Always Optional. Our penalty doubles are quite standard. Because of Negative and Responsive Doubles, they are rare below the three level, but may occur against balancing opponents, as partner may leave in any double if he feels defending against overbid opponents is better than taking the push. One Doubles; The Other Passes. Typically, one partner makes a double as part of a bidding series and the other decides to leave it in. (This is called a penalty pass.) This way, the opponents don't necessarily know who has the trumps against them. Often, the doubler is not the one with opponent's trump tricks.
Example Penalty Double Sequences
In all these cases, <-- indicates the decision to play for penalties.
© P 1NT 2ªN E S W
1
4
© Dbl P P <---A penalty pass1ª Dbl 4ª Dbl <-- Not a Responsive Double; it's too high -- past 3 Spades.
P P <--- The penalty decision
1ª P 2ª 3
©P 4
© 4ª DblP <--- A penalty pass by North
3§ P P Dbl
P P <--- A penalty pass by East
This hand may be void in the opponents suit, figuring the doubler has a trump trick or two.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved