Competitive bidding
Responses after a takeout double
The takeout double shows opening values, so responder bids more preemptively. There are some adjustments to the basic structure.
Playing 2NT is infeasible now as 1♣xx is more profitable. As a result, the meaning of 2NT is changed to a convention. For its original meaning, redouble instead. Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows that 3NT over 1♣ (X) is still natural.
Jump shifts become weak if responder unpassed. Redouble to show strength for original strong jump shifts. Keep in mind that fit-showing by a passed responder are unadjusted because the previous pass denies both jump shifts.
Responses to 1♣ (Dbl)
A simple raise can now be made with only 5 points. The jump shifts are weak for an unpassed responder.
| 1♣ (X) | |
|---|---|
| XX | INV+, 11+, not a Truscott 2NT |
| 2♣ | 5–10, 4+♣ |
| 2♥♠ | WJS, 8–11, 6+# |
| 2NT! | Truscott, CONST as former 3♣ |
| 3♣ | PRE, 7–10, 5+♣ |
| 3NT | 13–15 HCP, BAL, 5+♣ |
Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows no weak 2♦. A weak hand with 6+ diamonds bids 1♦.
A passed responder keeps the fit-showing jumps unchanged.
| P - 1♣ (X) | |
|---|---|
| 2♥♠! | fit-showing, 11+, 5+#, 5+♣ |
| 3♦! | fit-showing, 11+, 5+♦, 5+♣ |
Responses to 1♦ (Dbl)
A simple raise can now be made with only 5 points. The jump shifts are weak for an unpassed responder.
| 1♦ (X) | |
|---|---|
| XX | INV+, 11+, no other suitable call |
| 2♣ | INV+, 12+, 4+♣ |
| 2♦ | 5–10, 4+♦ |
| 2♥♠ | WJS, 8–11, 6+# |
| 2NT! | Truscott, CONST as former 3♦ |
| 3♣ | WJS, 8+, 6+♣ |
| 3♦ | PRE, 6–9, 5+♦ |
A passed responder keeps the fit-showing jumps unchanged.
| P - 1♦ (X) | |
|---|---|
| 2♥♠! | fit-showing, 11+, 5+#, 4+♦ |
| 3♣! | fit-showing, 11+, 5+♣, 4+♦ |
Responses after a simple suit overcall
Wbridge5 employs French convention for such low-level competitive auctions. The French insist on showing length of hearts quickly to compete with latent adverse spades.
Collante
The French word collante means “sticky” in English. This means that a negative double after a 1♦ or 1♥ overcall shows exactly 4 cards in the next suit viz ♥ or ♠ respectively. As a consequence, the direct bid of the suit now shows 5+ cards.
Be aware that Collante only affects one suit. The meaning of 1♠ in 1♣ (1♦) 1♠ is the same as 1♣ - 1♠, which shows 4+ cards in spades, because only hearts is affected by (1♦).
| 1m (1♦) | |
|---|---|
| X | NEG, 6+, 4=♥ |
| 1♥ | free bid, 6+, 5+♥ |
| 1♠ | free bid, 6+, 4+♠ |
| 2♦ | cuebid, 14+ HCP |
| 1m (1♥) | |
|---|---|
| X | NEG, 6+, 4=♠ |
| 1♠ | free bid, 6+, 5+♠ |
| 2♥ | cuebid, 13+ HCP |
Rodrigue
This convention is uncommon in France, but is used by Wbridge5. After a 1♠ overcall, Wbridge5 gives up the simple raise for a negative free bid of hearts. This bid differentiates with the negative double by showing 5+ cards of hearts, making the negative double show exactly 4 cards.
Wbridge5 madly insists on showing length of hearts quickly to compete with latent adverse spades.
| 1m (1♠) | |
|---|---|
| X | NEG, 6+, 4=♥ |
| 2m! | NEG free bid, 6–10, 5+♥ |
| 2♥ | (positive) free bid, 11+, 5+♥ |
| 2♠ | cuebid, 13+ HCP |
| 3m | mixed raise, 9–13, 5+m |
Higher overcalls
Over 1♦ (2♣), responder shows hearts first, as in Rodrigue. A 2♦ bid shows 4+ hearts, and the double shows both majors. A hand with 4 spades but not 4 hearts does not double.
| 1♦ (2♣) | |
|---|---|
| P | 6–14 HCP, including 4♠ without 4♥ |
| X! | NEG, 7–18, 4+♠, 4+♥ |
| 2♦! | 8–17, 4+♥, 0–3♠ |
| 2♥ | 12–18, 5+♥ |
| 2♠ | 12+, 5+♠ |
| 2NT | 9–14 HCP |
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 15–16 HCP |
| 3♦ | INV, 10–13 HCP, 4♦ |
| 3♥♠ | WJS, 6–9 HCP, 6# |
| 3NT | 12–16 HCP |
All 59 hands that bid 2♦ held 4–5 hearts. With 5 hearts, responder bids 2♦ with 6–10 HCP and 2♥ with more. For example, ♠AQ97 ♥A763 ♦1093 ♣94 doubles, and ♠73 ♥AJ75 ♦J1062 ♣AJ6 bids 2♦.
Over a weak jump overcall, Collante carries on to the 2-level: the double of 2♥ shows spades. At the 3-level the double shows 4 spades and 10+ HCP.
| 1♦ (2♥) | |
|---|---|
| P | 6–11 HCP |
| X! | NEG, 8–17, 4+♠ |
| 2♠ | 11+, 5+♠ |
| 2NT | 10–12 HCP, 4+♥ |
| 3♣ | 13+, 5+♣ |
| 3♦ | 6–11 HCP, 4♦ |
| 3♥! | Cuebid, 13–16 HCP |
| 3NT | 12–16 HCP |
With 5 spades, responder doubles with 7–9 HCP and bids 2♠ with more.
| 1♣ (3♥) | |
|---|---|
| P | Most hands, including 4♠ with 6–10 HCP |
| X! | NEG, 10–16 HCP, usually 4=♠ |
| 3♠ | 11+, 5+♠ |
| 3NT | 12–16 HCP |
| 4♦ | 14+, 6+♦ |
For example, ♠AKQ10 ♥972 ♦Q2 ♣K1087 doubles 1♣ (3♥). The probes for this section gave responder 0–4 cards in opener’s minor.
Over Precise Michaels
Over 1♣, the opponents’ 2♦ is a Precise Michaels bid for both majors, because the opponents play Wbridge5’s own defaults. Responder never doubles it. Its calls are tabled with the other opponents’ two-suiters.
Opener’s rebids after a negative double
Responder’s calls mean the same with or without LHO’s overcall, so opener rebids as in an uncontested auction. The negative double stands for a response in the major it shows. Since the double shows exactly 4 cards, opener raises only with 4-card support.
Over 1♣ (1♦) Dbl
Opener raises as over 1♣ - 1♥, but the cheap 1♥ is now available for a minimum raise. Each raise therefore shows a little more.
| 1♣ (1♦) X (P) | |
|---|---|
| 1♥ | 13–15, 4♥ |
| 1♠ | 13–18, 4♠, 0–3♥ |
| 1NT | 12–14 HCP, BAL, 2–3♥ |
| 2♣ | 13–18, 5+♣, UNBAL |
| 2♥ | 14–16, 4♥ |
| 2♠ | 18+, 4♠, 5+♣ |
| 2NT | 17–21 HCP, BAL |
| 3♣ | 17–20, 6+♣ |
| 3♥ | INV, 16–20, 4♥ |
| 4♥ | 17–18 HCP, 4♥, 5-4-2-2 |
With 4 hearts and a singleton, a strong opener can also make a double jump in the short suit to show a splinter (3♠, 4♦) or jump to 4♣ with 6 clubs.
- ♠94 ♥Q732 ♦KQ ♣AJ1094: Bid 1♥ over 1♣ (1♦) X. This is a minimum raise.
- ♠K10 ♥Q962 ♦93 ♣AKQ97: Bid 2♥ over 1♣ (1♦) X.
- ♠A8 ♥KJ83 ♦4 ♣KQJ654: Bid 3♥ over 1♣ (1♦) X.
