Let's say your partner opens with 1C, and you are holding
AQxx ~~~ Kxx ~~~ Qxx ~~~ xxx
After the bidding goes
N ~~~ E ~~~ S ~~~ W
1C ~~~ P ~~~ ? ~~~~
holding the above hand, you would bid 1 spade. That would say to partner, "I have at least 6 points, and at least 4 spades". If, however, the bidding goes
N ~~~ E ~~~ S ~~~ W
1C ~~~ 1H ~~~ ? ~~~~
for you to know bid 1S would promise partner 5 spades because you are making a suit overcall. So, how do you show partner your four-card spade suit? DOUBLE!!
Anytime partner opens the bidding and opponent overcalls a suit, a double is not intended for penalty, but is meant as a takeout for the unbid suits. Depending on partnership agreement, a double at the one level shows at least seven points and at least four of the unbid major or majors. A stronger hand (usually 10 points, by agreement) is required to make a negative double on the 2 or 3 levels. Negative doubles may be used through any level of bidding, but most partnerships agree to play them through 3D.
The Bidding Box
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Hey Hey Hey
A great page!!!