RainBow Series – Lesson VIII

Competing with Doubles

      More MatchPoints are won and lost in competitive auctions than in all the slams and games put together.  The reason is the frequency of such auctions and the relative ease of bidding games.  Competitive decisions are tough !
      Undercompetiting may not cost us many IMPs.  The difference between allowing them to make 110 in 2♠ versus our –100 at the three level means nothing at IMPs, but can mean the difference between a near top and a near bottom score at MatchPoints.  This is because, at Matchpoints, it is not the size of the difference in score that matters; it is the only that fact of a difference in score that will gain or lose us MatchPoints. 

      The more tools that we have to make such decisions in contested auctions, the better.  This lesson, though, will be the most difficult in our Rainbow Series, and will require the closest attention.  No other lesson will affect your results more dramatically than this one !  

      The most flexible tool in competing is the Takeout Double in its myriad forms.  Unfortunately, this is also one of the most misunderstood and misapplied bids in our arsenal.  For now, let us establish general rule #1 for low level doubles:

"When in doubt, assume any double of a part score to be TAKEOUT and REMOVE it !"

      In order to understand when a double is for takeout, we must first understand when it is for Penalty.

      The SAYC-OK Notes say:

      For our purposes, this excerpt suggests one simple rule for takeout doubles:

"Any double of THEIR agreed suit is for Takeout unless Doubler has trap-passed OR unless Partner has promised 2+ cards in their suit."

      Consider these auctions:

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Overcaller
1S	Pass	1NT	2D
Double	.	.	.

      In the first instance, the double of 2♦ is for takeout in many modern partnerships.  Yes, Partner has bid 1NT, but it was as a response to 1♠ and did not suggest — let alone guarantee — a flat hand.
      The 1NT reply to 1♠ simply denies Spade support and shows 6-9 points.  1NT Responder could be 2-5-1-5 !   Traditional players, however, will treat the double as Penalty (i.e., any time both players have bid and they intervene), so you may wish to discuss this with your partner. 

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1H	1NT	2H	Double

      In the 2nd auction, the double *is* for penalty in many modern partnerships, since 1NT overcall *did* promise a flat hand, including at least 2 cards in Hearts.

      So how does Partner "promise 2+ cards in their suit" ? 
      One way is with a 1NT opening bid, overcall or rebid (but not a 1NT response, as we saw above).  Another way is via a takeout double of another suit.  To illustrate, here a double of 1♠ is penalty, because Partner's takeout double implied 4 Spades:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1D	Double	1S	Double

      And, of course, the most obvious way to show more than one card in a suit is to bid it !  

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2S	Double	.	Penalty.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2S	Pass	Pass	–
Double	.	.	.	Penalty.

      «What does "trap pass" mean ?» you may ask. 

      Sometimes RHO opens our best suit, catching us with a good hand.  In such instances, when we Pass our RHO's first bid, and then double RHO, when RHO rebids that suit, this is penalty. 
      We also need an opening bid for such business double; any such double by a passed hand is for takeout. 

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	–
2S	Double	.	.	Penalty — else double last turn !

      In order to have a profitable penalty double of such a low-level contract, we would need to be stacked in Right Hand Opponent's suit.  Hence, such a "pass then double" will be penalty, only if we are doubling RHO.  It does not apply if doubling LHO's suit in the passout seat. 

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Doubler	Explanation of Action
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	–
2S	Pass	Pass	Double	Balancing (i.e., takeout).

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
.	Pass	Pass	Pass	–
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	–
Pass	Double	.	.	Balancing by a passed hand.

     

      1.  A double of Opener's suit doesn't promise 2+ cards in the three unbid suits !   Wouldn't we double 1♣ with:

A K Q x x x x

—

A K x

A x x

... simply because we are too strong for a 1♠ overcall ? 
      So why should 1♣-Double-1♥-Double be penalty ? 

      Consider these two situations:

Double in Direct Position Opener Doubler Responder Advancer 2S Double .  .

Double in Balancing Position Opener Advancer Responder Doubler 2S Pass Pass Double

      The first double shows a significantly better hand than the second double.  But why ?

      The difference is in the level of risk.  The first Doubler didn't know whether or not Responder had a good hand.  This Doubler's partner could have held nothing.  If this is the case, this Doubler is in very hot water !   Hence, this Doubler needs a good hand — 15+ points — to be "jumping in with both feet" here. 

      The second Doubler knows something that the first one didn't: that Responder does not have a great hand (since Responder did not make a move opposite Opener's 2♠ bid). 
      This second Doubler has some reason, then, to suspect that hir partner holds some strength and that there is a "balance of power" at work here.  This second Doubler, then, is "balancing" in the passout seat in order to scramble for a makeable contract and/or bump the opponents up one level in the hopes of setting them. 
      This explains the difference between a "direct" double (first example) and a "balancing" one (second example).

