RainBow Series - Lesson VIII - Competing with Doubles

RainBow Series - Lesson VIII

Competing with Doubles

 
        More matchpoints are won and lost in competitive
auctions than in all the slams and games put together.  The
reason is the frequency of such auctions and the relative
ease of bidding games.  Competitive decisions are tough!
Undercompetiting may not cost us many IMPs.  The difference
between allowing them to make 110 in 2S versus our -100 at
the three level means nothing at IMPs, but can mean the
difference between a near top and a near bottom score at
MatchPoints.  This is because, at Matchpoints, it is not
the SIZE of the difference in score that matters;  it is
the only that FACT of a difference in score that will
gain or lose us MatchPoints.

        The more tools that we have to make such decisions
in contested auctions, the better.  This lesson, though,
will be the most difficult in our Rainbow Series, and
will require the closest attention.  No other lesson will
affect your results more dramatically than this one!  

        The most flexible tool in competing is the takeout
double in its myriad forms.  Unfortunately, this is also 
one of the most misunderstood and misapplied bids in our 
arsenal.  For now, let us establish GENERAL RULE #1 for 
low level doubles:  

        "When in doubt, assume any double of a part score
to be TAKEOUT and REMOVE it!"

        In order to understand when a double is for 
takeout, we must first understand when it is for penalty. 

        The SAYC-OK notes say:

-----------------  From the SAYC-OK Notes  ------------------------

Here are some guidelines as to when an X is penalty.  Be wary of
doubling the opponents for penalty on the strength of Partner's
overcall.

1. When the X is made late in the auction:  i.e. 1S-P-2S-P-4S-X. 
2. When the X's Partner has accurately described both his 
   strength and distribution.
3. When either partner has XX'ed earlier.
4. When either has earlier made a penalty X or a penalty pass 
   of a takeout X.
5. When an artificial bid has been X'ed.
6. When the major suit response to a preempt has been X'ed.
7. In borderline cases, when the X'er is behind the original bidder.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

        For our purposes, this excerpt suggests one simple rule
for takeout doubles:  "Any double of THEIR agreed suit is for
takeout unless Doubler has trap-passed OR unless Partner has 
promised 2+ cards in their suit."  Consider these auctions:

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Overcaller
1S	Pass	1NT	2D
Dble	.	.	.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1H	1NT	2H	Double

        In the first instance, the double of 2D is for takeout 
in many modern partnerships.  Yes, Partner HAS bid 1NT, but it 
was as a response to 1S and did NOT suggest--let alone 
guarantee--a flat hand.  The 1NT reply to 1S simply denies
Spade support and shows 6-9 points.  1NT Responder could be 
2-5-1-5!  Traditional players, however, will treat the double
as PENALTY (i.e. any time BOTH players have bid and they
intervene), so you may wish to discuss this with your partner.

        In the 2nd auction, the double *is* for penalty in
many modern partnerships, since Partner's 1NT overcall *did* 
promise a flat hand, including at least 2 cards in the enemy 
suit (Hearts).

        So how does Partner "promise 2+ cards in their suit"?
One way is with a 1NT opening bid, overcall or rebid (but NOT
a 1NT response, as we saw above).  Another way is via a 
takeout double of another suit.  To illustrate, here a double
of 1S is penalty because Partner's takeout double of 1D
implied 4 Spades:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1D	Double	1S	Dble

	                                                                                        
        And, of course, the most obvious way the show more
than one card in a suit is to bid it!

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2S	Double	.	Penalty.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2S	Pass	Pass	-
Double	.	.	.	Penalty.

	
       "What does `trap pass' mean?" you may ask.
 
        Sometimes RHO opens our best suit, catching us with
a good hand.  In such instances, when we PASS our RHO's 
first mention of a suit and THEN double RHO when RHO rebids 
that suit, this is penalty.  We also need an opening bid
for such business double;  any such double by a passed hand
is for takeout.

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	-
2S	Double	.	.	*Penalty (else Double last* turn!**

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	-
2S	Double	.	.	*Penalty--else double last* turn!**

	
        In order to have a profitable penalty double of such
a low-level contract, we would need to be stacked in RIGHT 
Hand Opponent's suit.  Hence, such a "pass then double" 
will be penalty ONLY if we are doubling RHO.  It does NOT 
apply if doubling LHO's suit in the passout seat.

