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Double - In addition to the traditional use of the Double for penalties, many conventions are associated with Doubles in various scenarios including:

 Type

By  General Purpose

Action, Optional,
Cooperative,
(Alertable)

Either Partner

Allow partner to either penalize or compete further
Note: Some question wisdom of this convention.

Example: 1C - (1S) - 2C - (2S);
                 P   - ( P) -  X

Balancing

Either Partner

In "passout seat", keep Auction alive by "borrowing"
points from partner

Example: (1C) - P - (2C) - P;
                 ( P) - X

Equal Level Conversion Double
(ELCD)

Overcaller

When the partnership agree to play Equal Level Conversion Doubles (ELCD), the doubler is allowed to have shortness in the Club suit - provided the overcalling doubler has 5 Diamond.  This allows the doubler to rebid Diamonds when partner (advancer) responds in the Club suit - overcaller's short suit.

Example: (1H) - X - (P) - 2C;
               (P)   - 2D

Fisher Lead Directing

Defenders

When opponents' auction is based purely on Notrump bidding, asking partner to lead a Club (or Diamond if Right Hand Opponent made a Stayman call).  Also see Lightner Game Double.

Example: (1N) - P - (3N) - P;
                (  P) - X

Lead Directing

Defenders

When opponents' control auction, lead directing request for lead in Doubled suit or opponent's bid suit

Example: 1N - ( P) - 2D! - X
Request for Diamond lead, where 2D! = Jacoby Transfer to Hearts

Example: 1H - (3S) - P - (3N);
               P  - ( P) - (X)
Requests a Spade, promise to win trick & return Heart

Lightner
(Alertable)

Defenders

When opponents' bid slam, lead directing request for an "unusual lead"

Example: (1C) - (1H) - 2D
                (2H) - (2S);

              (5S) - (6S)
Requests a Heart lead to enable a quick ruff

Lightner Game

Defenders

A double of opponents' Notrump contract based on a long running suit, asking partner to lead their short suit without primary honors.  Also see Fisher Double.

Example: (1N) - P - (3N) - P;
                (  P) - X

Maximal
(Alertable)

Either Partner

After Opponents Bid And Raise (OBAR) in lower suit, show game invitational hand (versus competitive)

Example: 1S - (2C) - 2S - (3C);
                  P -  (P )  - X

Negative

Responder

Find a fit in unnamed suit/s, preference to major/s

Example: 1D- (1H) - X

Negative Double

This text will be replaced

More videos:
    Negate Doubles,  Day 1     Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Negative Double, Day 2     Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Negative Double, Day 3     Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
 

Reopening

Either Partner

Compete for a low-level auction

Example: 1H - (1S) - P - (P);
              X
Avoids opponents' winning a "cheap" auction

Negative Slam

Weaker Side

Example: (1H) - 2S - (4H) - 4S;
                (6H) - X

Competitor wants to sacrifice or punish

Negative Free Bid

Responder

Example: 1H - (1S) - 2C with less than 10 HCP

Reverses the meaning of Negative Double, allowing vigorous competition over opponents' overcall

Penalty Double

Stronger Side

Example: (P) - 1H - (P) - 2H;
               (P) -  P  -  (2S) - 3H;
              (3S) - X
With both opponents passing then bidding 3 Spades in a competitive auction, a 3 level Double would generally be penalty oriented.

When one side shows strength (open/raise) and the opponents either compete at a high level or one opponent makes a high level raise, a double may be for penalty (by partnership agreement)
 

   Penalty Doubles
This text will be replaced

More videos:
    Penalty Doubles,                         Day 1  Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Penalty Doubles & Preempts,      Day 2  Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Penalty Doubles & Environment,  Day 3  Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Penalty Doubles & Environment,  Day 4  Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
    Penalty Doubles & Environment,  Day 5  Blog  Part 1        BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2 and 3
 

 

Responsive
(Alertable)

Responder

After Opponents Bid And Raise & Partner (OBAR) bid or double, show values and support of two unnamed suits

Example: (1H) - 1S - (2H) - X

Snapdragon
(Alertable)

Responder

After 3 suits are bid, double shows 5 in unbid suit
and support for partner's bid suit

Example: (1H) - 1S - (2C) - X
Shows 5 Diamonds & 3 Spades

Striped Tailed Ape

Either Partner

Attempt to have opponents' settle for doubled contract and miss slam, where the opponent will "run like a "Striped Tailed Ape" to their long suit if opponent's redouble!  Obviously, this tactic only works with favorable vulnerability.

Example: (1D) - 1S - (2S!) - 4S;
                 (4N) - P   - (5D)  - X 
 

Stolen Bid/
Cuebid
(Alertable)

Responder

Reuses the Right Hand Opponent's interference bid
Note - partners agree to play "systems on"

Example: 1N - (2C) - X
Double is "Stayman"

Sucker

Either Partner

Unwise Double, based on honors is worthless (long) suits, likely to be ruffed by opponents

Example: 1H - (1S) - 2D - (3S);
                 4D - ( P) - 4H - (4S);
                 X
Both sides have double-fit, increasing probability to make the contract.

Support
(Alertable)

Opener

Determine 3 or 4 card trump support by opener (since responder may only have 4 trump)

Example: 1C - (1H) - 1S - (2H);
                 X 
Show 3 Spades

Takeout,
Informatory

Overcaller

Find a fit in any of three unnamed suits

Example: (1H) - X

Takeout Doubles
This text will be replaced

Video on:
Takeout Doubles:                                  Blog  Part 1   Part 2   BridgeHands Members - login for Part 3
Takeout Double Responses:                  Blog  Part 1                BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2  
Takeout Double Bidding Continuations: Blog  Part 1    Part 2   BridgeHands Members - login for Part 3

3 Notrump Doubled

Defender

Opponents bid a 3 Notrump game contract or above, partnership doubles have various lead directing possibilities

Example: 1H - (1N) - 2N - (3N);
                 X   -  AP

Numerous other uses for doubles include  Negative Slam Double, Negative Free Bid double, etc.  Also see partnership agreements using doubles, defined by the ACBL requiring notation on the Convention Card including Negative, Responsive, Maximal, Support, Card Showing, Minimum Offshape Takeout, and other Special Doubles: Convention Card Instructions

Also see Books on Doubles

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