      Doubles and bids in the"balancing" seat, then, must often be "discounted" a few HCPs.  Partner must be careful not to get too excited, since the balancing partner is already counting on some strength from partner !  

x x x

Q x x x

A x x

K J x

      After 2♠-Double-Pass, jump to 4♥.  But after 2♠-Pass-Pass-Double, you must content yourself with only 3♥. 

     

      Parenthetically, we see the same discounting with our 1NT overcalls: 1♥-1NT promises 15-18 points, but 1♥-Pass-Pass-1NT promises only 10-12 (not vul) or 12-14 (vul) points and a flat hand with little interest in the majors (else, a takeout double).

Hand #1:	K 10 x	A J x	Q 10 x x	A Q x
Hand #2:	K 10 x	A J x	Q 10 x x	Q x x

      With Hand #1, we might overcall 1NT directly over RHO's 1♣, 1♦, 1♥ or 1♠ opening bid.  Hand #2 will bid 1NT, also, but only if Opener's bid is passed around to it. 

     

      Consistent with the Law of Total Tricks, the time to defend is when you do not have a good fit.  Here is an extreme example:

Opener:	A K x	x	A K x x x x	K Q x
Responder #1:	x x x	x x x	x x x	x x x x
Responder #2:	x x x x	x x x	x	x x x x x x

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1D	1H	Pass	2H
3D	3H	Pass	Pass
Double	Pass	???	.

      Responder #1 cannot pass the double here, since Responder's ♦xxx should tell hir that Opener's ♦AK may not take tricks and there will certainly not be a Diamond ruff by the defence !   Bid 4♦ here. 

      Responder #2, however, can pass the double, knowing that Opener's Diamond tricks are far more likely to cash, and that a 3rd round ruff is even possible if the Diamonds break 3-3 !  

      One of the more useful weapons at our disposal is a type of takeout double known as a "Maximal Double".  Maximal doubles occur whenever both sides have an established fit.  Here, doubling the opponents for penalty is not likely to be profitable. 

      In older texts, the Maximal double was called a "Competitive Double".  But "Competitive" was a complete misnomer, since the double does not serve to compete the part score.  Rather, it aims towards game.  To make the nomenclature even more confusing, "Competitive" doubles then migrated over time to mean something else entirely !  

      For our purposes, then, we will speak of them as "Maximal" doubles only.  Whenever you hear the expression "Maximal Double", then, think "Game-Inviting Double".  Our general rule here is:

"When both of us have an agreed suit, any double below the level of 3-of-our-suit by the person who first bid our suit is maximal, inviting game in our agreed suit.  Bidding our suit without such a Double is competing, denying game interest."

      This distinction between "MAXIMAL" and "COMPETING" is vital. Remember: only the player who will be declarer can make such a double. 

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	2S	–
3H	Double	.	.	"Maximal", Invites 4S.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	2S	–
3H	3S	.	.	Competing.  Does not invite 4S.

Advancer	Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Explanation of Action
.	1C	1H	1S	–
2H	2S	3H	Double	"Maximal",  Invites 4S.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1H	2C	2H	–
3C	Double	.	.	"Maximal",  Invites 4H.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1H	2C	2H	–
3C	Pass	Pass	Double	Optional.  Partner bid Hearts 1st !

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	Pass	–
Pass	2S	3H	Double	Penalty.  No fit is established !

      Most experienced players play competitive doubles below the level of 3-of-their-agreed-suit.  If we switch the auction a little:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2H	2S	3H	–
3S	Double	.	.	Optional.  Too high for "Competitive"

... then the double is optional, asking Partner to Pass unless Partner has extra trump length or a very distributional hand. 
      By "distributional" in this sense, we should discount any shortness in their suit, since Partner's double suggests that Partner has length in their trump and is therefore already aware of your shortness. 

      Generally speaking, a double in the balancing (i.e., passout) seat after both sides have found a fit is co-operative, not competitive. 

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1S	2C	2S	–
3C	Pass	Pass	Double	Co-operative (i.e., optional).

In the above example hand, Advancer's double could not invite game, given the fact that Advancer limited hir hand with the 2♠ bid, and because Overcaller has limited hir hand by passing 3♣. 
      Frankly, if Overcaller can't make a Maximal Double directly over 3♣, how can they be interested in 4♠ here ?   Obviously, they can't be.  Hence, the double is co-operative, asking partner to pass or, if very weak or holding extra Spades, remove to 3♠. 

      There is some question about whether or not Maximal Doubles are part of SAYC-OK.  There is no mention of them in the SAYC-OK Notes.  Does this mean that they are not part of the SAYC arsenal ? 

      No.  Many integral aspects of SAYC bidding are not mentioned in these SAYC notes.  A careful study of the section on what doubles are penalty finds these types of auctions conspicuous by their absence, which means that doubles in such instances show extra values.  In turn, this suggests that they may be Maximal or Co-operative. 

      Nevertheless, this is something that you must discuss with your partner.  Without such a discussion, assume that all such doubles are co-operative ... and apply general rule #1 a lot !   :)

      1.  How can I remember this information about competitive doubles ? 

      2.  Will an unfamiliar novice partner understand that the Maximal double is for takeout and not leave it in with a minimum hand or extra length in our suit ? 

      3.  I understand Penalty doubles and Takeout doubles. 
But, what do I do opposite a "CO-OPERATIVE" or "OPTIONAL" double ? 

      The logical extension of our "Dentist Rule" (i.e., "When in doubt, pull it out !") is the Competitive Double.  This double comes after both of us have bid but we have not, as yet, found a fit.  Competitive Doubles appear most often in the passout seat but can occur in direct seat if the opponents have found a fit by bidding and raising a suit.

Competitive Doubles

West North East South 1 Pass 1 2 Pass Pass Dble

West North East South 1 1 1 2 Dble

      1♦-Pass-1♠-2♣-Double   is not Competitive, since the opponents have not found a fit, but 1♦-Pass-1♠-2♣-Pass-Pass-Double would be (since the double comes in the balancing seat). 

      The Competitive Double typically suggests our feeling that we have some extra values and need to hear Partner bid again.  This often suggests secondary (i.e., poorish) support for Partner's suit, 4 card length in the unbids, and/or an extra card in our own suit. 

West	North	East	South
1	Pass	1	2
Pass	Pass	??

      After 1♦-Pass-1♠-2♥-Pass-Pass, you will double, hoping Partner can support Spades with 3-4 Spades or rebid a minor.  Most pairs play Competitive Doubles up to 2♠. 

     

      1.  What is the difference between a pure Balancing Double and a Competitive Double in the passout seat ?

      2. With a dead minimal   

should I Pass or bid 2♣ freely over 1♣-Pass-1♥-1♠ ? 

      This section is included for interest sake Only.  It will give you an idea of what some of your more experienced opponents may be doing at your table. 

      When Three suits have been bid, one of them by Opener's RHO, a Double by Opener is Penalty in standard methods.

Penalty Double West North East South 1 Pass 1 1 Dble

BORIS Double West North East South 1 Pass 1 1 Dble

1♣-Pass-1♦-1♥-Double and 1♣-Pass-1♦-1♠-Dble are both business (i.e., penalty) doubles.  This is no problem in the former instance, since after 1♣-Pass-1♦-1♥ we could simply bid 1♠ if we had Spades.  But after 1♣-Pass-1♦-1♠, a 2♥ bid would be a reverse, showing a Great hand.  What can Opener do with Hearts and a good (but not great) hand ? 

      We begin by asserting that Hearts are an "inconvenient" suit here, since bidding them requires going past our first bid suit. 
In such instances, a Double shows that awkward suit, and about 15-18 points.  1♣-Pass-1♥-Double, though, is still penalty.  Therefore, we have what we Rainbowers call a "BORIS" Double: Business OR Inconvenient Suit, depending on whether that fourth suit is the very next suit or not. 

     

Support Double

West	North	East	South
1	Pass	1	1
Dble

      The Support Double is made only by Opener, and only when Responder has bid a suit, only to have Opener's RHO overcall.  1♣-Pass-1♥-1♠-Double, then, is a Support Double (if you and your partner agree to play them). 

      The Support Double shows a better than minimum hand (else Pass) with Three card support for Responder's suit.  1♣-Pass-1♥-1♠-Double, therefore, shows about 14+ points and Three Hearts for partner.

West	North	East	South
1	Pass	1	1
2

      With Four Hearts, Opener would Raise Responder's suit directly.  1♣-Pass-1♥-1♠-2♥, then, promises 4+card support if you play Support Doubles. 

      While some will play Support Doubles only at the one level, most will play them up to 2♠. 

      A very useful tool for competing after we have overcalled is a "defensive" double.  These are Not part of SAYC and would require substantial discussion.  Thus, we will not discuss them here.  If you would like to read about them later, with an eye towards playing them with your steady partner, please refer to my article about them on my "personal" bridge web page at:

http://www.escape.ca/~ksired/bridge.htm

      If partner makes a takeout double and your RHO raises Opener's suit (e.g., 1♦-Double-2♦) what does a double by you mean ?   In SAYC, such a double is penalty.  But many pairs play Responsive doubles in this instance.  The Responsive double shows 4+ cards in at least two of the unbid suits.  It is like a takeout double opposite a takeout double. 

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	2C	Double

      Here Advancer is doubling to show some values (8+ points, since Advancer could pass) and either Diamonds & Hearts, Diamonds and Spades or Hearts and Spades.  With only one of the unbid suits, Advancer would, of course, bid it directly here. 

      A more useful application of the Responsive Doubles comes when partner has overcalled instead of doubling.  Again, the Responsive Double shows 4+ cards in the unbid suits.  It is like a Negative Double, but by advancer, not Responder. 

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1D	2C	2D	Double	4-4 or better in the majors.

     

      As a matter of personal preference, I do Not play Responsive doubles opposite a takeout double but do play them opposite an overcall.  I *do* play a variation on this theme after a pre-emptive jump raise below the 3♠ level.  I call it a "Responsive Anti-Preemptive Invitational Double", or "RAPID".  Rapid comes up only in these three auctions:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	3C	Double

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1D	Double	3D	Double

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1H	Double	3H	Double

      All of these show good hands, inviting game (or slam) — usually in an unbid major.  Partner can decline this invite by bidding the cheapest step. 

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	3C	Double
Pass	3D	.	.

3♦ in the above auction shows any minimum hand for the double.  Over 3♦, Advancer can Pass (with Diamonds), rebid 3♥ or 3♠ (not forcing) or move towards game. 

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1S	Double	3S	Double

      This is penalty, since it is too high to be inviting 4♥.  Playing RAPID, a free bid becomes merely competitive.  Doubler will only venture on to game with 18+ points. 

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1D	Double	3D	3H	Competing only.

     

      1.  Isn't "Responsive Double" yet anther misnomer ? 
      Since it is Advancer that uses them, not Responder, shouldn't we think of them as "Advancing Doubles" ? 

      2.  Playing with an unfamilar partner on OKBridge, how should I take 1♥-Double-2♥-Double ? 

      3.  Will an unfamiliar but experienced partner understand what "Responsive Doubles" are ? 

      4.  Will an unfamiliar but experienced partner understand what "RAPID" doubles are ? 

      5.  RAPID invites "game or slam".  What if Advancer wants to force game but not invite slam ? 

     

      1.  Matchpoints.  Neither side vulnerable:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	Pass	1S	Pass	–
2H	Double	.	.	What is the double ?

And what should you bid with:

Hand #1:	Q x x x	—	K x x x	x x x x x
Hand #2:	x x x	x	x x x	x x x x x x

      2.  MatchPoints.  Neither side vulnerable. 

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1H	1S	2H	2S
3H	?? ??	.	.

What do you bid with:

Hand #1:	K J x x x	x x	A x x	x x x
Hand #2:	K J x x x x	x x	A x	x x x
Hand #3:	K Q x x x x	x x	A x	K 10 x

      3.  MatchPoints.  Neither side vulnerable. 

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Dbler/OvrClr
1S	Pass	1NT	? ?? ?

What do you bid with:

Hand #1:	A Q J 10 x	K x x	A x	x x x
Hand #2:	x	K x x x	A x x x x	K Q x x

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RAINBOW Series

The Rainbow Series, from 10:00 A.M.  to 12:30 PST, every weekday, is a lecture program on the SAYC system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of SAYC.  Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Rainbow Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students.  Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and "eavesdrop" on the discussion from the Spectator's Loft.  If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Rainbow Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca

Lesson #1: Opening Bids	Lesson #2: Responses to Opening Bids
Lesson #3: Rebidding Strategies	Lesson #4: Interference
Lesson #5: OverCalls & Takeout Doubles	Lesson #6: Two-Suited Overcalls
Lesson #7: Pre-Empts	Lesson #8: Competing with Doubles
Lesson #9: Lebensohl	Lesson #10: Defensive Signalling
Lesson #11: Defensive Strategies	Lesson #12: Declarer Play

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General Rules of SAYC Bidding	Fit Inspired Bids – "FIBs"
Doubles	Cuebids
IMPs Versus MatchPoints	Lebensohl
Hand Evaluation	Defensive Signals
Jacoby Transfers	Pre-Empts
Jacoby 2NT Response to 1♥ or 1S	Michaels Cuebids
3 Types of Responding Hands	Percentages in Bridge
Roman Key Card Blackwood	BROZEL over their 1NT
4th Suit Force	Assume Jumps Are Raises
Glossary of Terms	Colin's Rules of Bridge

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