Bidding Quiz: One-level Negative Doubles by David

A: Double. It is too soon to raise diamonds because you might have a spade fit. When you play negative (take-out) doubles by responder - as nearly all tournament players do - you can double with 4 spades here and only bid 1♠ when you have 5 spades or more.

Your result so far:

A: Double. The reason why players strove to overcall 1♠ a few decades ago is that it cut out the 1♥ response. If the responder bid 2♥, the opener could not tell whether this was based on a 5-card or 4-card heart suit.

The introduction of negative doubles solved this problem. You respond 2♥ when you have 5 or more hearts, providing you are strong enough to make a two-level response. With only 4 hearts, you start with a negative double.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠. After a 1♦ overcall, there is no reason for 1♠ to promise a 5-card suit. If you had four cards in both major suits, you would choose a negative double instead.

Your result so far:

A: 2♣. You are strong enough to make two bids (at least; you will carry the bidding to game). You should therefore begin by showing your longest suit. If partner rebids 2♦, you will continue with 2♠, giving an accurate picture of longer clubs than spades.

(You should follow the same sequence even if there is no 1♥ overcall.)

Your result so far:

A: 3♦. You see players making a negative double on such hands, hoping to find a spade fit. On such a weak hand, it is better to show the diamond fit. You expect West to raise hearts. If you start with a double and West bids 2♥ or 3♥, you may not be able to show your diamond fit.

A raise to 3♦ is pre-emptive. If you had game-try values (or better), you would bid 2♥ (the opponents' suit) instead.

Your result so far:

A: 1NT. Since you have four spades, you could start with a negative double. However, most of your hand is in hearts, so 1NT gives a better description.

Your result so far: