Kaleidoscope Series Lesson #3
Defensive Doubles
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Consider this auction:
Opener You Responder Advancer
1H 2D 2H 3D
4H ??
Not vulnerable versus vulnerable opponents,
a 5D sacrifice seems to be an option. But how do we
know if 4H will make? How do we know how much defensive
strength Partner has? Only if playing defensive doubles
can we have ANY chance of making an "educated" guess.
Now we look at this hand (Matchpoints, with
THEM vulnerable) after 1H-1S-2H:
Overcaller: S- KQJxxx H- Axx D- xx C- xx
Advancer A: S- Axx H- x D- xxxx C- Qxxxx
Advancer B: S- xxx H- xx D- K109x C- AQxx
Advancer should anticipate that the next bid
from Opener may well be 4H. Overcaller will now be
"on the spot" and will need to know if 4S is worth
considering as a sacrifice. Certainly, from Overcaller's
perspective, 4S looks attractive. But there is a world
of difference between the two Advancer hands above.
With Advancer A, 4S should be an excellent sacrifice
against 4H. Opposite Advancer B, though, Overcaller
would likely want to try DEFENDING 4H. But BOTH
Advancers will likely bid 2S over 1H-1S-2H. How does
Overcaller guess which type Advancer has THIS time?
The answer, in short, is to play Defensive
Doubles.
---- A Glossary of Some Helpful Terms ----
Before we can comprehend Defensive Doubles, we
need an understanding of competitive bidding strategy
themes and expressions. These expressions may help:
1. "Defensive Values" = Aces and Face cards OTHER than
the Queen or Jack of a suit that WE are bidding
are "defensive values" since they may take a trick
on defence. If they play the hand D-Qxx has a
much better chance of taking a trick if we have
NOT bid diamonds than if we HAVE bid Diamonds.
The King of our long suit is a defensive value
ONLY if the odds favour both opponents having
two cards in our suit. Hence, if we have more
than 9 cards in our suit, the King is NOT a
defensive value, since it will surely be ruffed
if they play in a suit contract. Since a 2-2
break is only a 40% chance, if we have a NINE
card fit the King of our long suit is more often
NOT a defensive value.
2. "Defensively Orientated" = A hand with substantial
HCPs and flattish distribution is liable to be
more good on defence than in winning the contract.
Typically, a "defensively oriented" hand should
be an odds-on favourite to take 2 or more tricks
on defence.
3. "Convertible Values" = Aces and Kings are liable to
be good on offense (i.e. declaring) or defence.
This is not nearly as true of Queens and Jacks,
which may be useless for offense, defence or
both. Aces and Kings, then, are considered
"convertible" values. Aces and Kings are also
called [Neapolitan] "controls". Any hand with
many Aces and Kings, then, is "control rich"
and therefore has a lot of "convertible values".
4. "Offensive Values" = Offensive values include any
extra trump length, any ruffing value, any face
card in our long suit(s), and any Ace or King
in any outside suit.
5. "Offensively Orientated" = Any hand that has a lot
of offensive values is deemed to be offensively
oriented. Typically, an offensively oriented
hand will have FEWER than 2 defensive tricks
if they should declare the hand.
e.g. S- KQxx H- QJxx D- xxx C- xx
If THEY are bidding this majors, this
hand has significant defensive values
and would be considered "defensively
oriented". If Partner has just shown
the majors, though, this hand has
significant OFFENSIVE values, and is
offensively oriented. It has
very few convertible values, though.
This hand may well be useless on offence
if, say, Partner makes an Unusual 2NT
over 1H or 1S by LHO.
S- Axx H- AKx D- 10xxx C- xxx
Unless Partner has just pre-empted
in Hearts, this hand has signicant
defensive potential. It is control
rich, with good convertible values
in the majors. We would not be
interested in sacrificing at the
game level unless Partner has shown
6+ Hearts.
S- KQJx H- Axx D- 10xxxx C- J
This hand starts out as a defensive type,
with 2 or 3 tricks in the majors. Once
Partner overcalls 1S, though, our Spade
defensive tricks go up in smoke and this
becomes an offensively oriented holding.
----------- Quiz #1 --------------
1. After 1D-1S-2D rate the following hands as
"defensively" or "offensively" oriented:
a. S- Jxx H- KQxx D- xx C- Kxxx
b. S- KQxx H- Jxx D- xx C- Kxxx
c. S- Axxx H- K10xx D- xxx C- Qx
d. S- KQxx H- K109 D- xxx C- Qxx
2. S- x H- xxxx D- xxx C- xxxxx
You would never raise after 1D-1S-Dble with this
hand. If you had to choose, though, would you
consider this hand OFFENSIVE or DEFENSIVE?