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Doubler	Explanation of Action
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	-
2S	Pass	Pass	Double	Balancing (i.e. takeout).

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
.	Pass	Pass	Pass	-
1S	Pass	1NT	Pass	-
Pass	Double	.	.	*Balancing by a passed* hand.**

	 

               ------  Question  -------

1.  A double of Opener's suit doesn't promise 2+ cards in 
    the three unbid suits!  Wouldn't we double 1C with:

AKQxxxx

void

AKx

Axx

	
    ...simply because we are TOO STRONG for a 1S overcall?
    So why should 1C-Dble-1H-Dble be penalty?
      

  
    ---------------  The Balancing Double  ----------------


        Consider these two situations:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
2S	Dble	.	.

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Doubler
2S	Pass	Pass	Double

	
        The first double shows a significantly better hand
than the second double.  But why?

        The difference is in the level of risk.  The first
Doubler didn't know whether or not LHO had a good hand.
THIS Doubler's partner could have held NOTHING.  If this
is the case, THIS Doubler is in very hot water!  Hence,
THIS Doubler needs a good hand--15+ points--to be 
"jumping in with both feet" here.

        The second Doubler knows something that the first
one didn't:  that Responder does NOT have a great hand
(since Responder did not make a move opposite Opener's
2S bid).  This second Doubler has some reason, then, to
suspect that hir partner holds some strength and that 
there is a "balance of power" at work here.  This second
Doubler, then, is "balancing" in the passout seat in
order to scramble for a makeable contract and/or bump
the opponents up one level in the hopes of setting them.
This explains the difference between a "direct" double
(i.e. the first example, DIRECTLY over the 2S opening)
and a "balancing" one (i.e. in the second example, in
the passout seat).

        Doubles and bids in the passout ("balancing")
seat, then, must often be "discounted" a few HCPs.
Partner must be careful not to get too excited, since
the balancing partner is ALREADY counting on some
strength from partner!

xxx

Qxxx

Axx

KJx

	
        After 2S-Dble-P jump to 4H.  But after 
        2S-P-P-Dble you must content yourself with
        only 3H.   


        ----------  Balancing with 1NT  ------------

        Parenthetically, we see the same discounting 
with our 1NT overcalls:  1H-1NT promises 15-18 points, 
but 1H-P-P-1NT promises only 10-12 (NOT vul) or 
12-14 (VUL) points and a flat hand with little interest 
in the majors (else a takeout double).

Hand #1:	K10x	AJx	Q10xx	AQx
Hand #2:	K10x	AJx	Q10xx	Qxx

	
        With Hand #1, we might overcall 1NT directly
over RHO's 1C, 1D, 1H or 1S opening bid.  Hand #2 will 
bid 1NT, also, but ONLY if Opener's bid is passed around 
to it.

            ---------  When to Defend  ----------

        Consistent with the Law of Total Tricks, the time
to defend is when you do NOT have a good fit.  Here is an
extreme example:

Opener:

AKx

AKxxxx

KQx

Responder #1:	xxx	xxx	xxx	xxxx
Responder #2:	xxxx	xxx	x	xxxxxx

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1D	1H	Pass	2H
3D	3H	Pass	Pass
Double	Pass	???	.

		
        Responder #1 cannot pass the double here, since
Responder's D-xxx should tell hir that Opener's D-AK may 
not take tricks and there will certainly not be a Diamond 
ruff by the defence!  Bid 4D here.

        Responder #2, however, can pass the double, knowing
that Opener's Diamond tricks are far more likely to cash,
and that a 3rd round ruff is even possible if the Diamonds
break 3-3!

            -----  The Maximal Double  -----

        One of the more useful weapons at our disposal
is a type of takeout double known as a "Maximal 
Double".  Maximal doubles occur whenever BOTH sides
have an established fit.  Here, doubling the opponents
for penalty is NOT likely to be profitable.

        In older texts, the Maximal double was called
a "Competitive Double".  But "Competitive" was a complete
misnomer, since the double does NOT serve to compete the
part score.  Rather, it aims towards GAME.  To make the
nomenclature even more confusing, "Competitive" Doubles
then migrated over time to mean something else entirely!

        For our purposes, then, we will speak of them as
"Maximal" doubles only.  Whenever you hear the expression 
"Maximal Double", then, think "Game-Inviting Double".

