By Peter Rhead
Negative Doubles
Happy New Year to all my readers.
Previously, we have discussed how to pick and choose the conventions that work for you. Remember, you will adopt a convention only because it solves a problem that you and your partner might have. For example, last week we showed how sometimes you can Double to give your partner lead direction when he gets the lead.
Remember, these conventions are worth learning even if you do not use them. You will understand better what the opponents are doing when they use one of them.
Bids using the “Double” command have many different uses. This week’s Double is a Negative Double made by you. It follows partner’s opening at the one-level, and opponent’s Overcall interference. (You cannot Double your partner’s bid!)
Your Double, known as the Negative Double tells partner you have at least six points at the one-level and at least 10 points at the two-level. It also tells partner that you have at least four-card strength in both unbid suits. If you had five-card strength in one major suit you would just bid the major suit. If you are five-four with both majors, you still bid the Negative Double and let opener decide the suit. This is another chance to show two suits with one bid – two for the price of one!
Now, how do you respond with a big hand (12+ points)? You are in game territory because you know your partner had opening points. After your Negative Double, partner will pick one suit. If he picks a major, just go to game in the major suit. Partner can still go on to investigate slam if he has a bigger hand. Partner knows you assume he has a minimum opening (12-14 points) for your game bid (25 points needed for a major suit game).
If opening partner picks a minor after your Negative Double, consider the following. Since the partnership needs 28 points for a minor-suit game you can go to game with 16 points knowing opening partner has at least 12 points. Or you can invite game with a jump bid if you need a maximum from partner’s opening bid (14+ points) for game.
For more information, read “Negative Doubles” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, page 63.
Next Week: Cuebid Raises
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
AT THE SUMMIT CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING, THURSDAYS 7PM
In the multi-purpose room 2nd floor (elevator) (back entrance of Summit Centre)
Just come – with or without a partner. Please arrive 10 minutes before game time. For information, contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].
This game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person. Parking is outside the North Entrance opposite Heritage Village Railway Station.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club for the Winter are Monday afternoon 1pm at the Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time.
For information, contact Andree or Scott 705-764-3827 [email protected]
Note: There will be no game Dec 23 but there is a game Dec 30
Results for Monday, Dec 16, 2019 1. Susan & Ted Daglish 4530 points; 2. Els Vandenberg & Peter Rhead 3540 points; 3. Karen Atkin and Mary Jane Rogers 2410 points
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are Tuesday 7pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partnerships and information call Jan Roberts 705 635-2522 or email [email protected]
Note: There are no games Dec 24 and Dec 31
The following winners are for Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 with 7 pairs playing a Howell Movement 1. Joanne Garvey and Barb Green; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 4. Helen Pearson and Jim Smith
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive with your partner 10 minutes before game time. For information contact Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
Note: There are no games Dec 23 and Dec 30
The following winners are from Monday, Dec 16, 2019 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 2. Joanne Garvey and Jim Smith; 3. Lyn Walisser and Don Evans; 4. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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