---- Defensive Doubles and their Effect ----
Playing Defensive Doubles affects how Advancer
(the partner of the Overcaller) shows support (3+ cards)
or "tolerance" (2+ cards) for Overcaller's suit. First,
we operate from the understanding that Advancer's entry
into the auction is very dangerous if she/he does
NOT have support for Overcaller's suit. When playing
Defensive Doubles, such an Advancer will have to bid
*beyond* partner's suit.
e.g. 1S 2D 2S ?? - 3C supports Diamonds,
3H or 4C would not.
Defensive Doubles come into effect in competitive
auctions only (i.e. when Opener's partner, "Responder",
has made a NEGATIVE double or a free suit bid). Any bid
by Advancer, then, up to and including Overcaller's suit
suggests support. In such instances, the following
rules apply:
Any raise, *including a single direct raise*, shows an
offensively oriented hand. If the opponents bounce to
game, Advancer's vote is deemed to suggest a sacrifice.
Overcaller: S- KQJxxx H- Axx D- xx C- xx
Advancer A: S- Axx H- x D- xxxx C- Qxxxx
e.g. 1H 1S 2H 2S - Offensively oriented raise.
4H ?? - Overcaller should feel
free to bid 4S, knowing
that this is Advancer's
preference.
Any suit bid below Overcaller's is lead-directing, but
shows good defensive strength--no interest in
sacrificing if the opponents stumble into game.
Advancer: S- Jxx H- AQJ D- xxx C- Qxxx
1D 1S 2D 2H - Spade tolerance. "Lead Hearts!"
Any no trump bid below Overcaller's shows "scattered but
significant defensive values"--no interest in
sacrificing against any game contract.
Advancer: S- Qxx H- K10x D- Qxxx C- Qxx
1D 1S Dble* 1NT - "Scattered defensive values."
*negative
Any double shows defensive strength (no interest in
sacrificing against a game contract) but no room to
make the appropriate lead directing or "scattered
values" free bid.
Advancer: S- Axxx H- 10xx D- Kxx C- QJx
1D 1H 2D Dble - Heart support. Defence.
A redouble of a negative double is also defensive,
suggesting the Ace or King of Overcaller's suit--especially
at the 1-level. This is called a "Rosencrantz" redouble.
Advancer: S- Kxx H- K10xx D- xx C- Axxx
1D 1H NegDble Rdbl - Heart King/Ace. Defence.
To appreciate the effect of playing Defensive
Doubles, consider this common scenario:
Overcaller: S- AQ10xx H- Kxx D- xx C- xxx
1D 1S 2D Dble - Spades. "Don't lead Hearts!"
3NT Pass Pass Pass (else 2H here)
A major suit lead at the other table hands your
team mates +600. Trusting Declarer to hold at least
the King of Spades, you find the "miraculous" lead of
a Club. Sure enough, Partner gets in with the Ace of
Clubs and tracks the Jack of Spades for down two.
Any other lead would have handed them 600. While
one opponent checks you for wires, you explain to the
other that Partner's double and the 3NT bid essentially
eliminated any OTHER lead from serious consideration.
The opponents don't seem mollified, though... :)
----------- Quiz #2 --------------
1. After 1S-2D-2S, with neither side vulnerable,
what is your call if holding:
a. S- AQJ9 H- Axx D- x C- xxxxx
b. S- Jxx H- KQJxx D- Qxx C- Qx
c. S- 10xxx H- J D- Qxxx C- QJxx
2. Is a double of a free 1NT bid Defensive? For
example, is 1C-1H-1NT-Dble Defensive or Penalty?
---- When Doubles are NOT Defensive ----
Defensive doubles come in direct seat only, and
only IMMEDIATELY upon hearing of Partner's suit. The
following examples are NOT defensive doubles, and do
NOT suggest support for Overcaller's suit:
i) 1D 1S Pass Pass
Dble Pass 2C 2H - Natural, 0-2 Spades.
ii) 1D 1S Pass Pass
2D Pass Pass 2H - Natural, 0-2 Spades.
The Defensive Double structure does not apply
if RHO has just bid a natural 1NT freely over Partner's
overcall.
iii) 1D 1S 1NT Dble - Strong hand. Penalty.
iv) 1D 1S 1NT 2D - Natural, NON-forcing.
v) 1D 1S 1NT 2S - Competitive only.