        Our general rule here is:  "When BOTH of us
have an agreed suit, any double BELOW the level of
3-of-our-suit by the person who first bid our suit is 
MAXIMAL, inviting GAME in our agreed suit.  BIDDING 
our suit without such a double is COMPETING, DENYING game 
interest."  This distinction between "MAXIMAL" and 
"COMPETING" is vital.  Remember:  only the player who
will be DECLARER can make such a double.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	2S	-
3H	Double	.	.	"Maximal". Invites 4S.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	2S	-
3H	3S	.	.	*Competing. Does not* invite 4S.**

Advancer	Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Explanation of Action
.	1C	1H	1S	-
2H	2S	3H	Double	"Maximal". Invites 4S.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1H	2C	2H	-
3C	Double	.	.	"Maximal". Invites 4H.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1H	2C	2H	-
3C	Pass	Pass	Double	*Optional. Partner* bid Hearts 1st!**

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	1S	2H	Pass	-
Pass	2S	3H	Double	*Penalty. No fit* is established!**

	
       Most experienced players play competitive doubles
below the level of 3-of-their-agreed-suit.  If we switch 
the auction a little:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1S	2H	2S	3H	-
3S	Double	.	.	*Optional. Too high* for "Competitive".**

        ...then the double is optional, asking Partner
to PASS unless Partner has extra trump length or a very
distributional hand.  By "distributional" in this sense,
we should discount any shortness in their suit, since
Partner's double suggests that Partner has length in
their trump and is therefore already aware of your
shortness.

        Generally speaking, a double in the balancing
(i.e. passout) seat after both sides have found a fit
is co-operative, NOT competitive.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1C	1S	2C	2S	-
3C	Pass	Pass	Double	Co-operative (i.e. optional).

        In the above example hand, Advancer's double
could not possible invite game, given the fact that
Advancer limited hir hand with the 2S bid, and because
Overcaller has limited hir hand with the pass of 3C.
Frankly, if Overcaller can't make a Maximal Double
directly over 3C, how can they be interested in 4S 
here?  Obviously, they can't be.  Hence, the double is
co-operative, asking partner to pass or, if very weak 
or holding extra Spades, remove to 3S.

        There is some question about whether or not
Maximal Doubles are part of SAYC-OK.  There is NO
mention of them in the SAYC-OK notes.  Does this mean
that they are NOT part of the SAYC arsenal?

        No.  MANY integral aspects of SAYC bidding
are NOT mentioned in these SAYC notes.  A careful
study of the section on what doubles are penalty
finds these types of auctions conspicuous by their
absence, with means that doubles in such instances
show extra values.  In turn, this suggests that
they may be Maximal or Co-operative.

        Nevertheless, this is something that you
must discuss with your partner.  Without such a
discussion, assume that all such doubles are
co-operative...and apply GENERAL RULE #1 a lot! :)


            --------  Questions  --------

1.  How can I remember this information about 
    competitive doubles?

2.  Will an unfamiliar novice partner understand that
    the Maximal double is for takeout and not 
    leave it in with a minimum hand or extra length 
    in our suit?


3.  I understand Penalty doubles and Takeout 
    doubles.  But what do I do opposite a 
    "CO-OPERATIVE" or "OPTIONAL" double?

	*****  Competitive Doubles  *****

	The logical extension of our "Dentist Rule"
(i.e. "When in doubt, pull it out!") is the Competitive
Double.  This double comes after both of us have bid but
we have not, as yet, found a fit.  Competitive Doubles   
appear most often in the passout seat but CAN occur in 
direct seat IF the opponents have found a fit by bidding 
and raising a suit.

	1C-P-1S-2D-P-P-Dble is Competitive.

	1C-1D-1S-2D-Dble is Competitive.

	1D-P-1S-2C is NOT Competitive since the 
opponents have not found a fit, but 1D-P-1S-2C-P-P-Dble
would be (since the double comes in the balancing seat).

	The Competitive Double typically suggests our
feeling that we have some extra values and need to hear
Partner bid again.  This often suggests secondary 
(i.e. poorish) support for Partner's suit, 4 card length
in the unbids, and/or an extra card in our own suit.

