When an opening bid of one notrump is doubled for penalties, a method that can find a playable suit contract is needed. This method allows responder to identify the suits to choose from, while still allowing the partnership to catch the opponents if they are the ones in trouble.
After 1NT-Dbl-?
Pass: Asks opener to redouble, either:
a) A strong hand interested in playing in 1NT Redoubled or at least inviting game.
b) A two level signoff with both minors.
c) A two level signoff in diamonds
Redouble: Spades & another or two level club signoff. Asks opener to bid 2C or 2S.
Opener bid 2S with 4Ss and 4+Cs or 3Cs to an honor and some shape.
2C, 3C, 4C: Clubs and Hearts signoff. The higher the bid, the more shape held.
2D, 3D, 4D: Diamond and Hearts signoff. The higher the bid, the more shape held.
2H, 3H, 4H: Heart signoff at the level bid.
2S, 3S, 4S: Spade signoff at the level bid.
2NT: Lebenshol with a three level minor signoff, or both minors willing to play 3C if opener bids 3C.
If opener bids 3C, opener passes with clubs or bids 3D with diamonds. Opener can also bid a minor suit at 3D or higher as pass or correct - responder passes with only that minor held, or makes a competitive bid otherwise.
For example: 1NT-Dbl-2NT-Pass-3D(Pass or Correct)-Pass-4C(Long clubs, or both minors).
3NT, 5C, 5D: To play.
4NT: Both minors, to play at five level.
After 1NT-Dbl-Rdbl-Pass-2C-Pass:
Pass: A two level signoff in clubs. May have clubs and spades but passes since no 2S bid by opener.
2D, 3D, 4D: Diamonds and Spades signoff. The higher the bid, the more shape held.
2H, 3H, 4H: Hearts and Spades signoff. The higher the bid, the more shape held.
2S, 3S, 4S: Spades and clubs.
3C, 4C, 5C: Spades and clubs with longer clubs.
After 1NT-Dbl-Pass-Pass-Rdbl-Pass:
Pass: To play in 1NT Redoubled. Opponents cannot play in undoubled contract now.
2C: Both minors, two level signoff
2D: Diamonds, two level signoff.
2H, 2S: 5+ in major, game invite.
2NT,3C,3D,3H: Transfer to next suit bid with values. Opener can super accept with fit or maximum.
1) After 1NT-Dbl-Pass-Any, opener can bid including double if can handle sequences. After 1NT-Dbl-Pass-Pass-Rdbl-Any, responder needs to be able to compete with values.
Case 1A: If the bidding is at 2C or 2D for responder’s next bid, the structure remains on. So:
a) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-2C-Dbl-Pass-?
Pass with both minors or big hand interested in penalties
2D & above: as if opener had made redouble bid (2D being bid on weak signoff in Ds)
b) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-2D-Dbl-Pass-?
Pass with both minors or diamonds signoff or big hand interested in penalties
2H & above: as if opener had made redouble bid
c) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-Pass-Rdbl-2D-?
Pass with both minors or diamonds signoff
Double with big hand interested in penalties
2H & above: as if opener had made redouble bid and next hand passed.
Case 1B: If the bidding is at 2H or higher for responder’s next bid, then if responder is bidding after opener doubled then cheapest bid in clubs (or pass of club bid) is signoff with both minors, and the cheapest bid in diamonds (or pass of diamond bid) is a signoff with just diamonds.
Except for those sequences, all other suit bids show values and are forcing at the three level or four of a minor. 2NT is a general force, often with a two suiter hard to express. A cuebid in the opponent’s last bid natural suit shows shortness and/or asks for a stopper. 3NT is to play. So, for example:
a) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-2H-Dbl-Pass-?
Pass: big hand penalty interest.
2S: 5+Ss, game invite
2NT: two suiter not including hearts, forcing
3C: signoff with both minors
3D: signoff with diamonds
3H: short in hearts, forcing.
3S: spades, forcing.
b) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-2S-Dbl-Pass-?
Pass: big hand penalty interest.
2NT: two suiter not including spades, forcing.
3C: signoff with both minors
3D: signoff with diamonds
3H: hearts, forcing.
3S: short in spades, forcing.
c) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-3C-Dbl-Pass-?
Pass: big hand penalty interest.
3D: signoff with diamonds
3H: hearts, forcing.
3S: spades, forcing.
4C: short in clubs, forcing.
d) 1NT-Dbl-Pass-Pass-Rdbl-2H-?
Double: Penalty interest.
2S: 5+Ss, game invite
2NT: two suiter not including hearts, forcing
3C: clubs, forcing.
3D: diamonds, forcing.
3H: short in hearts or stopper ask.
3S: spades, forcing.
2) After 1NT-Dbl-Rdbl-bid, opener can support spades with them as pass or correct.
For example:
a) 1NT-Dbl-Rdbl-2H-2S can play in spades with them or in clubs opposite club signoff
b) 1NT-Dbl-Rdbl-Pass-2S - this forces the doubler to rebid on the three level.
3) Immediate heart bids gets suit in before higher ranking suits are bid by opponents.
For example: 1NT-Dbl-2C(Clubs & Hearts)-2D-2H
4) 4-3-3-3 bidding.
a) With 4-3-3-3 and four spades
Redouble first (shows spades & another or just clubs). If partner bids 2c, pass first , but if it is doubled, then redouble (SOS).
b) With 3-4-3-3 and four hearts
Bid 2C shows clubs and hearts. If this is doubled, redouble for SOS.
c) With 3-3-4-3 or 3-3-3-4 and four card minor
Pass forcing redouble, intending to show both minors weak. If 2C is later doubled, if holding four diamonds one can decide to redouble for SOS.