Negative Doubles

♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

This page includes an introduction to negative doubles with lots of examples for beginners. It also includes extended discussions more appropriate for intermediates. So this page could have been placed either in the beginners bidding section or the intermediate section of Bridge Bears.

Placing it at the end of the beginners section, as I have, is my attempt to stretch your understanding of bidding considerations in ways that apply to all auctions, not just negative doubles.

I invite you to send me feedback about how successful and useful this hybrid approach is for you.

Standard American bidding is efficient at finding the best contract, provided our opponents cooperate by staying silent.

However, it's not part of our dastardly opponents' goals to be cooperative. In fact, they seek every opportunity to mess up our bidding. Even a simple one-level overcall can damage our bidding. Fortunately, adopting negative doubles repairs most of the damage caused by an overcall.

What is a negative double?

A negative double is a takeout double by responder, after a suit overcall.

At the 1 level, a negative double promises...

6+ hcp
at least 4 cards in each unbid major

For example,
1♣ (1♠) dbl

The double promises 4+ hearts, with the same 6+ hcp as when you respond 1♥ in an uncontested auction.

Little Bear interrupts, "Wait... I'm still thinking about "damage" to our bidding. What damage? Don't I need to know what damage an overcall can cause before I can understand how negative doubles can repair it?"

Me: "OK, my concerned quadruped in a quandary, before we begin our discussion of negative doubles, let's do a thought experiment to consider how overcalls can damage our bidding."

A Damaging Overcall

This example comes from many years ago (early 1950's), before negative doubles were invented. At that time, a double after an overcall was played as "penalty."

example 1

♠ 7 5 2
♥ K J 6 4
♦ Q 8
♣ J 9 4 3

Without an overcall, this hand would be a perfectly good 1♥ response, showing 6+ hcp and 4+ hearts.

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	P	1♥

But after a 1♠ overcall...

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♠	?

you cannot bid 1♥ because the 1♠ overcall outranks 1♥
you cannot bid 1N without a spade stopper
you cannot raise Partner's diamonds without diamond support
you cannot introduce a new suit at the two level with only 7 hcp
you cannot make a penalty double because you have no assurance you can defeat their 1♠ contract.

So... back in the dark ages of bridge bidding, before negative doubles were invented, you would have been unable to make any call other than "Pass." Even in modern times, if you and your partner do not agree to play negative doubles, you will have to pass.

To summarize:

With old fashioned bidding, not only have you been unable to show your major suit in search of a fit, but you have also been unable to tell Partner that you have 6+ hcp – enough to make it safe for her to continue bidding in search of the best contract.

So the overcall has stopped you from describing your hand, and limited Partner's rebids as well. In short, it's done considerable "damage" to your partnership's bidding options.

A More Damaging Raise

Sadly, after your old-fashioned pass, the damage gets even worse if your left-hand opponent raises the 1♠ overcall.

example 1 (repeated)

♠ 7 5 2
♥ K J 6 4
♦ Q 8
♣ J 9 4 3

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♠	P
2♠	?

After West raises the overcall to 2♠, Partner can neither risk looking for a heart fit at the three level nor bid 2N without lots of extra hcp's. Even looking for a minor suit fit would be risky because she would have to bid at the three level. That would be asking for trouble facing your passed hand that might have no points and no fit.

Little Bear looks thoughtful, "I see why you call the overcall damaging. I guess I'm ready to see how negative doubles are sweet enough to repair the damage."

A Negative Double to the Rescue

Now let's switch back to modern bidding agreements to see how a negative double repairs the damage that would otherwise be done by the opponents' bidding.

example 1 (repeated, again)

♠ 7 5 2
♥ K J 6 4
♦ Q 8
♣ J 9 4 3

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♠	dbl

The negative double promises 4+ hearts and 6+ hcp. Without the conventional negative double, this hand would be shut out of the bidding by the 1♠ overcall.

Telling Partner about your hcp and your heart suit repairs the damage the overcall would have done if you had been forced to pass.

A more complete description of this "repair"...

Your negative double promises 4+ hearts, so our highest priority (searching for a major suit fit) is satisfied. With a 4-4 fit, Opener can now bid hearts at whatever level matches the strength of her hand.
You have promised 6+ hcp, so Opener can afford to rebid 1N even with a minimum strength hand, satisfying our second bidding priority (finding a NT contract). And she will be able to bid or invite a NT game if she has enough extra strength.
Even a 2♠ raise by Advancer wouldn't shut Partner out of the bidding because she could count on you to have the strength and distribution your negative double has promised. That does not mean she would always bid on the 3-level, but she has enough information about your hand to make a wise decision. (This might be a good time to review the Bridge Bears' page on competing to the 3 level.)

