Negative Doubles are used primarily after your partner has
opened and your RHO overcalls.
The most frequent use of the negative double is to show a four
card holding in one or more unbid major. **However,
a negative double also is correct with five or more cards in a major
when the hand is not strong enough to bid the suit
directly.
In the examples below we assume that a new suit at the 2 level
in a constructive auction, shows 10+ HCPs.
Use of Negative
Doubles
Partner
RHO
You
*1
1
X
=
6+ HCP and four spades . A bid of 1
promises five spades
**1
1
X
=
6+ HCP and four hearts or five with
insufficient pts. to bid 2
naturally
1
1
2
=
10+ HCP and five hearts (as it would without the
overcall)
1
2
X
=
6+ and four spades. Can stand partner rebidding 2 A rebid of 2
by partner would NOT be showing reversing values.
1
2
X
=
6+ and four hearts. Can stand partner rebidding 2
1
1
X
=
6+ and both minors. Can stand partner rebidding 2
1
x
X
X
=
6+ HCP and at least 1 four card major. A bid of 1
or 1
shows five.
1
x
X
X
=
6+ and four spades. Can stand partner rebidding 2
1
2
2
=
Natural, 8+ but NOT four spades. Can stand partner rebidding 2 Any response of a minor denies four of
a major.
*
The beauty of negative doubles is that you can now use
the interference by opponents to add more clarity to
your auction. e.g. 1
- P - 1 Your
responding bid of 1
could be four or five spades.
After 1 -
1 - X
shows four
spades.
1 - 1
- 1 shows five!
promises five spades