Negative (re)double

A.  Conditions

A negative (re)double is used to show 4 cards in unbid majors after partner has opened and opponent has overcalled.

A (re)double is negative if

• partner has opened the bidding (or overcalled opponent's opening bid); and
• opponent has overcalled (or doubled) partner's bid; and
• opponent's bid (or double) is at or below 2S; and
• there is at least one unbid major

The negative (re)doubler promises

• 6+ points; and
• 4 cards in unbid majors

 

B.  Examples

The following shows some typical negative doubles:

• 1C > (1S) > X shows 4 hearts
• (1D) > 1H > (2D) > X shows 4 spades
• (1D) > 1H > (X) > XX shows 4 spades
•  1C > (X) > XX shows 4-4 or better in majors

C.  Number of cards in majors

Since 4 cards in an unbid major can be shown via a negative (re)double, bidding the suit when a negative (re)double is available shows 5 cards. For instance, each of the following spade bids guarantees 5 spades:

• 1C > (1H) > 1S
• 1H > (2D) > 2S
• 1H > (X) > 1S

If there are two unbid majors, however, a negative (re)double would guarantee 4-4 or better in the majors. In this case, bidding a major only promises 4 cards. For instance, each of the following heart bids only guarantees 4 hearts:

• 1C > (1D) > 1H
• 1D > (2C) > 2H

When responder has 5-4 or 5-5 in majors and a negative (re)double is available, the negative (re)double is preferred over bidding a 5-card major since it is easier to find a fit. For example, in each of the following cases, responder should (re)double instead of bidding a 5-card major when holding 5-4 or 5-5 in the majors:

• 1C > (1D) 
• 1D > (X)