September 2022 - 36

Conventional
Wisdom - part 6
In each of the next several issues, we'll break down a
section of the new ACBL convention card. See pages
18-19 of the March issue for the complete card and a
glossary of terms and abbreviations.
B
ridge is very competitive. Uncontested
auctions are increasingly
uncommon as players often enter
the bidding with very few high-card points.
Yet, for all the bidding that can occur at low
levels, many doubles there are played as
something other than penalty. There are
more opportunities to use these versatile
doubles as showing the unbid suits or support
for partner than a desire to defend.
Negative and responsive doubles tend to
show support for the unbid suits. For examFor
Negative, Responsive and
Support doubles, check the box
and indicate how high you play
that type of double. For example,
if you play Responsive doubles
through 4l, check the box
and write 4l in the line next
to " Thru. " Note that Support
doubles and redoubles (Rdbl)
are not in red and no longer
require an Alert.
ple, if partner opens the bidding 1 and your
RHO overcalls 2l, a double by you shows
length in hearts and clubs. A typical responsive
double is when your partner makes a
negative double (showing length in the unbid
suits), and you would like to compete but
have no clear direction, so you double.
Support doubles occur when partner opens
the bidding, you respond in a suit and there
is competition. Your partner, the opener, can
double or redouble to show exactly threecard
support for the suit you bid.
Immediate Penalty doubles at low
levels are so rare that they do require
an Alert.
You
LHO
1k 1
Partner RHO
1' Pass
Dbl
Most partnerships play support doubles
through to a lower level because it could be
that you have a seven-card fit. For example,
if the intervening bid had been 2, you and
your partner need to discuss whether the
double would still be support.
Maximal doubles occur in competitive auctions,
typically after the opponents interfere and take
up bidding room. In certain situations (usually at
the three level), a double of the opponents' suit
becomes a game try. A classic example:
You
Negative Thru________ Penalty
Responsive Thru ________ Maximal
Support Thru_________ Rdbl
T/O Style
1-Lvl _____to_____ Often 4 Cards
T/O Style This line isn't to let the opponents
know if you prefer Chinese or Thai food, it's
your " takeout double style. " Some partnership
agreements on takeout doubles include offshape
hands, balanced hands, " card-showing "
doubles or takeout doubles with hands that are
less than opening strength. Your partnership's
general approach to takeout doubles can be
noted on this line.
Vs:
36 | Bridge Bulletin | September 2022
Michaels
2-Lvl _____to_____
Jump Overcalls: Wk Int Str
Conv _____________________________
LHO
1 2k
Dbl
Direct 1NT _____ to _____ Systems On
Systems On
Other______________
______________
Balance 1NT ____ to ____
Conv ______________________________
Jump to 2NT: 2 Lowest Unbid
Other _______________________________
Other Any other type of conventional double in
your partnership agreements can be written in
this line.
Dbl
2
Responses
New Suit: F NFConst NF Tfr
Jump Raise: Wk Mixed Inv
Cuebids ________________ Support
Other _______________________________
Art Quasi
Nat
Nat
♣♢ ♣♢ ♣♢ ♡♠
2
2
2
Vs Vs
Dbl
♣
♢
♡
♠
2NT
2
2
2
2
♣
♢
♡
♠
2NT
Other _______________________________
New Suit F: 2 Lvl Tfr
Jump Shift: Wk Inv F Fit
Rdbl: 10+
2NT Over: Nat Raise Range
Conv
Partner
2
RHO
3k
Some pairs define a double by opener as a hand
with game interest.
Names
___________________
___________
General Approach
Min Expected HCP when Ba
Forcing Open: ♣ 2
Bids That May Require Prep
____________________________
1♣ Resp ______________
Min Length: 5 4
_________________
______________________________________________
1♦ ________________
4
_____________________________
1NT_______ to _______
2NT_______ to _______
1NT_______ to _______
♢
1
Bypass 5+
2NT_______ to _______
Min Length: 5
_________________
Resp
1 ♣ O
CUEBIDS
OVERCALLS
DOUBLES
OUT DBL
vs 1NT OPENING
NT OVERCALLS
MINORS
OVERVIEW
September 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2022
