PLAY BRIDGE

strength inference involved. Whereas

a two-level negative double could
show as few as 8 HCP as described
above, a direct two-level bid such
as your 2 shows at least the
same number of number of points
required for a two-over-one response
in “standard” bidding — 10 HCP.
(Note that some players would treat
2 as a game force, so their two-
level bids would promise even more
— an opening hand.) An easy way
to remember this is to consider what
you need to bid 2 if North had
 Negative double tive double promise? It depends. not interfered. Most systems require

O
ne of the most commonly The suggested minimum strength a minimum of 10 points to make a
used treatments in modern for a negative double that would new-suit two-level response.
bidding is the negative force partner to bid at the one level This is a big help to opener, be-
double. The negative double is an is typically 6 points. In the second cause it immediately tells him some-
extremely broad topic, far beyond auction, East could double on as thing about your strength and heart
the scope of a single article to de- little as: length. For example, say you held:
scribe fully, but following are some K J 7 5 10 3 9 8 4 Q 9 7 2. K 7 A 9 4 K Q J 8 2 10 8 2.
important points. (With a good fit for partner’s first You open 1, LHO overcalls
In its simplest form, the nega- suit, some players would do it on 1 and partner bids 2. What do
tive double’s objective is to express even less.) we know about partner’s hand? She
values and length in the unbid suits If the double would force partner has at least five hearts (a negative
— particularly the unbid major(s) to bid at the two level (as in the double would have promised only
— in a competitive auction. For first auction), 8 points is a good four) and at least 10 HCP, making
example: minimum. To force partner to the the raise to 3 a standout.
West North East South three level — in an auction such as: The negative double lets you
1 1 Dbl West North East South tackle problem hands such as this:
Defining East’s double as penalty 1 2 Dbl K Q 10 9 6 5 J 5 Q 9 8 5 2.
is impractical: a “business” double — East should have at least 10 Partner opens 1 and RHO over-
of a one-level overcall occurs too high-card points. The higher you calls 2. You can’t bid 2 directly.
rarely to worry about. It’s much force partner to bid, the more you That would show a good hand — at
more common to have moderate should have. least 10 HCP. You can, however,
values and a heart suit after the auc- As opener, partner’s negative make a negative double. If partner
tion begins in this manner, so most double can help you choose your bids 2, you will bid 2. Partner
players use the double to show a rebid. Say you hold: will know that you have a relatively
hand such as: A 7 Q J 6 3 8 7 6 A Q 6 2. weak hand with a long spade suit,
J 8 Q 9 7 4 Q 8 5 4 K 4 2 After opening 1, left-hand op- because you doubled first.
or perhaps: ponent overcalls 1 and partner Special case
Q 5 3 K J 8 7 4 9 6 Q 10 5 doubles (negative). This strongly In the auction:
or even: suggests at least four hearts and West North East South
A 3 A Q 8 5 K 5 2 J 7 6 3. appropriate values. If RHO passes, 1 1 Dbl
The negative double is vital you have an easy 2 rebid. (Note East’s double should show both ma-
because it alerts opener to the pos- that this does not promise extra val- jors. What happens, however, if East
sibility of a heart fit. The double ues; you’re just “raising” partner’s is dealt a hand such as:
can also be used, however, to show hearts.) A J 9 5 Q 8 Q 10 6 2 9 8 7?
spades in an auction such as: Using the negative double, what In this case, East should bid 1.
West North East South would this auction mean? Ordinarily, a direct bid shows a
1 1 Dbl Partner RHO You LHO five-card or longer suit, but in this
Most players in North America 1 2 2 auction (a 1 opening and a 1
use this sequence to show exactly If you had doubled, the double overcall), a 1 or 1 response may
four spades. With five or more would have shown exactly four be made on a four-card suit. The
spades, East could simply bid 1. hearts. The 2 bid, therefore negative double should be reserved
How much strength does a nega- shows five or more. There is also a for a hand with both majors. 

44 Bridge Bulletin