Competitive Bidding
Over the years the bidding systems have improved and now players compete at every chance.
It is important to learn to negiotiate opponent's preempts, jump raises and overcalls.
When they intervene
When opponents intervene, Special doubles are used to convey specific
information.
Redoubles are used to tell partner about a good hand; it implies a desire to penalize the
opponents.
In some cases redoubles are used as SOS, to convey to partner that it is necessary to scramble
to the lowest playable contract.
The negative double was devised by Alvin Roth ....
It is used when partner has opened the bidding and RHO intervenes and there are no
convenient bids.
For example, partner opens 1 Heart and the next hand overcalls 1 Spade.
You hold
9 3 2
9 4
A Q 10 3
K 9 7 3
You cannot bid 1N - no spade stopper,
you cannot bid 2H - only 2 hearts,
and you cannot go to the 2 level - less than 10 points;
but you want to compete and want to tell that to partner.
So, you double - this is called a negative double.
Partner can now bid 2H with 6 cards in hearts, bid 1N with stopper in spades or
bid a minor knowing that you will have support.
The negative double could be merely competitive or the start of a strong sequence.
The responsive double is used when partner has made a takeout double of an opponent's bid
and your RHO raised and you do not have a convenient bid.
For example, The bidding has gone 1H - Double - 2H to you and you hold:
9 3 2
9 4
A Q 10 3
K 9 7 3
You still want to compete and possibly push the opponents to the three level.
So, you double - this is called a responsive double.
When opponents have doubled your partner's opening bid the following scheme may be folllowed:
On all strong hands start with a redouble.
Suit bids are forcing for one round; Jump bids are weak
A jump to 2 NT shows a limit raise (or more) of partner's suit.
This convention is called Jordan/Truscott.
It is important to have an understanding on how high our double should be for takeout,
when opponents preempt.
One option is to play that a double of preempts upto 3S is for takeout.
However, since players are preempting higher, it may be advisable to play the double as
takeout up to 4S preempt.
In that case, the meanings of the various bids and sequences after that should be discussed
A Lebensohl 2 NT response may be used after a 2-level
preempt is doubled by partner.
Let us intervene
A simple overcall is made on 8 to 15 points and could be made on less.
The objective is to invite partner to compete and also direct the lead in case we defend.
Consequently, the suit should be of good quality.
There are various ways of responding to an overcall - a simple way is to play a new suit as
forcing for one round and a jump raise as weak.
When opponents open, a Jump Overcall is weak.
Opening Preempts are very light.
When an opponent bids a minor, the direct cuebid shows a major two-suiter.
When an opponent bids a major, the direct cuebid shows the other major and a minor.
The hand should be at least 5-5 in the two suits; the point range is either 6 - 10 or
15+.
If the point range is 11 - 15, it is better to bid the suits naturally.
This convention is called Michaels and was devised by Michael Michaels of Florida.
After oponents opened the bidding, the scheme of No Trump responses is as follows:
In the direct seat, the range is 14 - 18 points and all Systems are on.
In the balancing seat the range is 11 - 14 points (borrowed Ace).
A jump to 2 NT is used to show a weak hand with the two lowest unbid suits.
When opponents open 1 No Trump, there are several ways of competing.
Because of the proliferation of Weak No Trumps, it is better to device two schemes for
competing.
If the opponents play weak No Trump (upper limit of range is 15 points or less),
a double is takeout and other bids are natural. Partner could convert the double to
penalties.
If the opponents play a strong No Trump (upper limit of range is 16 points or more)
DONT is one method of displacing them.
(There are several other methods in the Conventions section)
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Conventions