Friday, September 26, 2003 12:38 AM

Negative Double Theory

PITBULLS:

Two hands that came up on Thurs nite IMPS which emphasizes negative double theory . Negative doubles were invented to describe hands that can not be bid naturally . In other words , if you have a natural bid that make it rather then muddy the waters with a double.

A	Q	A	x
x	10	K
x	x	10
x		9
		x

Partner opens 1♥ and RHO bids 3♣ . Should you make a negative double as you have both unbid suits and your 4-4 spade fit might play better ? No , because you have a natural 3♦ bid to “show where you live” in an auction where the opponents might be sacrificing . A 4♣ bid would show the heart fit but partner with her possible diamond fit might be poorly placed to make a decision. So you bid 3♦ and LHO passes and partner bids 3♥ . You now Q bid 4♣ to show you heart fit and club control and LHO bids 5♣ . Now forcing pass theory comes into play .

K	K	J	K
J	J	x
10	9
x	8
	7
	x

The opponents have given you a chance to describe your “dog” . You thank them and gratefully double . Hearts are 2-2 so you get 2 spades and a heart and a diamond for +300 and 5 heart goes down on a diamond ruff.

Re-opening doubles are an important part of negative double theory. You should bend over backwards to re-open with a double but with a caveat that you “play the vulnerability” . My partner held

J	J	A	A
x		Q	K
		J	x
		10	x
		x	x

Vul , you open 1♦ and a 2♥ weak jump overcall and all pass around to you . There Is a strong chance that partner has a penalty double of 2♥ . Do you want to give her a chance to convert on this vulnerability ? Partner could have long clubs with hearts and thinks that since you have spades and diamonds its best to go for the penalty. You might be cold for 6 clubs vul . If the vulnerability were equal or reversed I would always double with this hand . Vul against not though I bid 3♣ not letting partner convert for penalty. Turns out that 2♥ X goes for –300 and 6♣ makes without a spade lead. Doubling with this hand may also rescue them to a spade sacrifice if the auction gains some momentum towards a club contract.

Another hand along the same theme. You hold x xx AQx AKxxxxx and with everyone vul you open 1♣. LHO overcalls 1♠ and around to you again. You can smell a spade penalty conversion a mile away so do you double ? No , you have a good offensive so bid 2♣. Why not 3♣ ? partner knows you have a good offensive hand or else you would have doubled with a bad defensive hand. Keeping the level low pays unexpected dividends as LHO backs in 2♥ and a resounding double by partner. +1100 for your side.