development over support double

is one of the most fuzzy area in bidding. Even some top bridge players might not have full understanding and discussion in this area.

A support double happens at two level and below. When opener bids one suit, responder responds another, a double over opponents' suit bid is regarded as a support double.

Example:

1C p 1H 1S

x 

this double is support double, showing 3 hearts support.

The subsequence is rather complicate. Here, I am just giving a guideline of it.

If opponents only bid one suit, a direct cuebid at two level serves for multiple meanings: it's gameforcing and

can be support in opener's suit or setting up trumps in responder's suit or even a waiting bid, which doesn't have

other choice. After the cuebid, opener should always clearify if he has a stopper in opps' suit. Without a stopper,

opener can bid his suit naturally to show extra length, or bid his second suit or with no other choice, bid responder's suit. A three level cuebid sets up opener's own suit as trumps, and start cuebid sequence:

Example:

1C p 1H 1S

x  p 2S:

SAxx HAxx Dxx CKQxxx,

opener should bid 2NT over 2S to show a club stopper. Then Responder can clearify his hand type by bidding clubs to set up clubs as trumps, or three hearts to set up hearts as trumps, or 3 spades as one round forcing and you are out of bids: Sxxx HAKxx DAxx CQxx, you still don't know the direction of your contract, you might belong to 5 clubs if partner holds:

SAx HQxx DKx CKJTxxx, so you make a 3 spade bid to explore this possibility. 3D here should be natural and set up hearts as trumps with slam interest.

Sxx HAxx DAxx CAxxxx, you have no choice, but to bid 3H which denies 6 card club suit or very good 5 club suit, and also denies a spade stopper.

SX HAKx Dxxx CAKQJxx, you should bid 3S, which sets up clubs as trumps and ask responder to cuebid. after a possible 4D cuebid, you can ask for KC.

Sx HAxx DAQxx CKQJxx, you should bid 3D which shows your pattern and extra value as well. Without extra value, you should bid 3H.

If opponents bid and raise a suit, you might not have that much room to show your hand, a good/bad 2NT gadget should be applied here. Here, we use 2NT to start good hand part and direct 3 level bid is competitve.

With a balanced hand, and at least invitational, we double to show it.

Example:

1C p 1H 1S

x  2S ?

SAxx HAKxx Dxxx Cxxx,

double, partner can pass your double with a balanced hand.

Sxx HAKxxx DQxxx Cxx

bid 3H, you should compet to three level with a pure hand and some shape. It's about the strength of constructive hands, about good 6 to normal 9.

Sx HAKxx Dxxx CJxxxx

bid 3C, competitive. This is an easy bid.

Sxx HAKxxx DKxxx Cxx

bid 2NT, then bid 3H which starts a invitational sequence.

Sxx HAxxx Dxx CAQxxx

bid 3C, we have no enough room, if you bid 2NT, over a possible 3C relay, you have no easy rebid. So you have to make a wide 3C raise which covers top constructive range to low invitational.

Sx HAKxxxx DAxxx CQx,

bid 3D which is game forcing, set up hearts as trumps and slam potential.

SXx HAKxx Dx CAKxxxx

This one is tough, your only option is to start from 2NT, then cuebid 3S to show a gameforcing hand with good club support and denies spade stopper.

SAx HAKxx Dxx CKxxxx,

start from 2NT, over 3C, you can then bid 3NT to show a gameforcing hand with good club support and spade stopper.

Sx HAKxxxx Dxxx CAKx

bid 3S, which sets up heart as trumps and some slam interest.

Sxx HAKxx DAKxx Cxxx

double, you have no much choice, but to double here.

If opponents bid two suits, you have an extra cuebid available and also good/bad 2NT. A cuebid of the lower rank suit shows support in the low rank suit, a cuebid of the higher rank suit show support in the higher rank suit.

Example:

1C 1D 1S 2H

x   p 3D

SAKxx Hxx Dxx CAKxxx

This 3D shows club support and also denies a diamond stopper.

SAxxx Hxx DAx CAQxxx

2NT then 3D over 3C relay. This 3D shows club support, GF and

diamond stopper.

SAKxxx Hxx DAx CAxxx

3H, this sets up spade as trumps and denies a heart control.

SAKxxx HAx Dxx CAxxx

2NT then 3H over 3C, which sets up spades as trumps and shows heart control.

After this brief introduction, I guess you'll feel much more comfortable on the sequence over partner's support double. Discuss it with your regular partner and your partnership bidding will improve.

2004/09/14