Over 1m (1♥) Dbl
The double shows exactly 4 spades. The spade raises step up the same way.
| 1m (1♥) X (P) | |
|---|---|
| 1♠ | 12–15, 4♠ |
| 1NT | 12–15 HCP, BAL, 2–3♠ |
| 2m | 13–17, 5+m, UNBAL |
| 2♠ | 14–17, 4♠ |
| 2NT | 17–21 HCP, BAL |
| 3m | 17–20, 6+m |
| 3♠ | INV, 15–20, 4♠ |
Over 1m (1♠) Dbl
The double shows exactly 4 hearts. There is no room for a 1♥ raise, so the raises are the same as over 1m - 1♥.
| 1m (1♠) X (P) | |
|---|---|
| 1NT | 12–14 HCP, BAL |
| 2♣ | 13–18, 5+♣ |
| 2♥ | 12–16, 4♥ |
| 2NT | 17–21 HCP, BAL |
| 3♥ | INV, 17–19, 4♥ |
Opener’s rebids after Rodrigue
Opener supports hearts with only 2 cards because Rodrigue shows 5+ hearts. Opener passes with a singleton heart or a long minor in a minimum.
| 1m (1♠) 2m! (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–17, (6+m or 0–1♥) |
| 2♥ | 12–15, 2+♥ |
| 2♠! | cuebid, 18+, 4♥ |
| 3m | 16–20, 6+m |
| 3♥ | INV, 14–18, 3+♥ |
| 4♥ | 17+, 3+♥ |
- ♠Q742 ♥Q ♦AQ3 ♣Q9632: Pass 1♣ (1♠) 2♣ with a singleton heart.
- ♠KJ6 ♥J3 ♦Q ♣AQ107542: Pass 1♣ (1♠) 2♣. Clubs are a good enough contract.
If RHO competes, opener’s 3♥ is competitive.
| 1♣ (1♠) 2♣! (2♠) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–15, usually 2♥ |
| 3♣ | 14–18, 6+♣ |
| 3♥ | 12–16, 3+♥ |
| 4♥ | 15+, 3+♥ |
Opener’s rebids after a free bid in a major
After Collante a free 1♥ shows 5+ hearts, and after 1♥ overcall a free 1♠ shows 5+ spades. Opener raises with 3 cards. These raises do not change when RHO acts.
| 1♣ (1♦) 1♥ (X) | |
|---|---|
| XX! | 15+, 4♠, 2=♥ |
| 1♠ | 13–17, 4♠, 0–2♥ |
| 2♣ | 13–17, 5+♣ |
| 2♥ | 12–16, 3+♥ |
| 3♦! | SPL, 15–17, 3+♥, 0–1♦ |
| 3♥ | INV, 16–21, 3+♥ |
| 4♥ | 18+, 3+♥ |
The 2011 writeup calls this redouble a support redouble with 2+ hearts and 4+ spades. Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows exactly 2 hearts, since opener simply raises with 3.
| 1♣ (1♦) 1♥ (2♦) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–15, 0–2♥ |
| X! | 15, 4♠, 2=♥ |
| 2♥ | 12–15, 3+♥ |
| 2♠ | 16+, 4♠, 0–2♥ |
| 3♣ | 14+, 6+♣ |
| 3♥ | INV, 15–20, 3+♥ |
| 3NT | 16–18 HCP, BAL, 2♥ |
| 4♦! | SPL, 17+, 4♥, 0–1♦ |
The 2011 writeup requires 16+ for this double. Probing Wbridge5 5.12 shows it with 13 HCP, as below. Stronger hands with 4 spades bid 2♠.
- ♠AQ94 ♥KJ ♦95 ♣K7542: Redouble 1♣ (1♦) 1♥ (X), or double 1♣ (1♦) 1♥ (2♦).
| 1♣ (1♥) 1♠ (2♥) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–16, 0–2♠ |
| 2♠ | 12–16, 3+♠ |
| 3♣ | 14+, 6+♣ |
| 3♠ | INV, 15–19, 3+♠ |
| 3NT | 17–19 HCP, 2♠ |
| 4♣! | fit-showing, 17+, 3+♠, 6♣ |
| 4♠ | 18+, 3+♠ |
Opener’s rebids after a takeout double
After a redouble
When RHO passes, opener always passes the redouble and lets responder describe. When RHO bids, opener’s double shows 3+ cards in RHO’s suit or a strong hand.
| 1♣ (X) XX (1♠) | |
|---|---|
| P | 12–15, minimum |
| X | 14+, (3+♠ or 17+ HCP) |
| 1NT | 12–14 HCP, BAL |
| 2♣ | 13–18, 6+♣ |
| 2♥ | 15–19, 4♥, UNBAL |
After Truscott 2NT
The Truscott 2NT is a constructive raise. Opener signs off at 3m with a minimum and bids game otherwise.
| 1m (X) 2NT! (P) | |
|---|---|
| 3m | S/O, 11–13 HCP |
| 3NT | 13+ HCP, BAL |
| 4m | 15+ HCP, slam interest |
| 5m | 14+, UNBAL |
- ♠94 ♥Q732 ♦KQ ♣AJ1094: Bid 3♣ over 1♣ (X) 2NT.