--- Bidding at Unfavorable Vulnerablility ---
At unfavourable vulnerability (i.e. us vulnerable,
them not), sacrificing is not usually an issue for us.
For this reason, instead of Advancer defining hir
opinion about sacrificing, Advancer expresses hir
attitute towards Overcaller leading their suit. We
accomplish this by using Rosencrantz-style doubles and
redoubles.
Over a negative double at the ONE level, Advancer
will RAISE with the Queen, and redouble with the Ace or
King. A 1NT free bid shows scattered values--NONE of
them in Overcaller's suit. Many will use these same
bids opposite a TWO level overcall by Partner. "How
high shall we play our Rosencrantz redoubles?" is a
good question to pose any new partner.
This structure is used whenever there IS a No Trump
bid available. After 1C-1D-1H a double will
promise the Diamond Ace or King, 2D will show the
Diamond Queen (when vulnerable versus not) and 1NT
will show scattered values with NO Diamond Ace, King
or Queen. We might describe the 1NT free bid by Advancer
as showing "scattered values OUTSIDE Overcaller's suit".
When there is NOT a No Trump bid available, as over
1H-1S-2H, the double shows a "top honour" while the raise
denies one. The only question that remains is whether
the Queen of Overcaller's suit should be considered a
"top honour". Many say that it should be, and will double
with the Ace, King or Queen.
Other pairs make a slight refinement here. If
it seems likely that the opponents will end up in
a major suit, Advancer shows the Ace or King with a
double. Only if it sounds as if the opponents are
more likely to end up in No Trump than a major
(e.g. by bidding minors and/or No Trump only) does
Advancer show the Ace, King OR QUEEN with a double.
i) 1C 1S 2C 2S - No Spade Ace, King or Queen.
Without a negative double or major suit bid by
Responder here, there is little chance of Opener's
side playing in a major. 2S here, then, denies
ANY of the top three Spades.
ii) 1C 1S 2C Dble - S-Ace, S-King and/or S-Queen.
Because 2NT would bypass the Spade suit, we cannot
distinguish the Spade Queen from the King or Ace.
iii) 1C 1S Dble 2S - Spade Queen.
Over a negative double, we ALWAYS have a No Trump
bid handy to show NONE of the top three honours.
Hence, a raise always shows the Queen.
iv) 1C 1S Dble Rdbl - Spade Ace and/or King.
A redouble always shows the Ace or King of
Overcaller's suit.
v) 1C 1S Dble 1NT - No Space Ace, King or Queen.
No Trump bids, when available, always deny any
of the top three honours in Partner's suit.
vi) 1C 1S 2H Dble - Spade Ace and/or King.
Because there is not a No Trump available here, and
because the opposite HAS shown major suit interest,
the double here promises the Ace or King. With
the Queen (or less) Advancer could bid 2S.
----------- Quiz #3 --------------
1. After 1S-2H-2S, vulnerable against non-vulnerable
opponents, what is your call if holding:
a. S- K10xx H- Axxx D- Qxx C- xx
b. S- K10xx H- Qxxx D- Axx C- xx
c. S- K10xx H- xxxx D- Axx C- Qx
---- Snapdragon Defensive Doubles ----
Once you are comfortable with Defensive Doubles,
you might consider adding "Snapdragon" Defensive
Doubles to your arsenal. Whenever Advancer has at
hir disposal a 1NT call to show scattered values in
support of Overcaller's suit, a double will show
4+ cards in any unbid major. Snapdragon Defensive
Doubles are not made at unfavourable vulnerability.
i) 1C 1D 1H Dble - 4+ Spades, defence,
Diamond tolerance.
ii) 1C 1D 2C Dble - Defensive only.
The second auction is NOT a Snapdragon double
since Advancer did NOT have the option of bidding
in No Trump to show scattered values. 2NT there
would go BEYOND the Diamond suit.
Some will play Snapdragon redoubles instead of
the Rosencrantz redouble (showing an Ace or King in
Overcaller's suit) except when VUL versus NOT.
i) 1C 1S NegX Rdbl - 4+ Hearts, defence,
Spade tolerance.
Snapdragon DEFENSIVE Doubles are distinguished
from normal Snapdragon doubles in that DEFENSIVE
ones show defensive values and always promise
tolerance for Overcaller's suit. Also, Defensive
Snapdragon Doubles are slightly less common, since
they only come up with Advancer has the option of
bidding a "scattered values" No Trump when Advancer
does NOT have 4+ cards in the unbid major.
