Monday, February 19, 2007 7:23 PM

The Redouble

PITBULLS:

When the opponents double , the redouble was designed to show no fit and 10+ HCP. The bid in effect is saying “let the doubling commence” . All doubles are penalty . Some experts have come up with a modification to that “all doubles are penalty” rule. Instead , all initial doubles of an opponents bid are takeout but with enough defense to convert partners penalty pass. If you have a penalty double you just pass & when partner doubles for T/O , you convert.

This doubling style is not unlike negative & D.S.I.P. double theory.

You still punish the opponents with the appropriate hand but where you gain is when they wiggle out of trouble by finding a nice fit. Partner doubling for the other suits now makes competing, game bidding & slam bidding much easier. For example , you open 1♦ with ♠AJx ♥x ♦Axxxx ♣AJ10x and they make a T/O double & partner redoubles and they bid 1♥. If you bid 2♣ you rescue them if partner has a heart stack. If you pass and partner does not have a penalty double , she has no clue on what your hand type is or if you have good defense . You double 1♥ and partner converts and they go for –800 in 1♥ doubled as partner has 5 good hearts.

Change partners hand to ♠K10 ♥xxx ♦Kx ♣KQxxxx and with partners known shortness in hearts ( she doubled for T/O ) , you may get to 6♣ for +1370 . With this redouble style , when you bid in front of either partner , you are saying you have so much distribution , you are always pulling partners double.

Doubling for T/O by the redoubler in the pass out seat also describes her hand. You now know the redoubler is short in two suits , your suit and the opponents suit. ♠KQxx ♥xx ♦xx ♣AKxxx . Partner opens 1♦ and the T/O double gets XX’d & they bid 1♥ so around to you. You double showing a defensive hand and partner converts with her 4 hearts. My teammate held this hand . ♠J10xx ♥AKxx ♦KJ10x ♣x and opened 1♦. They doubled and partner XX’s and 2♣ to your right. Playing standard methods you must pass in case partner had a penalty double of 2♣. Partner held ♠AQ98 ♥xx ♦Qxxx ♣Axx and at the table decided to double. This made for –180 and 4♠ made at the other table for –620.

Playing these new XX understandings, the opener will double 2♣ showing shortness and you get to your 4♠ game which makes even with the 4-1 spade break. If the redoubler just bids 2♦ , you probably play it there. The problem with the old fashioned XX sequences is neither partner really describes their hand very well. You fall victim to off shape T/O doubles or very light T/O doubles where the opponents land on their feet.