values" NoTrump, when Advancer does not have 4+ cards in the unbid major.  

1. None vulnerable.   Playing Snapdragon Defensive Doubles, what is our call after 1♦-1♠-2♦ with:
   10 x x x     J     A 10 x x     K Q x
         Hint: Careful !   This is a trick question !   :)
2. Vulnerable versus not, playing Snapdragon Defensive Doubles, what is our call after 1♣-1♦-1♠ with:
   x x     K Q x x     10 x x x     K Q x
         Hint: Careful again !   Another trick question !
3. Both Vulnerable, playing Snapdragon Defensive Doubles, what is our call after 1♦-2♣-2♠ holding:
   K x     K J 10 x x     10 x x     Q x
4. Both Vulnerable, playing Snapdragon Defensive Doubles and Redoubles, what is our call after 1♦-1♥-Dble  holding:
   (a) A K Q          x x x     10 x x     Q x x
   (b) Q J 9 x x     x x x     K 10 x     A
         Hint: The Double *suggested* 4 Spades in Responder's hand.   It didn't *guarantee* 4 Spades in Responder's hand.

      Because they are not well known, or are known by other names, Defensive Doubles would have to be discussed thoroughly with any new partner.   Simply sitting down and saying "Responsive Doubles through 3♥, Pard ?" might be fine for Responder Doubles, but one does not start out with a new partner by asking: "Defensive Doubles, Pard?"
      In addition to discussion, Defensive Doubles will require practice.   One such discussion point would be whether a new suit at the three level beyond Overcaller's suit is forcing or not.  
     e.g., 1♣-1♠-2♥-3♦ — Forcing ?
      In standard treatments, any such 3-level free bid in a new suit would be forcing, but many Defensive Doublers play it as NON-forcing.  
      To recap then our actions BELOW Overcaller's suit:

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VUL versus NOT:

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Over a BID by RHO:

Double = Top Honour in Overcaller's suit.

Raise = No Top Honour in Overcaller's suit.

— "Top Honour" can mean Ace or King, OR Ace, King or Queen,

depending on whether 1NT is available, and whether or not

the opponents have shown Major-suit length.

NoTrump = No Ace, King or Queen in Overcaller's suit.

Over a Negative Double:

Redouble = Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.

Raise = The Queen of Overcaller's suit.

NoTrump = Denies Ace, King or Queen of Overcaller's suit.

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At any OTHER vulnerability:

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Over a BID by RHO:

Double = Defensive values.   Some play as Snapdragon.

Raise = Offensive values.

NoTrump = Scattered defensive values.

Over a Negative Double:

Redouble = Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.

NoTrump = Denies Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.

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At ALL vulnerabilities:

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New suits are always lead-directing, with defence.

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1. How do Defensive Doubles affect Advancer's actions with an INVITATIONAL raise ?   Say, with 13 points and good support for Overcaller's Spades after 1♦-1♠-2♦ ?   Hint: 3♠  is PRE-EMPTIVE.  
   
2. What do you bid, at MPs, non-Vul versus Vul opponents, after 1♦-1♠-2♦ with:

   (a)	10 x x	A J 10	x x x	K x x
   (b)	J 10 x x	x x x	x	Q x x x
   (c)	Q x x	x x x	x x	A K x x
   (d)	K J x x	x	A x x x	A x x
   (e)	K Q x	J x x	x x	J x x x
   (f)	10 x	Q J x x	A Q 10	K 10 x

3. Neither vulnerable, at MPs, what is your call after 1♠-2♦-2♥ holding:

   (a)	A 10 x	K x x	Q x x x	J x
   (b)	x x	A Q J x	J 10 x	K 10 x
   (c)	10 x x x	x	K J x x x	x x
   (d)	x x	A Q 10 x	K x x	A J 10

********* The Rubber Bridge Theory of Relativity ********* * * * High Card Points x I.Q.   Points = a constant * * * **********************************************************

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