Responsive Double

Responsive Double Situation: Fourth hand hears "bid - bid - raise - ???" meaning his LHO (Left Hand Opponent) has opened, his partner has doubled or overcalled, opener's partner has raised opener and now fourth hand has a bid coming, but can't raise overcaller's suit.

N              E              S              W

1©          Dbl              2©         Dbl*

Bid         Bid          Raise         Responsive Dbl

After a Takeout Double. Our responsive double occurs after a takeout double and a raise of opener by third hand. It means:

"Partner, I heard your takeout double or overcall and the third hand opponent raised his/her partner. They are trying to steal this hand because I have points. I can support ª 's, © 's or ¨ 's - you pick it."

N              E              S              W

1§            Dbl         2§         Dbl*  A responsive double by West.

 

After a Overcall. A responsive double also works after an overcall by partner. It means:

"Partner, I heard your overcall and the third hand opponent raised his/her partner, but I can't support your suit. Please pick another and you'll be happy with my hand as dummy". Example:

N              E              S          W

1§              1ª         2§         Dbl* 

A responsive double by West with ©'s & ¨ 's. In this situation, it says "East, Spades aren't good for me, but you'll like either red suit: pick your best one".

Strength Requirement for Responsive Double: Our Responsive Double HCP range is 8+ with majors and somewhat better with minors.

N              E              S          W

1©            Dbl          2©   Dbl* The responsive double by West; "No Spades, East, bid your longest suit".

P              3§ . . .   OK, there should be a fit in Clubs, West".

   

                    1§            1©          2§          Dbl*

                    P              2¨ . . .

The responsive double by West says "East, choose Spades or Diamonds".

Responsive Double Usage: Rare. Not used by many players as the situation doesn't come up very often. Alertable.


(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved