Now we enter into the part of the card dealing largely with competitive auctions. In the top left corner of the convention we get to describe what our doubles mean when we open the bidding and then our opponents overcall.
We have checked two boxes: Negative doubles and Responsive doubles. We have indicated that these doubles will apply up through an opponent bid of 4H. We'll describe these doubles generally first, and then show some example auctions.
Negative Double: Your partner opens the bidding and your right-hand opponent overcalls. A double by you in this situation shows at least 4 cards in the unbid majors, and at least 6 points (more if the auction is at a higher level, or if partner will be forced to a higher level by your bid). This means that if you bid the major rather than double, you show at least 5 cards in the suit. Note that a negative double does not explicitly show or deny card in the unbid minors.
Responsive Double: This bid is in response to partner's takeout double, so the auction must have progressed a fair bit to get here. Here's the standard scenario: Your LHO opens the bidding, your partner doubles for takeout, and your RHO raises LHO's suit. A double by you now is a responsive double. It indicates a desire to compete, but doubt as to the best suit. If the opponents are bidding a minor suit, it asks partner for her better major. If the opponents are bidding a major suit, it asks for the better minor.
Now let's look at some sample auctions.
For negative doubles, the first bid will be your partner, and the second will be your intervening opponent.
1D-1S-X: A negative double showing at least 4 hearts and 6+ points. If you have 5 hearts and 10 points, you should choose to bid 2H instead.
1D-1H-X: A negative double showing exactly 4 spades and 6+ points. With 5+ spades, simply bid the suit!
1H-2D-X: A negative double showing 4+ hearts and 8+ points. Now that the auction is on the two level, you should be a tad stronger to bid.
1S-2D-X: A negative double showing 4+ hearts and 8+ points. With 5+ hearts and 10+ points, simply bid 2H.
1H-3D-X: A negative double showing 4+ spades and 10+ points. This bid probably is more likely to also have club support; this gives a bit more safety.
1C-1D-X: A negative double showing at least 4 hearts and 4 spades.
The one element in common to all these bids: At least 4 cards in all unbid majors after partner opens and opponents overcall. The strength varies based on level. The likelihood of the suit being 5+ cards also varies based on the situation.
For responsive doubles, the first bid will be your LHO opponent, your partner will (usually) double, and then your RHO opponent will bid.
1D-X-2D-X: A responsive double showing equal length majors and asking partner to choose. With a major and a minor you would bid the major rather than double.
1H-X-2H-X: A responsive double showing equal length minors (and short spades or you'd bid them) and asking partner to choose between minors.
1C-X-1D-X: A responsive double showing equal length majors and asking partner to choose.
1D-X-4D-X: A responsive double asking partner to pick a major.
1C-1D-2C-X: This doesn't fit our pattern, but it is also a responsive double showing the majors (probably 5-5 here). You should be a bit stronger, as the is more of a chance for a misfit.
The element in common to all these bids: You know (or strongly suspect) that you have a fit, but you want to play in the best one. Of course, we'd prefer a major to a minor, so we use this bid only when we need help deciding between two majors or deciding between two minors. Finally, you need to have an appropriate number of points to the level. In summary, you want to compete, but you aren't sure of the suit yet, and partner has doubled (or occasionally bid a suit).
These doubles are all fairly standard within the ACBL. If you sit down to play with a new partner most likely they will assume that your doubles have these meanings. As a result no alerts or announcements are necessary for our special doubles.
Next Up: No Trump Overcalls
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