Imagine holding a hand such as:
At matchpoints, neither side vulnerable, your partner
opens 1C (natural, non-forcing) and RHO pipes in with 1S.
You are, of course, playing negative free bids, but eschew
2D in favour of a
negative double. Things will be fine if
partner bids a red suit, but what if s/he doesn't?
|
| Pard |
RHO |
You |
LHO |
| 1C | 1S | Dble | Pass |
| 2C | Pass | ?? | -- |
|
In most partnerships, 2D
here would be 100% forcing. (Indeed, you may want to double-check this with your
partner!) A pass of 2C might find partner with:
Enter the DOUBLE NEGATIVE DOUBLE
After making a
negative double any free simple suit rebid by Responder
is not forcing unless Opener has jumped, cuebid or bid one
of the suits promised by the negative double. In the above
example, 2D would be natural and non-forcing because
Opener did not choose a red suit or make an encouraging
rebid.
But what if Responder were to bid 2H
, instead of 2D?
|
| Pard |
RHO |
You |
LHO |
| 1C | 1S | Dble | Pass |
| 2C | Pass | 2H | -- |
|
Surely that would have to be forcing, wouldn't it?
After all, with a limited hand and 5+ Hearts Responder
could've bid 2H
as a negative free bid last round.
All true, but consider this:
Why go down in 2H
when 5D may be cold? But
2H
directly over 1S might preclude this partnership from
finding it's 4-4 diamond fit. So, yes, a free bid in a
major here can be non-forcing as well.
The Double Negative Double can also be employed when
Advancer raises Overcaller's suit:
|
| Pard |
RHO |
You |
LHO |
| 1C | 1S | Dble | 2S |
| Pass | Pass | ?? | -- |
|
With a strong hand you could cuebid (3S, in this
example) or re-iterate the double. A free rebid in
either red suit would simply contest the part score here.
On to The Three Gadgeteers article.
Back to The Toddler Two Diamond Response article.
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