If you have 5+ hearts, instead of only 4, can you still make a negative double?

It depends on the strength of your hand. Let's look at two hands – one where you do not double, and one where you do.

example 2

♠ 7 2
♥ K J 6 4 2
♦ Q 8
♣ A 9 4 3

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♠	?

You do not need a negative double when your hand is good enough to introduce your hearts at the two level. The minimum for such a bid is 10+ hcp with a 5+ suit.

With this hand, respond 2♥ to show Partner your 10+ hcp and your extra major suit length (5+) all in one bid.

Even if faced with further competitive bidding by your meddlesome opponents, Partner will know...

if you have a major suit fit
if she has good enough spade stopper(s) for bidding NT
if your partnership strength is enough to bid game or only a partial

In short, Partner is happy with your bidding.

But what if you have 5+ hearts with only 6-9 hcp?

example 3

♠ 7 2
♥ K J 6 4 2
♦ Q 8
♣ J 9 4 3

You cannot go to the 2-level because you do not have 10+ hcp, so make a negative double at the one level.

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♠	dbl

Partner won't immediately know about your 5th heart. But later you may be able to finish the description of your hand by rebidding hearts.

Promising 4+ hearts and 6+ hcp with your negative double is valuable information for Partner even if you never get to show your extra heart. It's similar to responding 1♥ when there is no 1♠ overcall.

Review:
After the 1♠ overcall, a negative double shows...

4 hearts with 6+ hcp
or 5+ hearts with 6-9 hcp

Practice after a 1♠ overcall

What would you bid after the 1♠ overcall with each of the following hands?

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠T83 ♥QT74 ♦98 ♣KJ62

Double. You have 6 hcp and 4 hearts, which meets the minimum requirements for a negative double.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠J7 ♥QT74 ♦AJ54 ♣QJ2

Double. You have 11 hcp and 4 hearts. This time you have invitational strength. First, use a negative double to look for a 4-4 major sit fit, then show your invitational strength on the next round of bidding – just as you would do if there had been no overcall.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠932 ♥AJ74 ♦K8 ♣KQ62

Double. You have 13 hcp and 4 hearts. Even with a full opening hand, start with a negative double to look for a 4-4 major sit fit, then show your strength on the next round of bidding. If Partner does not have a heart fit, cue bid spades to ask her for a spade stopper.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠652 ♥QT74 ♦J94 ♣Q97

Pass. 5 hcp is not enough. And besides, after subtracting a point for bad shape, this is a 4-point hand.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠86 ♥QJT74 ♦Q3 ♣AJ97

Bid 2♥. With 10+ hcp and 5+ hearts you can show or extra suit length and your extra hcp all at once.

1♣ (1♠) ?
♠86 ♥QJT743 ♦4 ♣AJ97

Double. You cannot bid hearts at the two level without 10+ hcp, at least not on your first bid. When you start with a negative double and later bid 2♥, Partner will know you have 6-9 hcp and 5+ hearts. You have a very good hand for this sequence.

In fact, with a fit for Partner's clubs and a good 6-card suit, your hand is so good you might even jump to 3♥ for your rebid. Your negative double followed by bidding the major you've already promised limits your hand to 6-9 hcp, so Partner will know that your jump shows better than expected hearts and good distribution. This detailed description-by-inference is only possible because your sequence of bidding hearts after your negative double limited your hand to 6-9 hcp.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠5 ♥QJT743 ♦T32 ♣J97

Pass. 4 hcp is not enough, even with your good 6 card suit. The bidding is not over, so you may get a chance to bid your hearts later. If that happens, Partner will know you have long hearts, but fewer than 6 hcp.

1♦ (1♠) ?
♠AJT ♥KJ43 ♦T2 ♣KQ97

Double to show 4+ hearts. Yes, you have excellent spades for declaring NT, and enough hcp for 3N, but looking for a major suit fit is a higher priority than bidding NT. If Partner does not support hearts, rebid 3N.

Showing Spades is Different

example 4

♠ Q T 9 7 3
♥ T 4 2
♦ K 4
♣ Q 3 2

West	North	East	South
–	1♦	1♥	?

