Doubles : We will cover 4 types of Doubles.

1) The Opening Take-Out Double (of a suit)

2) Negative Double (also known as a Sputnik double)

3) Lead Directing Double

4) The Penalty Double (of 1NT)

1. Take-Out Double

When the opposition open a suit:- 1C, 1D, 1H or 1S, you Double, with an opening hand

and a shortage in the opponents suit, to ask partner to bid their best suit.

e.g. The opposition (South) open 1H, you (West) double with:-

West · ♠ K Q 9 5 · ♥ 8 · ♦ Q J 7 2 · ♣ A 9 6 5

If North passes then as East (You must bid). You hold say:>

East · ♠ J 8 7 3 · ♥ J 5 · ♦ K 9 4 · ♣ K 8 7 2 You respond 1S. (although here there is an argument for bidding “Stop” 2S)

2. Negative Double

With the above hands, and the bidding has gone 1H (S), Double (W), 2H (N), (East) ?

Now as East, a Double would say “Partner I can support any suit other than Hearts, and I have sufficient points to bid to the next round, so please bid a suit”.

3. Lead Directing Double

This Double is made usually after an ‘Artificial’ bid by the opposition..

Hand 1 (West) · ♠ Q 6 · ♥ 8 5 · ♦ Q J 8 · ♣ K Q 10 9 6 5

< With Hand 1 Bidding: 1NT(N), pass(E), 2C Stayman(S). What can you bid? With Hand 2 > Bidding: 1NT(N), pass(E), 2H (Transfer to spades)(S). Again what can you bid ?

Hand 2 (West) · ♠ 7 · ♥ K Q J 9 5 3 · ♦ A 7 · ♣ J 8 6 2

4. Penalty Double (of 1NT)

Assuming the opposition have opened 1NT (12-14), you will double on 16+ points as a

Penalty Double, asking partner to pass (it is NOT a take-out double). A typical hand for

Doubling is:-

· ♠ K Q 5 · ♥ Q 10 9 · ♦ A 3 · ♣ K Q J 7 3

You will normally pass the Double unless you have an unsuitable hand with say 0-4 points and something like this hand >

· ♠ 7 3 · ♥ J 5 · ♦ 9 8 6 5 4 2 · ♣ 8 2 On this hand it is probably better to bid 2D over your partners Penalty Double.