Double Club System

Two Over One Responses

A two-level response in a new suit to an opening bid of 1 or 1 is in principle game-forcing. However, a light or minimum opener can put the brakes on and cancel the game force by rebidding 2NT. Only a few specific bidding sequences allow the bidding to stop short of game and these are enumerated here.

For sound tactical reasons, the Double Club System permits light opening bids. But there are absolutely no reasons why responder should ever make a light two-over-one response. Responder is expected to have 12+ hcp if he responds at the two-level. With less than 12+ hcp (indeed, even with a poor 12 hcp), responder should bid 1NT (which is forcing over a major suit opening).

Responder has 3-card support with 7 losers

This is the only hand allowed to make a two-level response with less than 12 hcp. Responder is not likely to be far short of the expected 12 hcp if he has just 3-card support and 7 losers and, as a fit is guaranteed, there are no special problems in the subsequent auction.

After a Two Over One Response

Opener has Full Values and an Unbalanced Hand

Bidding continues naturally. Both opener's and responder's first bid suits can be given delayed support with 3 cards, while a second bid suit obviously requires 4-card support. There is rarely a need to invent a bid in a short suit, and that should be avoided in most circumstances.

The Two-Over-One Game-Forcing system is designed for exactly these types of unbalanced hands, where natural exploration can proceed at a leisurely pace without risk of a premature pass. There should be no problems in reaching the best game or slam.

The only thing to beware of is that, in the Double Club System, after opener has made a minimum rebid (at or below two of his original suit) any bid of 2NT by either partner is non-forcing. Thus neither player should bid 2NT unless he would like partner to pass if light or minimum. This is not much of a problem, since a natural suit can always be bid instead of 2NT.

Opener has a 5-card Suit in a Weak Balanced Hand

If opener is balanced and weaker than the 1NT opening bid, he will have a decent 5-card suit and 10-12 hcp. He will have either 7 or 8 losers.

Opener should rebid his 5-card suit. In some Two-Over-One systems this promises extra length (i.e. at least a 6-card suit). In the Double Club System this rebid of opener's suit does not automatically promise extra length, because (a) opener should not ever be forced to bid a 3-card suit in a game-forcing situation, since this would completely derail the auction if the 3-card suit were to attract support, and (b) opener can only bid beyond two of his first suit if he has extra strength (14+ hcp), so a rebid of opener's first suit is just a default bid.

After opener has rebid his suit, either partner, if having minimum values, can bid a non-forcing 2NT. The other partner can pass 2NT if he also has minimum values and no fit. Any bid beyond 2NT forces the auction to game, unless a clear misfit is apparent.

Opener has a 5-card Suit in a Strong Balanced Hand

Opener is permitted to open 1 or 1 when he has a balanced hand of 17-20 hcp and a good 5-card suit, even though the normal bid with such a hand is to open with 1. Obviously opener should not open with a non-forcing bid when he has 21+ hcp, since he would not want responder to pass with 5 hcp, but with 17-20 hcp and a good suit he may well feel that it is tactically better to open with the suit rather than with 1.

After a Two-Over-One response to 1 or 1, opener can rebid 2NT with 17-20 hcp. Responder will be aware that slam must at least be close. Bidding continues naturally.

Opener is light with a single suit

If opener has a 6-card or longer suit (with no second suit) and is light, having less than 12 hcp, he must rebid his suit. This situation is quite rare, since opener would have chosen to open a weak two in many cases. Opener will finish describing his hand by rebidding it one more time at the three level, and responder can pass this bid if there is an evident misfit.

Opener is light with a second suit

If opener has a second 4-card or longer suit and is light, having less than 12 hcp, he should nevertheless have 7 losers at most (otherwise he should have passed). There should thus be a game if a fit exists but there may not be sufficient high cards if no fit exists. Opener bids as follows:

• With 4-card or longer support for responder (or 3-card support if hearts), he raises responder's suit. The auction is forcing to game, or to four of a minor, since a fit has been found.
• With a second 4-card or longer suit that can be shown below the level of his first suit, opener should bid his second suit. The auction is forcing to game if responder supports either of opener's suits. Otherwise either player can bid 2NT if holding minimum values, and the partner should pass if he also holds minimum values.
• In all other cases, opener must rebid his first suit. After opener has rebid his suit, either partner, if having minimum values, can bid a non-forcing 2NT. The other partner can pass 2NT if he also has minimum values and no fit. Any bid beyond 2NT forces the auction to game, unless a clear misfit is apparent.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club