When should you double in bridge?

The most common takeout double is after an opponent's opening bid of one of a suit where the double shows a hand with opening values, support for all three unbid suits (at least three cards in each) and shortness in the suit doubled (preferably, no more than two).

When should you double for penalty in bridge?

The Penalty Double of a Suit Bid

Make a penalty double if: You think the opponents have overbid or stolen your contract. You have honours and length in the opponents suit (and good points) and think you could defeat their contract by at least two tricks. An opponent opens 1NT (you would need 16+ points)

What is the purpose of doubling in bridge?

Double (X) is the most versatile and flexible bid in bridge. It's used more and more these days at all levels. When the opponents have started the bidding (making the auction competitive), double gives you a new bid. It doesn't take up any bidding room, and works well when other bids are not practical.

Can you double your partner's bid in bridge?

Don't double unless you have the proper hand. The worst possible moment to double a contract for penalties is when your partner expects a completely different hand type than the one you have. A prime example appears in this figure. The person to your right has actually opened 1♥, your longest and strongest suit.

How many points do you need for a takeout double in bridge?

Requirements for a Takeout Double:

At least opening strength (13 points). 2. At least 3-card support for every unbid suit. With 4-card support for every unbid suit, you may have slightly less than opening strength.

When to use a takeout double in bridge? with Tina McVeigh

What is the rule of 7 in bridge?

Rule of seven

The rule assumes play in a 3NT contract and is as follows: Subtract from seven the total number of cards that declarer and dummy hold in the defenders' suit and duck their lead of the suit that many times.

How many points do you need to overcall 1NT?

To bid 1NT as an overcall, you should have 15-18 (or 19) points, balanced with a stopper in the suit opened.

How do you double bid in bridge?

When the last positive bid was made by an opponent, either player may make the call of double. If this is immediately followed by three passes, the contract is played doubled. The number of tricks required for the contract is not affected, but if the contract is defeated the defending side will score additional points.

What does a 2NT overcall mean?

A 2NT overcall is artificial, showing the two lowest unbid suits (at least 5-5 shape). There is no point minimum, although obvious factors like vulnerability should be considered. See also the Michaels cuebid, a complementary convention for showing 5-5 hands, and Unusual vs. Unusual, a defense to the Unusual 2NT.

Can you double 1NT?

The Double of 1NT and how to get out of it What do we need to double? To double a 1NT opening bid we need to have more points than the 1NT bidder. The double of 1NT is intended as primarily a penalty double and partner is usually expected to leave it and not take-out.

Can you overcall a 1NT opening?

Two-Suited Overcalls.

The best time to overcall a 1NT opening is with a two-suited hand (at least 5-4 in the two suits). With a two-suited hand, there is an excellent chance of having a fit with partner, but lousy prospects for defending against 1NT.

How do I respond to Jacoby transfer?

Opener can super-accept the transfer by bidding three of the major with a maximum hand containing at least four cards in that major.

How do you respond to 1NT doubled?

Responses After 1NT Doubled

a) with a weak hand and any 5-card (or more) suit, re-double. Opener must bid 2♣, and responder then leaves or converts to the relevant 5-card suit. b) with a two suited weak hand (equal length), responder bids the lower of the suits.

What is the rule of 17 in bridge?

Rule of 17: If your partner opens with a preempt bid, add the number of your own high card points plus the number of your partners bid suit that you hold. If the sum is 17 or more, bid game in partner's suit.

What is the rule of 9 in bridge?

Rule of 9.

It works like this: add the numeric value of the opponent's contract to the number of trumps held in that suit and if the result equals 9 (or more), then that player should double for penalty. If the result is 8 or fewer, then the defender should pass or bid.

Can you use Stayman after 1NT overcall?

Stayman is a bidding convention in the card game contract bridge. It is used by a partnership to find a 4-4 or 5-3 trump fit in a major suit after making a one notrump (1NT) opening bid and it has been adapted for use after a 2NT opening, a 1NT overcall, and many other natural notrump bids.

Are transfers on after a 1NT overcall?

Transfers are used opposite a 1NT overcall in exactly the same way, but adjusted for points (all bids can be made with 3 points less – assuming the overcall is 15 – 17).

When should you not use a Stayman?

RULE: Do not use Stayman when you have a 4-3-3-3 hand. We are programmed to always want to play a hand in a major when we have an 8 card fit. We can draw trump and still have one trump left in declarer's hand and one in dummy.

How many types of doubles are there in bridge?

Double is a very important call in bridge but it does has a variety of possible meanings depending upon its use. There are two basic kinds of doubles.... (1) informative but generally for takeout and (2) penalty or business.

How do you score a double contract in bridge?

Points for Making a Doubled Contract

2 (points for the contract as though it were a partscore), + 100 points for each overtrick, + 250 point game bonus for 2 , 2 , 3 , 3 , or 2NT, + normal bonus for slams (if applicable).

Is a takeout double a demand bid?

In the card game contract bridge, a takeout double is a low-level conventional call of "Double" over an opponent's bid as a request for partner to bid his best of the unbid suits.

When should you duck in bridge?

On defense, "ducking" or "holding up" means to purposely refrain from taking a winner. The purpose to disrupt declarer's communications. In bridge parlance, the terms "hold-up" and "duck" are often used interchangeably, although the former is more common when the opponents lead a suit.

What is the rule of 11 in bridge?

Always check your partner's opening lead using the “Rule of Eleven.” which states that the player subtracts the number of the first card lead from the number 11, and then the result is the number of cards higher contained in the hands of the partner of the opening leader and the declarer and the dummy.