Presented by Mike Savage
In general, Responsive
Doubles occur when your partner has made a take-out double or has
overcalled a suit and the next hand has raised opener’s suit. It’s a take-out
double by the defense after your partner has bid. It shows the unbid suits and values to compete, sometimes with strong
game interest. Here’s when you use them:
1.
When the opponents open the bidding and your partner makes a take-out
double and the next hand raises opener’s suit, a double by you is Responsive and should show at least 4-4 in two of
the three unbid suits - except that over 1H-Dbl-2H,
a double should deny four spades. Your partner will usually now bid his
lowest ranking four-card suit and if you have a fit, you can pass or raise, according to your strength. If you have less that
four in the suit your partner just bid, you should then bid your lowest
suit and your partner will choose between that suit and the other unbid suit – as you should have at least four cards
in both suits to make a Responsive Double.
2.
When the opponents open the bidding and your partner makes a simple
overcall and the next hand raises opener’s suit, if you play Responsive Doubles, a double by you is for takeout.
If your partner overcalled in a major suit, you typically would be 5-5 or 5-4
in the unbid suits and perhaps a doubleton in your
partner’s suit. If the suit partner overcalled is a minor, you could
have support for his minor but still make a Responsive
Double - looking for a major fit also.
So after your partner makes
an overcall or doubles and the next hand raises and you now double, it is Responsive – for take-out. If your partner has
overcalled a minor, and you have a fit or partial fit and also have a poor
five-card major, you can make a Responsive Double
fairly lightly HCP-wise at the 2-level, due to the fit. If you have a good
5-card or longer major and values to bid, bid your suit at the 2-level even if
you have a fit. In general, when you make a Responsive
Double you should have 8/9 or more HCP at the two-level and usually be
quite shapely at the 3-level (or higher). Responsive
Doubles are no longer an alert.
How high you choose to play Responsive Doubles is up to your partnership. Some
play Responsive Doubles only thru 2S. Most partnerships play them
at least thru 3S (usually after a preemptive jump raise).
Responsive Doubles and some other options
after partner’s take-out double:
1C/1D-Dbl-Simple
Raise-Dbl = Responsive, shows any
two suits, 6-9 or more HCP (in a few partnerships
this shows the major suits, never a
major and a minor).
1C/1D-Dbl-Simple
Raise-3-level cue bid = Shows game going values but is not sure what
game to bid.
1C/1D-Dbl-Simple/Jump
Raise-4-level cue bid = Shows at least 4-4 in the majors and values for
game.
1H-Dbl-2H-Dbl = Responsive, shows at least
4-4 in the minors, denies four spades, 8-10 or more HCP.
1H-Dbl-2H-3H
= Shows opening values, asks primarily for a heart stopper, or further hand
description.
1S-Dbl-2S-Dbl = Responsive, shows at least
two 4-card suits, denies four hearts, 8-10 or more HCP.
1S-Dbl-2S-3S
= Shows opening values, asks primarily for a spade stopper or further hand
description.
1 of anything-Dbl-1
of a suit-Dbl = Penalty. In some partnerships the auction
of: 1C-Dbl-1D-Dbl is
an exception to this and is used as a Responsive Double.
Responsive Doubles after partner’s
simple overcall:
1C/1D-1H/1S-Simple
Raise-Dbl = Responsive, shows 5-5 or 5-4 (5 in the major - 4
in the minor) in the
unbid suits, usually
with a two-card fit in partner’s suit.
1H-1S-2H-Dbl= Responsive, showing 5-5,
5-4 in the minors with good suits and/or at least 10 HCP
and also denies a primary fit in partner’s
suit.
1S-2C/2D-2S-Dbl = Responsive, shows 5-5 or 5 hearts & 4 in the unbid minor, usually
with a two-card fit.
1S-2H-2S-Dbl = Responsive, showing 5-5,
5-4 in the minors with good suits and/or at least 10 HCP
and also denies a primary fit in partner’s
suit.