----------- Quiz #4 --------------
1. None vulnerable. Playing Snapdragon Defensive
Doubles, what is our call after 1D-1S-2D with:
a. S- 10xxx H- J D- A10xx C- KQxx
Hint: Careful! This is a trick question! :)
2. Vulnerable versus not, playing Snapdragon Defensive
Doubles, what is our call after 1C-1D-1S with:
a. S- xx H- KQxx D- 10xxx C- KQxx
Hint: Careful again! ANOTHER trick question!
3. Both Vulnerable, playing Snapdragon Defensive
Doubles, what is our call after 1D-2C-2S holding:
a. S- Kx H- KJ10xx D- 10xx C- Qxx
4. Both Vulnerable, playing Snapdragon Defensive
Doubles and Redoubles, what is our call after
1D-1H-Dble holding:
a. S- AKQ H- xxx D- 10xx C- Qxxx
b. S- QJ9xx H- xxx D- K10x C- Ax
Hint: The double *suggested* 4 Spades in
Responder's hand. It didn't *guarantee*
4 Spades in Responder's hand.
---- Discussing Defensive Doubles ----
Because they are not well known, or are known
by other names, Defensive Doubles would have to be
discussed thoroughly with any new partner. Simply
sitting down and saying "Responsive doubles through
3H, Pard?" might be fine for Responder doubles, but
one does not start out with a new partner by asking:
"Defensive Doubles, Pard?"
In addition to discussion, Defensive Doubles
will require PRACTICE. One such discussion point
would be whether a new suit at the THREE level
BEYOND Overcaller's suit is forcing or not.
e.g. 1C 1S 2H 3D - Forcing?
In standard treatments, any such 3-level free
bid in a new suit WOULD be forcing, but many
Defensive Doublers play it as NON-forcing.
To recap our actions BELOW Overcaller's suit
then:
VUL versus NOT:
Over a BID by RHO:
Double = Top Honour in Overcaller's suit.
Raise = No Top Honour in Overcaller's suit.
- "Top Honour" can mean Ace or King, OR
Ace, King or Queen, depending on whether
1NT is available, and whether or not the
opponents have shown MAJOR suit length.
No Trump = No Ace, King or Queen in Overcaller's suit.
Over a negative Double:
Redouble = Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.
Raise = The Queen of Overcaller's suit.
No Trump = Denies Ace, King or Queen of Overcaller's suit.
At any OTHER vulnerability:
Over a BID by RHO:
Double = Defensive values. SOME play as Snapdragon.
Raise = Offensive values.
No Trump = Scattered defensive values.
Over a negative Double:
Redouble = Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.
No Trump = Denies Ace or King of Overcaller's suit.
At ANY vulnerability:
New suits are always lead-directing, with defence.
---- Final Quiz ----
1. How do Defensive Doubles affect Advancer's
actions with an INVITATIONAL raise? Say,
with 13 points and good support for Overcaller's
Spades after 1D-1S-2D? Hint: 3S is PRE-EMPTIVE.
2. What do you bid, at MPs, not vulnerable versus
vulnerable opponents, after 1D-1S-2D with:
a. S- 10xx H- AJ10 D- xxx C- Kxxx
b. S- J10xx H- xxx D- x C- Qxxxx
c. S- Qxx H- xxx D- xx C- AKxxx
d. S- KJxx H- x D- Axxx C- Axxx
e. S- KQx H- Jxx D- xx C- Jxxxx
f. S- 10x H- QJxx D- AQ10 C- K10xx
3. Neither vulnerable, at MPs, what is your
call after 1S-2D-2H holding:
a. S- A10x H- Kxx D- Qxxx C- Jxx
b. S- xx H- AQJx D- J10x C- K10xx
c. S- 10xxx H- x D- KJxxx C- xxx
d. S- xx H- AQ10x D- Kxx C- AJ10x
********* The Rubber Bridge Theory of Relativity *********
* *
* High Card Points x I.Q. Points = a constant *
* *
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The KaleidoScope Series, at 8:00 A.M. and either 3:00 P.M. (Monday and Wednesday) or 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday and Thursday) PST from Monday to Thursday, is a lecture program on a variety of subjects: Bidding Light, Maximum Flexibility, Defensive Doubles, LOTT versus "Got More, Bid More" and Squeezes. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Kaleidoscope Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students. Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and participate. The KaleidoScope Series, directed more at that intermediate player than the Rainbow and Spectrum, has quickly become one of our most popular. For $60 for five invaluable lessons ($100 for two series, $150 for all three series) this may be the best bridge instruction available anywhere!  CLICK HERE to email your registration. In the meantime, why not click on the lessons below and start learning now ? |
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