Double Club System

Tricky Bidding Sequences

The Double Club System is natural, as far as possible. A few of the early bids are artificial but most of those are easily learnt and remembered. The Kokish Relay, for example, occurs frequently enough that it should never be forgotten.

There are some sequences, however, that occur only rarely but are a key part of the System, and you should know how to deal with them when they do happen. This page lists those sequences, so that you can learn them all (or remind yourself from time to time).

1, 1; 2

This rebid by opener is artificial and forcing, showing that opener has a natural club suit (but not necessarily a diamond suit) and is too strong to have rebid only 2. Responder must now bid 2 as an artificial relay, and then opener will complete the description of his hand.

1, 1; 1, 1NT

Responder's rebid is natural, showing 6-9 hcp, but it also promises a 4-card heart suit. Opener can and should raise hearts if he has a three-suited hand, otherwise he continues naturally.

1, 2; 2NT

Responder has 8-11 hcp (or sometimes 14+ hcp) and a club suit. Opener's rebid shows a balanced 17-22 hcp and responder has denied a 4-card major. But there may be a 5-3 major suit fit. Furthermore, even if there is no major suit fit a 3NT contract may be flawed. Responder's continuations allow the partnership to discover whether a 5-3 major suit fit exists and, if not, whether 3NT is playable (if not we can try for a minor suit game or 4-3 major suit fit). The meanings of these continuations need to be learned and remembered, however.

1, 1NT; 2NT and 1, 2; 2NT

Responder has 8-11 hcp and a diamond suit, (he bids 1NT if balanced, 2 if unbalanced). Just as in the previous sequence, opener's rebid shows a balanced 17-22 hcp and responder has denied a 4-card major. But there may be a 5-3 major suit fit. Responder should normally rebid 3, so that opener can show a 5-card major if he has one.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club