Negative (Sputnik) doubles

This time the first in a short series about non-penalty doubles.

The Negative Double

A negative double is a takeout double after partner has opened. This is in contrast to a
normal take out double which is made after the opposition open. The basic position in which
negative doubles apply is this one:

1♦ 1♥ X

Partner opens, opposition overcall and double is for take out. No other doubles should really
be called negative.
The double for take out in this position first gained popularity around 1957 (the time at
which Sputnik 1 was launched hence the name). It is a double used to convey the message
that you hold some values but have no suitable bid (negative = denying a suitable other bid).
Negative doubles need to be alerted in Britain, otherwise a double in this position is
assumed to be for penalties.

Distributional requirements

It's normal to play fairly strict distributional constraints on exactly what double shows:

• A minimum of about 6 points at the one level. And a good 7 or 8 at the two level. There is
no upper limit. Doubler can show he has a strong hand by his subsequent bidding.
• No primary support for partner. With a minimum hand and Qxx or better in partner's suit
it is normally best to raise that.
• Specific holdings in the unbid suits.
(i) Over minor minor eg

1♣ 1♦ X or 1♦ 2♣ X

Double should show both majors. (Bidding a major just promises 4 cards here at the one
level. Bidding at the two le vel should show five cards in the major and 9+ points.) Normally
double shows 4-4 but could be longer in one if only 6-8 points. With a stronger hand with a
five card suit bid it.

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Suitable hands for a double after

1♦ 2♣ X

are:

♠ K985 ♠ KQJ6 ♠ KQJ6 ♠ KQJ6

♥ A832 ♥ A832 ♥ AJ83 ♥ AQJ8
♦ J4 ♦ J4 ♦ 74 ♦ Q7
♣ 763 ♣ 763 ♣ K93 ♣ K63

Hand A Hand B Hand C Hand D

Hand A is about a minimum for making a double at the two level. Hand B is stronger but
should show both four card majors by starting with a double. Hands C and D should begin
with double and then bid strongly when they know more about partner's hand.

(ii) Over minor major eg

1♦ 1♥ X

Double should promise precisely four spades here. Bid 1♠ with a hand containing five
spades. There is should be no requirement for double to promise both unbid suits. Being able
to double to show the major is the important part. Examples are:

♠ 9753 ♠ QJ94 ♠ QJ94 ♠ AJ742

♥ K108 ♥ K108 ♥ A108 ♥ K8
♦ 764 ♦7 ♦ 763 ♦ 1075
♣ A43 ♣ J10963 ♣ K85 ♣ 984

Hand E Hand F Hand G Hand H

Hands E to G should all double to show four spades. Hand H should bid 1♠ to show a fifth
spade.

1♦ 1♠ X

Double here should promise either four hearts (6+ points) or longer hearts in a hand to weak
to bid 2♥ at this point (ie about 7-8 points).

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(iii) Over major major eg

1♥ 1♠ X

A double promises both minors, at least 44.

Suitable hands are:

♠ 984 ♠ Q6 ♠ 63 ♠ Q63
♥ 82 ♥ 854 ♥ 85 ♥ 95
♦ KQ107 ♦ AJ64 ♦ KQ105 ♦ 10863
♣ K632 ♣ KJ103 ♣ K10532 ♣ AKJ4

Hand I Hand J Hand K Hand L

Hands I to L are all ideal for a negative double. Making a negative double with fewer than
four cards in an unbid major is genarally unattractive. Don't use the negative double to show
a hand with just "values" as it makes it hard to reach the right contract. Make sure that when
you make a negative double your hand is the right shape.

Opener's rebid

Opener can make his natural rebid or raise a suit shown by the negative double witout
promising any extra strength. eg. (in each case double shows four spades)

1♥ 2♣ X P

2♦

and

1♥ 2♣ X P

2♥

and

1♥ 2♣ X P

2♠

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All promise no extra strength from opener. They just describe his shape: five hearts and four
diamonds, five hearts, four+ hearts and four spades, respectively.

But bidding a new suit not shown by the negative double at a level higher than opener's first
suit (a reverse) shows extra values. eg

1♠ 2♦ X P

3♣

Bidding 3♣ should promise extra values as it goes past 2♠ when the doubler has no
promised clubs.

Finally, there is often an ambiguity in high level auctions about when double stops being for
take out (negative) and becomes penalties. Suppose you open 1♦ and the next hand overcalls
3♠. It is still reasonable to play a double here as negative, showing good values and four
hearts. I recommend that you play double as negative up to 3♠ only: ie when the overcall is
3♠ or below double is negative. Above 3♠ double is penalty oriented.

Problems:

1♣ 1♦ ?

What will you bid?

♠ 7653 ♠ K10653 ♠ AK643 ♠ KJ4

♥ AKQ8 ♥ K983 ♥ K985 ♥ Q1098
♦ 72 ♦ 63 ♦ 108 ♦ 764
♣ 1083 ♣ 83 ♣ J4 ♣ J96

Hand 1 Hand 2 Hand 3 Hand 4

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1♣ 1♦ ?

What will you bid?

♠ KQ94 ♠ KQ653 ♠ KQJ9 ♠ KJ9

♥4 ♥5 ♥ K10 ♥ A1085
♦ 954 ♦ 986 ♦ KQ5 ♦ 762
♣ J10974 ♣ J1094 ♣ 9853 ♣ J96

Hand 5 Hand 6 Hand 7 Hand 8

1♥ 1♠ ?

What will you bid?

♠ KQ1094 ♠ 105 ♠ KJ93 ♠ 1053

♥4 ♥ Q95 ♥ J10 ♥ 63
♦ AJ95 ♦ K1074 ♦ AJ5 ♦ KQ64
♣ Q53 ♣ Q1094 ♣ K1084 ♣ QJ96

Hand 9 Hand 10 Hand 11 Hand 12

1♠ 2♦ X P

What will you bid?

♠ KQJ964 ♠ KQ1075 ♠ AKJ104 ♠ AKJ105

♥4 ♥ Q965 ♥ QJ104 ♥ K5
♦ 106 ♦ 74 ♦ A6 ♦ J6
♣ AJ53 ♣ A8 ♣ Q10 ♣ AJ107

Hand 13 Hand 14 Hand 15 Hand 16

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Answers:
Hand 1: Show four cards in each major by making a negative double.
Hand 2: A negative double will get you to hearts when it's right and spades too when partner
has four of them.
Hand 3: The hand is worth two bids. Start with 1♠ rather than double and later rebid hearts.
Hand 4: Don't double as this would sho w four cards in both majors. Be happy to bid 1♥.
Hand 5: Make a negative double to show precisely four spades.
Hand 6: Bid 1♠ to show five spades.
Hand 7: Double is the best way to start here. Show four spades and then play in 3NT (6NT?)
if partner does not have four spades with you.
Hand 8: A good hand for 1NT. A solid stop and useful cards with a good 6-9 points.
Hand 9: As double would be for takeout, you must pass. Partner is very likely to reopen with
a double which you can pass with glee.
Hand 10: Double would be okay. But bidding 2♥ is better. You have good support for
partner and a small doubleton in spades which makes hearts attractive.
Hand 11: You might get rich by passing this hand and waiting for partner to double. It's
probably better to bid 3NT to show the solid spade stop. To pass (awaiting a double from
partner) or bid 3NT might depend on the vulnerability.
Hand 12: A negative double nicely describes this hand. You have 7+ points and no other
sensible bid and 4 cards in both minors.
Hand 13: Bid 2♠ promises no extra values.
Hand 14: Bid 2♥. Partner has shown four hearts. Bid to the best fit. 2♥ promises nothing
extra.
Hand 15: Partner has promised four hearts. To bid just 2♥ here would be rather wet. Bid 4♥.
(Try constructing some hands on which partner will make a negative double and there should
be good play for four hearts on all of them.)
Hand 16: Partner has promised only four hearts and 7+ points. Bid 3♣ here to show a good
hand with both spades and clubs. As partner did not promise clubs, you need extra values to
bid them at the three level. © Tim Prior 20/5/03