After a 1♥ overcall, the one-level is still available for a spade bid. So you can bid 1♠ to show 5+ cards (without needing 10+ hcp). Make a negative double when you have only 4 spades.

After the 1♥ overcall...

double = 4 spades with 6+ hcp
1♠ = 5+ spades with 6+ hcp

This is more specific information about your suit length than if the overcall had not happened.

Partner will choose a rebid assuming your hcp are 6-9. If you actually have a stronger hand, you can bid again later, as we do in unopposed auctions.

Practice after a 1♥ overcall

What would you bid after the 1♥ overcall with each of the following hands?

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠QT93 ♥T974 ♦J8 ♣K82

Double. You have 6 hcp and 4 spades. Your double shows exactly 4 spades. When Partner makes a rebid, she will count on you for just this sort of hand.

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠AT843 ♥6 ♦Q98 ♣A962

Bid 1♠. You have 10 hcp (invitational strength) and 5 spades. Show your spade length first, and wait for your next bid to show your invitational strength – just as you would if there had been no overcall.

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠AQ73 ♥KJ74 ♦A8 ♣AT6

Double. You have 18 hcp and 4 spades. Even with a very strong hand, start with a negative double to look for a 4-4 spade fit. If Partner does not show a spade fit, jump to 3N on the next round of bidding.

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠QT54 ♥T5 ♦943 ♣QJ97

Pass. Your distribution is good, but 5 hcp is not enough.

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠KQT72 ♥T754 ♦3 ♣J97

Bid 1♠. With only 6 hcp and your fifth spade already shown, you don't expect to bid again, even if Partner rebids 2♦.

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠8763 ♥5 ♦KT653 ♣AJ7

Double. Your negative double promises 4 spades. (Yes, you DO have 4 spades.) Partner will show a 4-4 spade fit if she has it.

Otherwise, you'll put her back in her diamond suit, where she will be happy when you put down such a nice dummy. Of course, you may not be able to tell she's happy, because she will always politely say, "Thank you, Partner" even when you put down a lousy dummy. :)

1♦ (1♥) ?
♠KJ92 ♥QJT8 ♦52 ♣KJT

Double to promise 4 spades. 11 hcp is invitational strength. If Partner supports spades, raise to invite game. If she rebids a minor suit, rebid 2N, inviting a no trump game.

Negative Doubles With Both Unbid Majors

After a 1♦ overcall, a negative double promises 6+ hcp with both unbid majors.

example 5 – both majors

♠ Q 8 7 3
♥ J 9 4 2
♦ 7 4
♣ K 3 2

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	dbl

This hand is a bare minimum negative double. After the 1♦ overcall, it tells Partner that you hold 6+ hcp with both major suits. Showing 2 suits at once is a more complete description of your hand than if East had not overcalled and you had responded 1♥ . So when playing negative doubles you might say that a 1♦ overcall helps you.

Even if West now raises diamonds, Partner will be well-placed to make a wise decision about competing.

example 6 – just one major

♠ J 7 4
♥ K J T 3
♦ K 4
♣ T 6 3 2

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	?

At the one level, if you only have only one of the two unbid majors, you cannot make a negative double. So just bid the major you have. A 1♥ response is the same bid you would make in an uncontested auction.

What Do You Bid With Both Majors, and Extra Length?

Experienced players do not agree about how to handle 1-level negative doubles with both majors and extra length. Some advise always bidding the major suit when you have 5+. Others say to start with a negative double, showing both majors, and hope to show extra length with your next bid.

I believe a hybrid of the two is best, following the pattern we have already learned for showing 5+ hearts after a 1♠ overcall.

With both majors, and extra length (5+) in at least one of them:

with 6-9 hcp, start with a negative double
with 10+ hcp, start by bidding the longer major (bid 1♥ or 1♠)

example 7 – extra length (6-9 hcp)

♠ K J 9 7 3
♥ Q T 4 2
♦ K 4
♣ T 6

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	?

With only 6-9 hcp, start with a double to show both majors, and later you may be able to bid spades to show extra length. Rebidding spades will also clarify your minimum (6-9 hcp) strength because you didn't start by bidding your 5+ major.

example 8 – extra length (10+ hcp)

♠ K J 9 7 3
♥ Q T 4 2
♦ K 4
♣ T 6

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	?

With 10+ hcp, bid your longer major first, then follow-up with showing your 4-card major. When you later show the other major, Partner will know you have 10+ hcp because you did not start with a negative double.

The auction might continue like this:

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	1♠
2♦	P	P	dbl

Your second bid is a take out double, showing 4 hearts – the only remaining unbid suit. Partner will be able to count on you for 10+ hcp because you didn't start by showing both of your majors with a negative double.

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	1♠
2♦	P	P	2♥

Bidding both majors instead of doubling shows 5-5 or better. Curiously, playing negative doubles has added more accuracy to your hand description even when you have chosen to bid a suit directly without making a negative double.

However...

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	1♠
P	2♣	P	2♥

If Partner has made the last bid, you cannot double. So you may have to bid 2♥ yourself with either a 4 or a 5 card heart suit. Your sequence shows 10+ hcp, so partner will not pass, giving you the chance to rebid hearts, showing extra length in both of your suits.

Practice after a 1♦ overcall

What would you bid after the 1♦ overcall with each of these hands?

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠K983 ♥AQT5 ♦6532 ♣4

Double. You have 9 hcp and both unbid majors. Your 9 hcp puts you at the top of the 6-9 range for a minimum response. Even so, this hand might prove disappointing if Partner does not have a fit for either of your major suits. You may hear Partner rebid clubs. If that happens, you'll be glad to have a few extra hcp above the bare 6 point minimum, making it easier for Partner to take 8 tricks without trump support.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠Q743 ♥K652 ♦J32 ♣42

Double. Some would pass this 6-point hand because it has a wasted point in the opponent's diamond suit, no tens or nines, and a poor holding in Partner's suit.

However, if you pass, you may lose your only chance to uncover a major suit fit, or to show the modest strength that allows Partner to bid NT or compete with rebiddable clubs. Even if Partner doesn't have any of those hands, she can always escape from a bad result by bidding one of your majors at the one-level with 3-card support.

So it's very likely your negative double will be better than passing.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠Q743 ♥Q652 ♦J32 ♣42

Pass. 5 hcp is not enough, especially with the same flaws we discussed in the previous two hands.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠KQJ52 ♥Q652 ♦Q32 ♣4

Bid 1♠. You could double with this distribution if you had a minimum hand (6-9 points). But you don't. You have 10. hcp.

If Partner makes the most disappointing rebid (2♣), you can continue with a 2♥ rebid to clarify your holdings. Your sequence would promise 10+ hcp (with 6-9 you would have doubled), extra length in spades (5+), and 4+ hearts. The plus in 10+ hcp means your hand is not limited. You might have enough strength for game and you just need Partner's help choosing which game. So your 2♥ rebid is forcing for one round.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠AQ8 ♥Q652 ♦2 ♣QT972

Bid 1♥. Yes, you have excellent support for Partner's clubs, but you can support clubs later if Partner doesn't have a fit with your hearts. Do not make a negative double because you don't have 4+ in both majors.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠KQ96 ♥QJT9 ♦QJT4 ♣5

Double. You have both majors with invitational values (11 hcp). If Partner rebids clubs, bid 2N to invite a NT game. If she supports one of your majors, recount your hand (13, including Dummy points) and jump to game in the major.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠J962 ♥AJ875 ♦43 ♣Q7

Double. With a minimum (6-9), start with a negative double. If you get the chance to rebid hearts, Partner will then know three things about your hand. She will know you have both majors, longer hearts, and 6-9 hcp.

1♣ (1♦) ?
♠AT92 ♥843 ♦– ♣T98765

Bid 1♠. Check for a major suit fit before retreating to the great fit you have for Partner's clubs.

Little Bear is shocked, "But I only have 4 hcp. You always tell me not to count any Dummy points until the bidding rules out NT. Partner can still bid NT, so why isn't this hand a Pass?"

Me: With a void in the opponents' suit, and six-card support for Partner's suit, you already know you will not let Partner play the hand in NT. So count Dummy points right away. The only question is which suit you would rather have as trump – spades or clubs.

Of course, your uncharitable opponents may outbid you. But if you wind up declaring the hand, your 1♠ response will get you to the right trump suit.

Showing Both Minors

example 9 – both minors

♠ T 7 3
♥ T 4
♦ K 9 8 4
♣ A T 3 2

West	North	East	South
–	1♥	1♠	?

After both majors have been bid, You can make a negative double to show 6+ hcp and 4-4 or better in the minors. You need 10 hcp to bid directly on the 2 level, so this negative double allows you to compete with less strength.

