Length Typically Has 2 of Top 3 Honors Or 3 of Top 5 Honors, Preferably with Good

Negative Doubles

General Agreements:

Negative Free Bids up to 3D – typically shows 7-11 count with a good suit with 5+

length – typically has 2 of top 3 honors or 3 of top 5 honors, preferably with good

intermediates – if longer the suit may be weaker in terms of top honors.

If Resp. makes a negative double and then at his next turn bids a new suit this shows a Game Forcing hand.

After making a negative double the only way Resp. can force is by bidding a new suit or making a Q-bid ( with one exception ).

New suit bids at level of 3H or higher by Resp. at his first turn are forcing one round.

Jump in a new suit by Resp. in comp., at his first turn is a Fit Bid / Q-bid is LROB and after a major suit opening 2N by Resp. is a LROB with 4+ trumps.

We Open 1 Minor:Ds will be 3 cds. only with 4=4=3=2 distr.

With 4-4 in minors always open 1D

With 4Ds and 5Cs and min. Opening hand Open 1D

1. They Overcall 1 heart:

A.I minor 1H1S =4+ Ss / unlimited / Forcing 1 round /

1N / 2N ( invite )/ 3N are natural with H stopper

Raise 2 Min = 4+ trumps if Cs / 3+ trumps if Ds /

Raise to 3minor/4minor = pre-emptive

NFB -> 3D

Fit Jumps, Q-bid = LROB etc.

Double = denies 4 Ss ( our agreement )

1 Minor1HdblP

a)1SP2S =3 Ss

1N = can be passed, balanced hand but tends to deny a stopper

2 Opener’s minor is NF

2 new suit ( minor ) is GF

b)1NPP

2WCB applies ( cant rebid 2C to play )

c) 2C = natural ( whether Opening is 1C or 1D ) – may have to rebid 2C with a poor 5 cd. suit for lack of better rebid.

d)2D = min. hand usually 6+ Ds if Opening is 1D

Reverse if Opening is 1C – usual reverse agreements apply

e)Other rebids:

2H = one round force

2S = natural, GF

2N = balanced 18-19 with H stopper

3 Opener’s minor is invitational

3N = to play

B.If 4th. hand redoubles rebid structure is unchanged except that Opener can Pass with a balanced minimum and nothing special to say. However:

1Min.1Hdblredbl

PP1S = balance with 3Ss / Opener can pass with 4Ss or scramble with 2N showing minors /

C.1Min1Hdbl2H

2S = natural, reverse

2N = balanced 15-17 with H stopper(s)

New suit at 3 level is natural and shows good hand 16+ / reverse if higher ranking

than first suit opened

Dbl = relay to 2S with min. opening hand but good playing values, plan to contest bid /Opener’s next bid then shows either min. one suiter or 2-suiter / if Resp. declines the relay and bids a new suit it is game forcing /

When the Opening bid is 1C, Resp.may decline the relay and bid 3C with 4-4 in

Hearts and Clubs.

NOTE: we are using dbl. here like GB 2NT - AMIT’s Innovation – direct bids are

stronger and delayed bids show weaker hands.

2.They Overcall 1Spade: Here the double promises 4 Hearts.

The structure is similar except that Opener will raise Hs to the appropriate level with 4 card support.

1C1SDbl2S

2NT and all rebids at 3 level show good hands ( 16+ ) with a direct 3H oftenshowing a reverse like hand.

Dbl is relay to 2N showing a minimum hand in HCPs but good playing values and

interest in competing for the contract.

They Overcall 2C over our 1D opening:

Dbl is negative showing unbid major(s)or GF hand with one-suiter

Negative Free Bids -> 3D

New suit from 3H onward forcing one round / Fit Jumps etc.

Note: If 4th. hand is silent, Opener’s rebid of 2N here shows a min. balanced

Hand. But if 4th. hand bids at 2 level, 2N shows a good balanced hand ( 16+ )

As part of the GB double relay etc.

Jump Overcall at 2 level as well as 2H/1S:

Dbl is negative showing unbid major(s)or GF hand with one-suiter

Negative Free Bids -> 3D

New suit from 3H onward forcing one round / Fit Jumps etc.

See note re 2N in section 3.

Jump Overcall at 3 level:

a)They overall 3C:

3D = request for Opener to rebid 3N with a C stopper ( equivalent of Thrump dbl )

3H,3S =natural, forcing one round,

New suit =forcing one round

Dbl is negative per our usual agreements – i.e for majors

b)They overcall 3D,3H,3S:

Double = Thrump dbl – requests Opener to rebid 3N with a stopper – Resp.

has invitational + hand and has a source of tricks – does not guarantee unbid major(s) though may have 4 cd.major(s) - if Opener does not have a stopper,

he takes out double appropriately.

Note: If Opener cannot bid 3N over the Thrump double and takes out the double:

a)Resp. can Pass Opener’s rebid

b)If Resp. rebids a new suit it is constructive but not GF – can be passed

c)A Q-bid by Resp. agrees Opener’s last bid suit as trumps and is a slam try

( an unlikely sequence )

Thrump Double summary:

Applies over Jump Overcall of 3D,3H,3S,

Asks Opener tobid 3N with a stopper in Oponent’s suit

Says nothing specific in terms of unbid suits in Resp.’s hand

Almost always denies a stopper in opponent’s suit

Denies a 5 cd.major which Resp. could have bid at the 3 level

Denies 3 cd. support for Opener’s major

Promises 10+points – often has along minor