Left Side of the Convention CardOn the left side of the standard convention card are a variety of other calls and plays -- preempts, overcalls, doubles and slam bidding.
Special Doubles
There are a number of meanings of Double as a competitive bid - we use six or more of them. They are described in the Competition section.
SPECIAL DOUBLES (Describe)
Negative _______________________
Responsive ____________________
Other __________________________
On the lines, you must indicate how high you will use them.
The Negative Double is almost universal in competitive bidding. You should start to use it as soon as you start to play competitively. You should play it at least through 3ª to prevent yourself from being preempted without adequate tools to compete.
The Responsive Double is a nice bid but the situation rarely seems to come up because it means all four players have a bid. We use it, however.
Other doubles you use must be written on the bottom lines and explained, i.e., how high do you use them?
Our Card in the Special Doubles section:
SPECIAL DOUBLES (Describe)
Negative ___Thru 3 Spades__________
_________________________________
Responsive __ Thru 3 Spades_________
_________________________________
Other _____Maximal Double__________
___________thru 3 Spades___________
("Thru" means "as high as")
We use Negative and Responsive Doubles as high as Three Spades, e.g., [1¨ - 3© - Double*]. Generally, you have to go through the 3 level or else preempting opponents will steal your Heart games with Spade preempts. Experts' negative doubles may go as high as Six Diamonds.
The Maximal Double is one of our favorite bids, showing a good hand; one that is better than expected for the bidding so far, but is also unable to bid again without distorting the picture.
For opponents' calls past Three Spades, we play all doubles are optional, meaning they may be left in by partner with good defensive possibilities.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved