“Filling out a convention card with a partner is part of the fun of playing duplicate bridge.”
Or so says ACBL’s “Conventional Wisdom” brochure. Although many pairs enjoy this type of discussion, it can be a frustrating chore if you make it too complicated.
That’s seldom a problem for newer players who can describe their basic system by checking boxes on the card. The challenges come as you gain experience and adopt advanced methods that may have more nuanced meanings. No matter how thoroughly you try to document these agreements – whether it’s on a convention card or in detailed system notes – you won’t be able to cover every possible use in every possible auction.
Modern doubles are especially difficult to define because there are so many types and the names are so vague. You can’t just say, “Let’s play re-takeout (or cooperative or Do Something Intelligent) doubles” and expect partner to know exactly when they apply. To successfully add these doubles to your system, you need to talk about the most common uses, then consider how you’ll handle the undiscussed situations that are sure to arise.
Default agreements can solve many potential problems. These are broad
guidelines that serve as contingencies for “when in doubt” situations. For
doubles, you and partner might decide to use one of these “rules” as your
default:
If the opponents have found a fit and the auction is below the three-level,
it’s takeout.
If we haven’t specifically defined it as penalty, it’s takeout.
It’s also important for you and partner to have a good understanding of each other’s bidding style and skill level. Experienced players, even in new partnerships, tend to assume that “expert standard” meanings apply unless you’ve specified otherwise. If that describes you and partner, how do you interpret his double in these auctions?
You LHO Partner RHO
(1) 1H 2H* DBL *(Michaels – spades and a minor)
(2) 1NT 2C DBL
(3) 2H
DBL Pass
2S Pass 3NT
(4)
1H Pass
1NT* 2C DBL *(Forcing NT)
Although some pairs have their own agreements for these auctions, here are the most widely accepted meanings:
(1) Double does not show heart length or honors. It promises high-card values (a good 9 points or more) and sets up a penalty situation. It tends to deny support for your suit. Partner might hold ♠ J72 ♥54 ♦KQ54 ♣J92 .
(2) If the 2C overcall is natural or shows anything other than both majors,
partner’s double is Stayman. All other bids are “system on”.
If the 2C overcall shows both majors: Partner’s double is card-showing,
promising at least invitational values. This is usually a hand that can make a
penalty double of at least one of their major suits.
(3) The double followed by 3NT sends a type of pass-or-correct message that promises 3-card spade support. If partner had overcalled 3NT instead of doubling first, it would have shown no interest in hearing about your long suit.
(4) Partner is showing extra values and shortness in the overcaller's suit – a hand such as ♠AQJ ♥AK1043 ♦K854 ♣6 .
© 2024 Karen Walker