It denies 3-card heart support, though you might show doubleton support later in the auction, especially with a doubleton honor.

Opener's Responses to a 1-Level Negative Double

Opener's responses to a negative double follow a familiar order of priorities:

8-card major suit fits (supporting Responder's major)
NT (with a stopper)
minor suit rebids (searching for a fit)

For each of the following opening hands, think about what Responder's negative double promises, and what Opener's rebid should be.

1♣ (1♦) dbl (P)
♠T953 ♥A5 ♦AQ2 ♣QT87

What does the negative double show?

Partner's negative double promises either 4-4 in the majors with 6+ hcp, or only 6-9 hcp with both majors, including extra length in at least one of them.

What is your rebid?

Place Partner with a minimum 6-9 hcp with 4-4 shape. It would take 16-17 in your hand to invite. You have only 12 hcp with a spade fit, so make a minimum bid of 1♠. Do not bid 1N even though you have a double stop in diamonds, because majors come before NT.

If Partner has extra strength for her negative double, she will raise to 2♠ with 10-11 and bid game with 12+. Your 12 hcp is a minimum, so you will decline an invitation.

1♣ (1♦) dbl (P)
♠T3 ♥54 ♦AJT ♣AKT987

After Partner's negative double, what is your rebid?

Bid 1N, not 2♣. NT is a higher priority than minors.

Count on Partner to have 6-9 hcp for her negative double. With 10+ she might raise your 1N rebid. However, remember that if she rebids 2♥ or 2♠ after your 1N call, she shows only a minimum (6-9 hcp) with extra length (5+) in her suit. She would be choosing to play in her 5+ major instead of NT – not inviting game.

1♦ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠9 ♥AJ75 ♦AQ92 ♣KJ32

What does the negative double show?

Partner's negative double shows 4 hearts with 6+ hcp, or 5+ hearts with only 6-9 hcp.

What is your rebid?

You have invitational strength facing 6-9, so invite game with a jump to 3♥.

Partner knows you will make your invitation based on assuming she has a minimum of only 6-9, so she will accept with 8+ (after demoting honors in the opponents' spade suit, and promoting her hand for extra length if she happens to have 5+ hearts.)

1♦ (1♥) dbl (P)
♠AQ8 ♥75 ♦AQ92 ♣JT86

What does the negative double show?

Partner shows 6+ hcp with precisely 4 spades. With 5+ spades she'd bid 1♠ instead of doubling.

What is your rebid?

Rebid 2♣. This will uncover any fit that exists.

If Partner has minimum values, she'll pass with a club fit, or show a preference for diamonds.

If she has invitational values, she'll bid 2N or 3 of a fitting minor. You will pass to decline any of these invitations.

If Partner has a full opening hand, she'll bid 3N with a heart stopper, or cue bid 2♥ to ask you for a heart stopper. You don't have one, so you will bid 2♠ to show a 4-3 fit, completing the description of your hand and allowing Partner to choose the trump suit.

Little Bear says, "My head is spinning. Can I just skip these extra details?"

Me: Well, my apprehensive apiary aficionado, if you skip them, how are you going to know what to bid after each of your Partner's possible follow-up bids? Leaning back in your chair and dreaming of honey won't help.

Little Bear: "I should go over these hands a few times before I move on."

1♣ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠AQ8 ♥75 ♦AQ92 ♣AK86

What does the negative double show?

The negative double shows 6+ hcp with 4 hearts, or 6-9 hcp with 5+ hearts.

What is your rebid?

You have enough extra count to bid game, and excellent spade stoppers, so jump to 2N. Your jump shows 18-19 and is forcing. The three level is still available for Partner to further describe her hand before you settle in 3N.

Why does opener's jump rebid of 2N NOT show a balanced invitation of 16-17 points?

After failing to open the bidding with 1N (15-17) or 2N (20-21), the only balanced hands Opener can have are 12-14 hcp and 18-19 hcp.

1♣ (1♥) dbl (P)
♠KQ9 ♥75 ♦AQ2 ♣AKJ62

What does the negative double show?

Partner shows 6+ hcp with only 4 spades.

What is your rebid?

You have enough strength for game, but you can't bid NT without a stopper, and you don't have a spade fit. You should cue bid 2♥ to show game forcing strength without a heart stopper.

