Responding to a 1 Level Negative Double when RHO passes
This post uses the knowledge learned in the previous post. Please read that one first to learn about what is needed to make a Negative Double:
Introducing the Negative Double - Auctions showing Spades
Once Partner makes a Negative Double you (as Opener) are basically forced to bid. It's a little bit like a Take Out Double. If you "Pass" the Negative Double, the Opponents are playing at a low level contract and neither you, nor Partner, has very many trump. So you NEED to respond. Let's look at hands where Partner made a Negative Double at the 1 level to show that they have exactly four ♠.
So the auction would be:
YOU!
Your Left Hand Opponent
Partner
Your Right Hand Opponent
1♦
1♥
Double
Pass
???
and here is your hand:
♠KQ92
♥J2
♦KT84
♣A84
If you "Pass" right now your LHO is playing in 1♥ Doubled and you only have two trump. Partner doesn't have to have any! So you cannot "Pass".
Partner's Double told you that they have exactly four ♠ in their hand. Perfect! You have four ♠! You have a ♠ fit!
You need to tell Partner that you have a fit. But you don't want Partner thinking you have much in the way of points. You are minimum for your opening bid. Bid 1♠. That tells Partner that you have a fit, but you only have a minimum hand.
What if your hand was stronger? What do you do then?
With a VERY stong hand, say this one:
♠AKJ9
♥82
♦AKT4
♣A84
you can just go right to game. Bid 4♠. Partner is supposed to have at least 6 HCP to make the Negative Double. You have 19 HCP! That should be enough to make a game.
With a more medium type hand you can jump one level.
So with this hand:
♠AKJ9
♥82
♦AKJ96
♣84
you would jump to 2♠. That tells Partner that you have more than just a minimum opener, but not quite enough to bid a game.
Can you count extra points somehow?
Say you had this hand:
♠AQ92
♥2
♦AJT4
♣A842
You opened the bidding 1♦. If the Opponents had not interfered Partner would have responded 1♠. You have a fit and you will be Dummy. You can now add Dummy points to your hand. So now rather than 15 HCP in your hand you have 18 points because you get to count three points for your singleton ♥. It seems unfair that when the Opponents interfere with a 1♥ overcall you no longer get those points.
It is unfair. Give them to yourself!
So add Dummy points to your hand even though you will be Declarer.
So that 15 HCP hand now becomes an 18 point hand. You can now jump a level to 2♠ to show a hand with about 17 or 18 points -- even a really good 16 point hand.
That's quite a bit of information. Let's practice! That might make things a bit more clear.
On the following hands YOU opened the bidding 1♦. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) overcalled 1♥. Partner doubled. You have agreed to play Negative Doubles and this is one! Partner has at least 6 HCP and exactly four ♠. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". It is your bid. What will you bid and what does that bid show?
So the auction was:
YOU!
Your Left Hand Opponent
Partner
Your Right Hand Opponent
1♦
1♥
Double
Pass
???
With a minimum opening hand (and a fit!) bid just 1♠. This should show up to a bad 16 points.
With a medium opening hand (and a fit!) jump to 2♠. This should show a really good 16 points to 18 points.
With a maximum opening hand (and a fit!) bid 4♠. This should show at least 19 points.
(Remember to count Dummy points!)
Hand 1
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