- ♠Q4 ♥AKJ3 ♦2 ♣KQ10983: Bid 5♣ over 1♣ (X) 2NT.
After a weak jump shift
Opener raises with 2 cards because the weak jump shift shows 6+ cards.
| 1m (X) 2M (P) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–14 HCP |
| 3m | 15+, 6+m, 0–1M |
| 3M | 14–18, 2+M |
| 4m | fit-showing, 17+, 6+m, 3+M |
| Other jump to the 4-level | SPL, 17+, 3+M, 0–1# |
| 4M | 17+, 2+M |
Over 2♥, a 2♠ rebid shows 4 spades, a singleton heart, and 19+.
- ♠AKQ10 ♥972 ♦Q2 ♣K1087: Bid 3♥ over 1♣ (X) 2♥.
- ♠AQ94 ♥KJ ♦95 ♣K7542: Pass 1♣ (X) 2♥.
Opener’s rebids after responder’s cuebid
After a cuebid, opener rebids naturally.
| 1♣ (1♦) 2♦ (P) | |
|---|---|
| 2♥♠ | 4+# |
| 2NT | 12–14 HCP, BAL |
| 3♣ | 5+♣ |
| 3NT | 15+ HCP, BAL |
Support doubles
When RHO overcalls responder’s 1-level major, opener’s double shows exactly 3 cards in responder’s major at any strength, as after 1♥ - 1♠.
| 1♣ - 1♥ (1♠) | |
|---|---|
| P | 12–14 HCP, 3=♠, 2=♥ |
| X! | Support, 12–21, 3=♥ |
| 1NT | 12–14 HCP, 3=♠, 2=♥ |
| 2♣ | 14–18, 6+♣ |
| 2♥ | 12–18, 4=♥ |
| 2NT | 17–19 HCP, BAL |
| 3♣ | 19–20, 7+♣ |
| 3♥ | 16–20, 4=♥ |
| 3NT | 16–18 HCP, 6♣ |
| 4♥ | 19–21, 4=♥ |
Opener doubled 66 of the 69 hands with 3 hearts. For example, ♠J83 ♥AJ10 ♦A6 ♣A10874 doubles. The 2NT and 3♣ rows come from 2–3 boards each. With 4 hearts and 17+ HCP, opener also jumped to 3♠ (2 boards) or 4♦ (1 board) with a singleton there. The probe gave opener 2–4 hearts and 0–3 spades.
| 1♦ - 1♠ (2♣) | |
|---|---|
| P | 13–14, 2=♠, 3=♥, 5=♦ |
| X! | Support, 12–21, 3=♠ |
| 2♦ | 14–18, 6+♦ |
| 2♠ | 12–16, 4=♠ |
| 3♣! | Cuebid, 17–19 HCP, 2–3♠ |
| 3♦ | 19–21, 6+♦ |
| 3♠ | 15–20, 4=♠ |
| 3NT | 18–19 HCP |
| 4♠ | 18–19 HCP, 4=♠ |
Opener doubled 70 of the 77 hands with 3 spades. Balanced hands with 17–19 HCP and 3 spades may cuebid 3♣ instead, as 4 of the 5 cuebids did. For example, ♠AK4 ♥J62 ♦AQJ964 ♣2 doubles. The 3NT and 4♠ rows come from 2 boards each. The probe gave opener 2–4 spades and 0–3 hearts.
Maximal double
The double is a game try when the partnership has found a major fit, both opponents have bid, and 3 of the major would only be competitive.
| 1♣ (1♥) 1♠ (2♥) 2♠ (3♥) | |
|---|---|
| 3♠ | 8–10, 5+♠ |
| X! | Game try, 11–12, 5+♠ |
| 4♥! | cuebid, 13+, 5+♠, 0–1♥ |
| 4♠ | 13+, 5+♠ |
- ♠AJ963 ♥6 ♦1053 ♣A532: Double.
- ♠KQJ98 ♥10 ♦94 ♣J10532: Bid 3♠.
Not probed
- Responder’s calls with 5+ cards in opener’s minor, and over 1♣ (2♣), 1♦ (2♠), 1♣ (3♦) or a 3♠ overcall.
- Opener’s rebids after the 2- and 3-level negative doubles and after 1♦ (2♣) 2♦.
- Support doubles at the 3-level after a minor opening.