Partner will bid NT if she can stop hearts. And if she can't, further bidding will reveal whether a 4 spade contract or a 5 club contract would be better. She might bid 3♣, after which you will bid 3♠ to suggest playing in a 4-3 spade fit.

1♥ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠JT8 ♥KQT75 ♦2 ♣AQ86

What does the negative double show?

She shows 6-9 hcp with both minors. Her double denies heart support.

What is your rebid?

You don't have extra length to rebid hearts, or a spade stopper for NT. You have a minimum with a club fit, so rebid 2♣.

If Partner then bids 2♥, she's showing a doubleton, possibly ♥Ax or ♥Jx. Your hearts are good, so even with excellent club support, you should pass the 2♥ call to play in the major suit.

1♣ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠J8 ♥T8 ♦AJT4 ♣AQ863

What does the negative double show?

Partner shows 6+ hcp with 4 hearts, or 6-9 with 5+ hearts.

What is your rebid?

Bid 2♦ to show your second suit. Partner will know you have extra length in clubs because you would have opened diamonds and not clubs with 4-4.

Some pairs play this sequence (a reverse) to promise invitational strength. With that agreement, the opening bid on this hand would need to be 1♦ to prepare showing a minimum with a 2♣ rebid.

1♣ (1♥) dbl (P)
♠QJ8 ♥7 ♦AQ2 ♣AKJT86

What does the negative double show?

Partner shows 6+ hcp with precisely 4 spades. With 5+ spades she'd bid 1♠ instead of doubling.

What is your rebid?

Make a jump rebid of 3♣, showing an invitation with long clubs. You also deny a 4-4 spade fit.

To decline your invitation, Partner can pass. To accept, Partner can bid 3N with a heart stopper, or cue bid 3♥ to ask you if you have one. You don't, so you would then show your good 3-card support for spades.

Little Bear says, "My Partner and I have just recently started playing negative doubles, and I've had a problem with my rebids. Sometimes there's nothing to rebid. For example, what am I supposed to rebid with this hand?"

1♣ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠J63 ♥Q72 ♦KQT ♣AQT7

First and foremost, DO NOT PASS! You do not want to play doubled defense against their overcall when you do not have a strong trump holding.

Little Bear: "My Partner's negative double shows 4 hearts and 6+ points. I don't have a heart fit, or a spade stopper for NT, or a second suit to show. So do I rebid my four-card club suit?"

Me: "No, Little Bear, don't rebid a four-card suit. In cases like this, you can support Partner's suit with only 3-card support. Bid 2♥."

Some partnerships agree to allow a rebid of 1N without a stopper. If we change the hand a bit...

1♣ (1♠) dbl (P)
♠9863 ♥Q2 ♦KQT ♣AQT7

...you can't rebid hearts with a 2-4 "fit," so you're stuck with rebidding a four-card club suit or rebidding 1NT without a stopper. Even if they take the first 5 tricks in spades, you can still lose one more trick without going set.

Warning: don't bid NT without a stopper unless you've talked about it with Partner before the game.

Are Negative Doubles Only for One Level Overcalls?

Absolutely not!

Standard Yellow Card says negative doubles apply through 2♠. However, most experienced players play them through higher levels. Common choices are through 3♠, 4♦, or "no limit."

Little Bear says, "If you want the honey, you may have to climb to the top of the honey tree."

The most important issue is that you and your partner must be clear about when a double is negative and when it's penalty (or some other agreed meaning). So the only good answer for how high negative doubles apply comes from a discussion with your partner. I recommend that the "agreed" limit be at least 3♠.

Higher level negative doubles (2 level and above) promise the same distributions as for the one level. Except, when there are two unbid majors, you can make a negative double with only one of them.

For example, look at this hand...

♠Q6 ♥KT83 ♦963 ♣K872

...and this bidding:

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♦	1♥

At the one level, you need both majors to double. You only have one major, so bid 1♥.

But with this bidding:

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	2♦	?

With the same hand, after a two-level overcall, you can make a negative double with only one of the majors.

How Many Points are Needed for Negative Doubles?

Most bridge players classify negative doubles according to the level of the opponent's overcall.

They might say that you can make a negative double with 6+ hcp after the overcall was at the one level, but increase the minimum to 8 hcp when the opponent's overcall was at the two level, with additional increases for higher levels. So the simplistic formula might be:

6+ hcp at the one level
8+ hcp at the two level
10+ hcp at the three level

However, a better measure of the strength required for a negative double is to consider the bidding level your negative double forces Partner to go to.

