Contract Bridge Bidding Continuations after Double
Regarding Doubles, first an opponent makes a bid. Next your partner doubles and you respond. And so the bidding saga continues – imagine the possible bidding continuations! (or not…) Certainly it would stagger the mind to memorize all the permutations. So will focus on some of the basics and resort to our deductive abilities to explore the almighty game contract. This completes our third installment of Takeout Doubles. For those who are looking for immediate gratification, okay here are the links to view our associated videos with commentary and animated card bidding:
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Thank you for attending our online Bridge virtual training class. We appreciate your support and look forward to supporting your Bridge instructional needs.
Warm Regards,
Michael
BridgeHands
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Looking at the polling results from our final installment on Takeout Double bidding continuations, apparently most are of the same mind and are willing to go with all scenarios after the bidding begins:
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(1D) – X – (P) – ?
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. With 0-8 distribution points, bid lowest level level, as 1 Spade
– With 9-11 distribution points, skip bid 1 level, as 2 Spades
– Both of the above
– With 12+ distribution points, cuebid 2 Diamonds to force game
– All of the above
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So after day one of the poll, 85 percent go with “all of the above.” Another 12 percent only picked the top two items (both of the above), indicating they were not fond of cuebidding:
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(1D) – X – (P) – 2D!
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Perhaps you or your partner are “not into” cuebidding. In that case, with an opening hand you will probably need to respond 4 of a major suit or 3 Notrump – hopefully you and/or partner will have stoppers. Then again, perhaps you do belong in 5 Clubs – it might be a bit of a guess not playing responders cuebid as forcing. Incidentally, on this note, how would you figure this auction:
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(1D) – X – (P) – 3D!
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Since 2D was already forcing to game, what in the world is 3D? Many duplicate Bridge players like to use the “Western Cuebid” convention here, showing game values but lacking a sound Diamond stopper. So 3D would ask partner to bid 3 Notrump with a Diamond Ace or King (lead coming to partner’s hand). You might use this bid with something like:
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S: AQx…H:.Qxx…D:.xx…C:.AQxxx
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As always, we welcome you to scoot over to our BridgeHands Encyclopedia and checkout more on conventions, bids, play, the laws and even Bridge jargon/humor!
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http://www.bridgehands.com/W/Western_Cuebid.htm
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Happy Bridge Trails,
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Michael
What would the auction (1 C) X (2C) X indicate? Could it mean I have both majors and 6-8 pts.? And how about (1C) X (1D) X ?
Best regards
Maria Eleni
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In the auction: (1C) – X – (2C) – X
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Opener: 12-21 points, 3+ Clubs, likely no 5 card major, not a balanced 1NT hand
Overcaller: 11+ points, usually less than 3 Clubs and no 5 card major, not a balanced 1NT hand with Club stopers
Responder: Usually 5+ points (could be less), usually 5+ Clubs or good 4 with shortness & no 4 card major
Advancer: When the opponents have a suit agreement and partner has made an intervening call,advancer’s double is a Responsive Double:
http://www.bridgehands.com/R/Responsive_Double.htm
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Since opener and overcaller have opening hands, and responder ostensibly have 5-6 points are more, then yes, advancer likely has reasonable values, say 7-10 points. And yes, it’s reasonable to anticipate advancer has 4 cards in both majors. For a more comprehensive write-up, see the ACBL’s website – great article:
http://tinyurl.com/9pmecfk
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Happy Bridge Trails,
Michael
Thank you Michael. How about the auction (1C) X (1D) X? The opponents have bid 2 minors, so if you have 4 cards in the 2 majors and the 7-8 pts. can you still double?
Maria