Negative Double

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Negative Double

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What is a Negative Double?

The Negative double is made always BY RESPONDER after partner has opened the bidding on the 1 level and there has been an overcall of a suit by the player on your right.
example: 1C – (1S) – You
THE NEGATIVE DOUBLE DOES NOT EXIST IN ANY OTHER SITUATION !
(The convention is called the Negative Double because it is not designed to penalize the opponents).

How many points are promised ?

As with any change of suit after your partner's opening:
- The 1 level - 6+ HCP and it's a forcing bid, unless the opponent immediately bids again after your double).
- The 2 level - 6+ HCP if you have a minor fit or likely fit in the suit partner opened. In misfit hands you need more like 8+ points.

Responding to partner without interference

You can never double your partner if the opponents didn't bid. So, responding with a new suit is nice and easy. If you respond with a new suit at:
- level 1, you only need 6+ points and 4+ cards in a suit.
- level 2, with a new major you promise 10+ points and 5+ cards in the suit.

Your bid is 1H. Responding to partner on level 1 with a new suit promises 6+points and 4+ cards in a suit.

Your bid is 2H. Responding to partner on level 2 with a new major promises 10+points and 5+ cards in a suit.

Things change when the opponents interfere. You may not be able to bid your suit at the one level and you may not have the right strength and/or length to bid at the 2 level.

You'd like to bid because your partner has 12-21 HCP, but your right hand opponent's bid of 1S has made it difficult. So, in this situation you make a "negative double". Your bid really means "partner, I would have responded 1H if opponents hadn't overcalled".

Additional inference gained by Negative Double

Since you have the option of either making a negative double or bidding 1S, each bid has a different meaning. Doubling, as in the fist hand below, shows exactly 4 spades. Responding 1S, as in the second hand, shows 5+ spades. (This is only done after a 1H overcall, because the negative double is available.)

The double shows 4-4 in the majors because if responder had only 1 major she would bid that major on level 1 (since you only need 4 card suit and 6+ points to bid at the 1 level).

When both major suits have been bid, the Negative Double shows 4+ cards in both minor suits.

When both Minor suits have been bid and you are at the 2 level, the Negative Double promises at least one 4 card major.

Rebids by opener with a fit.

If opener has a fit with responder, then opener makes her normal rebid. Remember from the lesson on opener's rebids that opener has to show not just the fit but her strength. She shows her strength by the level at which she raises responder. Raising to the minimum level shows a minimum hand of 12-15 points or 7 losers. A jump raise to three of responder's suit shows 16-18 points or 6 losers. A jump to game in responder's suit shows enough for game opposite responder's minimum of 6, which means opener has 19-21 points or 5 losers. This jump to game is not a "closeout". In bridge you can never close out an unlimited partner. This shows 19-21 and responder can continue on to slam if she has 13+ points or 7 losers.

Rebids by opener with a fit

Rebids by opener with out a fit.

If opener does not have a fit for the suit shown by responder's negative double, then she makes her normal rebid as we discussed in the opener's rebid class.

Bid 1NT.

Bid 2C.

Bid 3C.

Rebids by Negative Double with a fit

If opener supports your major, you add your points to the points that opener shows. If you know that you cannot have 25+ points combined, you pass. If you know you have at least 25 points combined, you go straight to game. She who knows goes in bridge. If you may have enough for game if opener is at the top of her range of points, then you invite her by raising to 3 of the major.

Pass. With 6-9 points and the opener is showing a minimum hand. You know you can't make a game so just pass.