For example, after a 1♠ overcall, Partner can bid any suit at the two level. This is also true after a 2♣ overcall. So always requiring 2 extra points (8+) after the 2♣ overcall is overly cautious.

Hands with a known fit do not require as many hcp as hands that are still searching for a fit. For example:

♠QT76 ♥83 ♦AT63 ♣872
1♦ (2♥) ?

What do we know about Partner's distribution after her 1♦ opening bid? The only time we open with a three-card holding in diamonds is when we have 4=4=3=2 shape. So if this hand doesn't have a diamond fit it will have a spade fit, making it safe to double on fewer than 8 hcp.

If Partner answers the negative double with 2N or 3♣, show your diamond fit. You might think of this as a safe landing place, allowing you to look for the major suit fit with a negative double. The fact that you have only 6 hcp should not stop you from making the negative double. (Again I suggest you review the bridge bears' page on competing to the 3 level.)

♠QT76 ♥83 ♦AT63 ♣872
1♣ (2♥) ?

This is the same hand, but with a different opening bid. Now there is no assurance that a fit exists. Partner could have 3=3=3=4 distribution, or 3=4=3=3, or 2=4=3=4. Then there would be no suit Partner could rebid that would lead to a happy contract. So with only 6 hcp and no safe landing place, you should pass.

Practice after a 2-level overcall

What would you bid after the overcall with each of these hands?

1♥ (2♦) ?
♠Q743 ♥652 ♦A2 ♣Q985

Support Partner's major suit. You have 4-4 distribution in the two unbid suits and 8 hcp. So it might seem like this is a good negative double. But there is already a known 8-card fit in hearts. Major suit fits are our highest priority so tell Partner the good news right away, before your spiteful left-hand opponent raises diamonds.

1♥ (2♦) ?
♠Q743 ♥Q5 ♦T32 ♣KQ85

Double. If you were not playing negative doubles, there wouldn't be a good bid you could make. But you wouldn't want to pass either. Fortunately, you will be playing negative doubles after you tell your partner that you've read this page three or four times.

Little Bear agrees, "Sometimes I reread Bridge Bear pages more than three or four times. I often understand things as I work my way down the page, but I don't remember them unless I practice a lot."

1♥ (2♣) ?
♠Q743 ♥QJ ♦AQ7 ♣KJT8

Double. You have at least two club stoppers and enough strength to jump to 3N. But the negative double allows you to check for an 8 card major suit fit before committing to NT.

1♣ (2♠) ?
♠T2 ♥AT73 ♦QJT7 ♣J94

Double. 8 hcp and support for the unbid suits, as well as support for clubs (if Partner has a rebiddable club suit). Even though you are driving Partner to the three level for a response, 8 hcp is enough because you have support for whatever she bids.

There is some risk to this when you have not yet found a fit. For example, suppose Partner has 3=3=3=4 shape with 13 hcp and no spade stopper (ouch!). But we don't want to sell out to their 2♠ preempt, so we take the risk.

1♥ (2♣) ?
♠Q876 ♥K9 ♦JT873 ♣94

Double. You have only 6 hcp, but Partner does not have to go to the three level to rebid. And you have support for whatever suit she shows with her next bid.

1♥ (2♣) ?
♠Q9876 ♥K9 ♦JT873 ♣4

Double. This is almost the same as the previous hand. You double even with two 5-card suits because your hand is too good to pass and you cannot bid a new suit at the two level without 10 hcp.

1♦ (2♥) ?
♠KJ76 ♥AQ2 ♦6 ♣J9754

If you double, you'll be happy if Partner rebids anything other than 3♦. But if Partner rebids 3♦, you'll wish you had started with an invitational 2N.

It's a slight overbid to drive to game with 11 hcp and a singleton in Partner's suit (a negative). So if she rebids 3♦ you'll either have to carry on to 3N (this is the overbid) or pass and let her play a three-level contract without trump support. To avoid the possibility of the overbid, start with 2N, which gives up on finding a 4-4 spade fit.

Little Bear asks, "Would you bid 2N or make the negative double?"

Me: There is no perfect bid for this hand. I'd make the negative double, planning to carry on to 3N if Partner rebids her diamonds. It's the right choice for anything else Partner rebids, and when she rebids 3♦, she might have a little extra strength to make up for my being a point or two short. And finally, even if we end up in a 23-point 3N contract, it might be successful.