	S- Q10xxx  H- xx   D- Jxx   C-AQx

	After 1D-P-1S-2H-P-P you will double, hoping
Partner can support Spades with 3-4 Spades or rebid a
minor.  Most pairs play Competitive Doubles up to 2S.

            --------  Questions  --------

1.  What is the difference between a pure balancing
    double and a Competitive Double in the passout seat?

2.  With a dead minimal S-Qx  H- Kx  D- Jxx  C-AQJxxx, 
    should I PASS or bid 2C freely over 1C-P-1H-1S ? 


          ****  Other, NON-SAYC Doubles  *****

        This section is included for interest sake
ONLY.  It will give you an idea of what SOME of your
more experienced opponents may be doing at your table.

           --------  BORIS Doubles  --------

	When THREE suits have been bid, one of
them by Opener's RHO, a double is PENALTY in 
standard methods.  1C-P-1D-1H-Dble and 1C-P-1D-1S-Dble
are BOTH business (i.e. penalty) doubles.  This is no
problem in the former instance, since after 1C-P-1D-1H
we could simply bid 1S if we had Spades.  But after
1C-P-1D-1S, a 2H bid would be a reverse, showing a 
GREAT hand.  What can Opener do with Hearts and a good
(but not great) hand?  

	We begin by asserting that Hearts are an
"inconvenient" suit here, since bidding them requires
going PAST our first bid suit.  In such instances, a
double shows that awkward suit, and about 15-18 points.
1C-P-1H-Dble, though, is still penalty.  Therefore, we
have what we Rainbowers call a "BORIS" double:  Business
OR Inconvenient Suit, depending on whether that fourth
suit is the very next suit or not.

         --------  Support Doubles  ---------

	The Support Double is made ONLY by OPENER,
and only when Responder has bid a suit, only to have
Opener's RHO overcall.  1C-P-1H-1S-Dble, then, is a
Support Double (if you and your partner agree to play
them).

	The Support Double shoes a better than
minimum hand (else PASS) with THREE card support for
RESPONDER's suit.  1C-P-1H-1S-Dble, therefore, shows
about 14+ points and THREE Hearts for partner.  With
FOUR Hearts, Opener would RAISE Responder's suit
directly.  1C-P-1H-1S-2H, then, promises 4+card support
if you play Support Doubles.

	While some will play Support Doubles only
at the ONE level, most will play them up to 2S.

           --------  BORIS Doubles  --------

	When THREE suits have been bid, one of
them by Opener's RHO, a double is PENALTY in 
standard methods.  1C-P-1D-1H-Dble and 1C-P-1D-1S-Dble
are BOTH business (i.e. penalty) doubles.  This is no
problem in the former instance, since after 1C-P-1D-1H
we could simply bid 1S if we had Spades.  But after
1C-P-1D-1S, a 2H bid would be a reverse, showing a 
GREAT hand.  What can Opener do with Hearts and a good
(but not great) hand?  

	We begin by asserting that Hearts are an
"inconvenient" suit here, since bidding them requires
going PAST our first bid suit.  In such instances, a
double shows that awkward suit, and about 15-18 points.
1C-P-1H-Dble, though, is still penalty.  Therefore, we
have what we Rainbowers call a "BORIS" double:  Business
OR Inconvenient Suit, depending on whether that fourth
suit is CHEAPER than our first bid suit or not.

         --------  Defensive Doubles  ---------

        A VERY useful tool for competing after WE
have overcalled is a "defensive" double.  These are
NOT part of SAYC and would require substantial 
discussion.  Thus, we will NOT discuss them here.
If you would like to read about them later, with an
eye towards playing them with your steady partner,
please refer to my article about them on my 
"personal" bridge web page at:

http://www.escape.ca/~ksired/bridge.htm

       --------  Responsive Doubles  ---------

        If partner makes a takeout double and your
RHO raises Opener's suit (e.g. 1D-Dble-2D) what does
a double by YOU mean?  In SAYC, such a double is
penalty.  But MANY pairs play Responsive doubles
in this instance.  The Responsive double shows 4+
cards in at least TWO of the unbid suits.  It is
like a takeout double opposite a takeout double.

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	2C	Double

        Here Advancer is doubling to show some
values (8+ points, since Advancer could pass)
and either Diamonds & Hearts, Diamonds and Spades
or Hearts and Spades.  With only ONE of the unbid
suits, Advancer would, of course, bid it directly
here.

