Friday, January 09, 2004 1:51 AM

Negative Doubles - Part Deux

PITBULLS:

A law playing negative doubles is after one of a minor , spade overcall a double MUST show 4 or more hearts. No exceptions . All ensuing bids are predicated from that law . You hold xx K10xx Axx Kxxx and partner opens one diamond and RHO overcalls a spade . You make a negative double , partner bids 2H and RHO bids 2S – now what ? Three hearts in this auction is competitive and not invitational . So how do you invite ? You have a double , a 2NT bid , a 3C bid and a 3D bid at your disposal . A double could be defined as a game try double but it is better to reserve it as penalty . 2NT is probably an impossible bid that could be Lebensohl but most partnerships play that as natural giving a choice of games. This leaves 3D and 3C as game tries with an implied heart fit . I do not play Kokish game tries in competition so these bids are not shortness but a “show where you live” game try.

One of a minor by partner and a heart overcall and you double . Another law comes into effect – you do not have 4S . This allows you compete more by doubling at the one level just to show values and a willingness to compete. Partner can bid one spade with 4 or more spades and the auction is clarified immediately.

What about 2C overcalls and negative doubles after a one diamond opening ? These doubles do not imply both majors . One major and a diamond fit will suffice nicely but of course you can hold both majors . With negative doubles it always better to bid naturally if you can and resort to a negative double if you do not .

One club by partner and a 1D or 2D overcall does the double show both majors ? Yes at the one level both majors are implied because why double in the first place with one major – just bid it.! At the two level you can have one major and a club fit for your negative double .

The higher the level the more often you will not have the perfect suit requirements and the double is more of a D.S.I.P. double. 1C-4D-X do not expect the perfect hand with 4-4 in the majors . It may be one major and 12 HCP’s and I am jammed partner . Negative doubles at the 3 level are Thrump doubles which ask partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in their suit . However the double can also be a classic negative double with both majors.