1♦ (2♣) ?
♠86 ♥AT432 ♦6 ♣KJT54

Let's think about this one. You can't bid hearts directly because you need 10+ hcp to make a forcing 2♥ bid.

What about a negative double? You have 8 hcp (enough for the 2 level). You only need one major for a negative double at this level (which you have). And partner can rebid without ever being forced to the 3 level. That all seems good. Even better, if Partner rebids diamonds, you can show your 5 card heart suit with a 2♥ rebid, limiting your hand to less than 10 hcp so Partner won't overbid.

BUT WHAT IF PARTNER REBIDS 2♠ INSTEAD OF 2♦? Oh-oh. I'm beginning to feel like a young bear falling out of a honey tree. And I didn't even get to taste the honey. As I'm falling I think about bad results and unhappy partners. Then I go Thwump! on the ground.

What's the solution? You have terrific clubs, so don't bid anything. Just pass and let your opponents be the ones falling out of the honey tree. Partner might even make a reopening takeout double, which you will leave in, converting to penalty and getting a great result.

baklava pastry

Little Bear smiles, "And after the game, my Partner will probably want to share a snack at Grizzly's Pastry Shop and talk about this hand. I'm going to have baklava."

1♠ (2♦) ?
♠76 ♥AJ98 ♦AJT ♣JT72

Double. Your 11 hcp puts the hand in the invitational range.

If Partner shows a heart fit, raise to invite game in hearts.

If she rebids spades, I suggest inviting game with 2N rather than raising spades because you can play last to the opening lead with your ♦AJT.

If she rebids 3♣, you'll have to choose between 3♣ and 3N, either of which could be the best spot.

How to Reincarnate Old Fashioned Penalty Doubles

Doubles by responder should be negative, not penalty. Hands with a trump stack in Overcaller's suit simply do not occur often enough to use a direct double to mean penalty.

However, when you are dealt one of those more rare hands and would like to make a penalty double, it would be nice to have some way to crush the uppity opponent's impertinence for interfering with our bidding.

And there is...

First, you should pass those hands where you would like to make a penalty double.

When the bidding rolls around to Opener, she should almost invariably make a re-opening double, which you will again pass, converting it to penalty.

Like this...

1♣ (1♠) ?

♠ A Q T 8 6
♥ A 8 2
♦ 9 6 3
♣ 7 2

With this hand, you would like to make a penalty double of the 1♠ overcall.

But you are playing negative doubles, so you pass and wait for Partner to make a re-opening double. She intends her re-opening double to be takeout. But you pass to convert it to penalty.

West	North	East	South
–	1♣	1♠	P
P	dbl	P	P
P

Opener should be very free with re-opening doubles, especially when short (or short-ish) in the overcalled suit.

The effect is that you will be able to penalize the opponents as if you were playing penalty doubles – while still retaining all the advantages of negative doubles.

Summary for Negative Doubles

After a 1♠ overcall of a minor suit opening...

double = 4 hearts with 6+ hcp
double = 5+ hearts with 6-9 hcp
2♥ = 5+ hearts and 10+ hcp

After a 1♥ overcall of either minor...

double = 4 spades with 6+ hcp
1♠ = 5+ spades with 6+ hcp

After a 1♦ overcall of 1♣...

double = 6+ hcp with 4-4 majors
double = 6-9 hcp with 5-4 or better major suit length (you may be able to show the longer major later)
1♥ or 1♠ = 5-4 or better length with 10+ hcp (you may be able to show the other major later, clarifying 5+ length and 10+ hcp)
1♥ or 1♠ = 6+ hcp with only one 4+ card major

After a 1♠ overcall of 1♥...

support Partner's hearts with a fit
double = 6+ hcp with both minors

hcp minimums

6+ at the 1-level
8+ at the 2-level (some players want a point or two more)
10+ at the 3-level (some players want a point or two more)
bid freely with a guaranteed fit, and cautiously with a possible misfit

plush toy bear This is the last article in the Bidding folder. If you haven't already read the previous articles in this folder, I recommend doing so now. Otherwise you can move on to Bridge Defense or Declarer Play or the most basic folder, How To Win Tricks.

Bridge Bears is run by a retired teacher and ACBL life master who has 35 years teaching experience and who's been playing bridge for over 50 years. I don't claim to be one of the top players, but I do understand how slowly beginners need to go when they are trying to learn how to play bridge.