Double Club System

Following an Overcall

Disturbed new suit is non-forcing

A response in a new suit is "disturbed" if an opponent's intervening bid has caused it to be made at a higher level. Thus 1, (2), 2 is disturbed (responder would presumably have bid 1 with no intervention), but 1, (2), 2 is not disturbed (responder could not have bid diamonds more cheaply if there had been no intervention).

We play that an undisturbed new suit bid is forcing, as it would have been with no intervening bid, but a disturbed new suit bid is non-forcing, showing moderate values and a 6-card suit, similar to a weak two opening bid.

If responder was going to make a forcing response in a new suit which has now been disturbed, he must instead make a negative double. When he then corrects opener's bid by bidding a new suit, the auction is forcing to game, the new suit is natural, and the negative double's inference of holding both unbid suits is cancelled.

The reason for playing a disturbed new suit as non-forcing is to allow responder, when having a good suit but minimal values, to compete safely.

Two-over-one is no longer game-forcing

After an opponent's overcall, an undisturbed new suit at the two-level is forcing for one round only, it is no longer game-forcing, but it now carries the implication of being a good 5-card or longer suit. This change of meaning and reduction in values allows sensible constructive bidding in competition. Responder can cue bid on the second round to show game values.

Negative doubles apply up to 4

The negative double is the most powerful weapon against an overcall. Opener will take the double as showing 4 cards in the other major (or both majors if both are unbid). If responder doesn't have what he promises, he had better have other compensation, such as a strong hand with which he wishes to force in a disturbed new suit.

A cue bid shows strong support

We use the Unassuming Cue Bid to show support for opener's suit based on values.

Note: The cue bid can be repeated, to ask partner for further description of his hand. It may be repeated more than once, sometimes, since responder may need to keep the force going. It doesn't matter how many times the opponents' suit is cue bid, it still remains a cue bid and must never be considered a genuine suit.

The only situation in which a bid by our side of an opponents' suit can be taken as natural is if a penalty double has been made by the opponents and we wish to escape to a suit first bid by them, or if our side has previously implied a holding in a suit later bid by an opponent (who may or may not be psyching). Eg, (1), dbl, (1): now if advancer has spades he must double or bid 2 naturally (a spade bid is natural, and a double of spades is for penalties, because the takeout double implied spades). If he passes, partner will never believe he has spades.

A direct raise is preemptive

A raise of partner's suit is based on suit length and distribution. It is competitive or preemptive and does not invite a raise (although partner may bid further in competition, if suitable).

A no trump bid is natural and non-forcing

In competition, all no trump bids are natural, showing a stopper in the opponents' suit and the values to bid no trumps at that level, and are non-forcing.

We can compete freely in clubs

In spite of the fact that our 1 opening bid does not promise a club suit, it is quite safe for responder to compete in clubs when having a club suit himself. In a competitive auction, opener will usually have a natural club hand, but when he does not he can safely convert to no trumps since he will have 17+ hcp.

In competition, a simple conversion of a club raise to no trumps shows 17-19 hcp and is non-forcing, while a jump conversion of a club raise to no trumps shows 20+ hcp. Responder can compete safely in clubs provided that he has 6+ hcp, so can be a little weaker than he would be to respond 2 in an uncontested auction.

In fact, after a 1 opening bid has been overcalled, it is important that responder should endeavour to show even moderate values, and even a raise to 2 on 6 hcp and 3-card support is worth risking if unsuitable for a negative double. Opener's rebid, if he is strong, is much simpler if he knows of some values opposite, since he can bid 2NT or make a cue bid if the second opponent raises the barrage. He would be reluctant to do either if responder may be bust, even if having a stopper or half-stopper.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club