        A more useful application of the Responsive
Doubles comes when partner has overcalled instead
of doubling.  Again, the Responsive Double shows 4+
cards in the unbid suits.  It is like a Negative
Double, but by ADVANCER, not Responder.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1D	2C	2D	Double	4-4 or better in the majors.


              ------  RAPID  ------

        As a matter of personal preference, I do
NOT play Responsive doubles opposite a takeout double 
but DO play them opposite an overcall.  I *do* play
a variation on this theme after a pre-emptive jump 
raise below the 3S level.  I call it a "Responsive 
Anti-Preemptive Invitational Double", or "RAPID".
RAPID comes up ONLY in these three auctions:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	3C	Double

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1D	Double	3D	Double

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1H	Double	3H	Double

        All of these show good hands, inviting game
(or slam)--usually in an unbid major.  Partner 
can DECLINE this invite by bidding the cheapest step.

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1C	Double	3C	Double
Pass	3D	.	.

        3D in the above auction shows any minimum hand for the
double.  Over 3D, Advancer can PASS (with Diamonds), rebid 3H or 
3S (NOT forcing) or move towards game.

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer
1S	Double	3S	Double

        This is penalty, since it is too high
to be INVITING 4H.  Playing RAPID, a free bid 
becomes merely competitive.  Doubler will ONLY
venture on to game with 18+ points.

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1D	Double	3D	3H	Competing only.


          ------  Questions  ------

1.  Isn't "Responsive Double" yet anther misnomer?
    Since it is ADVANCER that uses them, not
    Responder, shouldn't we think of them as
    "Advancing Doubles"?

2.  Playing with an unfamilar partner on OKBridge,
    how should I take 1H-Dble-2H-DOUBLE ?
 
3.  Will an unfamiliar but experienced partner 
    understand what "Responsive Doubles" are?

4.  Will an unfamiliar but experienced partner
    understand what "RAPID" doubles are?

5.  RAPID invites "game or slam".  What if Advancer
    wants to force game but NOT invite slam?
  

                 ----  Quiz  ----

1.  Matchpoints.  Neither side vulnerable:

Opener	Doubler	Responder	Advancer	Explanation of Action
1H	Pass	1S	Pass	-
2H	Double	.	.	What is the double?

    And what should you bid with:

Hand #1:	Qxxx	void	Kxxx	xxxxx
Hand #2:	xxx	x	xxx	xxxxxx

	

2.  MatchPoints.  Neither side vulnerable.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1H	1S	2H	2S
3H	????	.	.

    What do you bid with:

Hand #1:	KJxxx	xx	Axx	xxx
Hand #2:	KJxxxx	xx	Ax	xxx
Hand #3:	KQxxxx	xx	Ax	K10x

	       


3.  MatchPoints.  Neither side vulnerable.

Opener	Advancer	Responder	Dbler/OvrClr
1S	Pass	1NT	????

    What do you bid with:

Hand #1:	AQJ10x	Kxx	Ax	xxx
Hand #1:	x	Kxxx	Axxxx	KQxx

RAINBOW Series

The Rainbow Series, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 PST every weekday, is a lecture program on the SAYC system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of SAYC. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Rainbow Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students. Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and "eavesdrop" on the discussion from the Spectator's Loft.

If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Rainbow Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca

Lesson #1: Opening Bids	Lesson #2: Responses to Opening Bids
Lesson #3: Rebidding Strategies	Lesson #4: Interference
Lesson #5: OverCalls & Takeout Doubles	Lesson #6: Two-Suited Overcalls
Lesson #7: Pre-Empts	Lesson #8: Competing with Doubles
Lesson #9: Lebensohl	Lesson #10: Defensive Signalling
Lesson #11: Defensive Strategies	Lesson #12: Declarer Play

General Rules of SAYC Bidding	Fit Inspired Bids - "FIBs"
Doubles	Cuebids
IMPs Versus MatchPoints	Lebensohl
Hand Evaluation	Defensive Signals
Jacoby Transfers	Pre-Empts
Jacoby 2NT Response to 1H or 1S	Michaels Cuebids
3 Types of Responding Hands	Percentages in Bridge
Roman Key Card Blackwood	BROZEL over their 1NT
4th Suit Force	Assume Jumps Are Raises
Glossary of Terms	Colin's Rules of Bridge

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