CHAPTER 4- DOUBLES

Responsive Doubles

The responsive double a response to partner's takeout double after the opponents have bid and raised a suit. Sounds complicated? Here it is in bidding format:

1H - X - 2H - X!

The responsive double is based on the principle that a penalty double here is usually unrewarding. Therefore double shows scattered values with at least 6 points and interest in locating a fit. If the opponents are bidding a minor suit, a responsive double asks partner to pick a major suit. If the opponents are bidding a major suit, a responsive double requests partner to choose a minor suit. For instance, advancer might hold

K T 4 3
Q J 3 2
9 3
J T 9
and hear:

1D - X - 2D - ?

He should make a responsive double to ask partner to bid a major. Note that a double by advancer is responsive only when the opponents have opened a one-bid and raised it. Some players also use the responsive double when partner has made a simple overcall in a suit. Modern Bridge Conventions by Bill Root and Richard Pavlicek gives an excellent list of bidding situations in which double is NOT responsive:

1C - X - 1S - X
RHO has bid a new suit.

1C - 2S - 3C - X
Partner has made a jump overcall.

2H - X - 3H - X
LHO has opened with a preempt.

1D -1NT - 2D - X
Partner has overcalled in no-trumps.

On the OKBridge 2/1 card, responsive doubles are on through 3S.

Support Doubles

Say you are first to speak holding

A K 4
K J T 3 2
Q 9 3
2
You open 1H and hear LHO pass. Partner responds 1S (promising a five-card suit), and RHO butts in with 2C. Now what? Users of the support double are happy in this situation; they simply double to show a three-card spade raise. This lets them bid 2S to show a four-card raise. When was the last time you wanted to make a penalty double in this auction, anyway?

When the opponents bid and raise a suit, support doubles are also on.

1C - 1H - 1S - 2H
X!

Finally, support doubles also apply when RHO makes a takeout double rather than a simple overcall. Redouble promises three-card support while a simple raise shows four-card support. So

1H - P - 1S - X XX!
Promises 12-14 points with three spades.

On the OKbridge 2/1 card, support doubles and redoubles are on through 2H.

CHAPTER 1..................................THE 2/1 STRUCTURE
CHAPTER 2..................................MAJOR-SUIT CONVENTIONS
CHAPTER 3..................................1NT CONVENTIONS
CHAPTER 5..................................MISCELLANEOUS
CONTENT..................................CONTENT OF OKBRIDGE 1/2 SYSTEM