Negative doubles occur when partner opens the bidding, your right-hand opponent overcalls, and you have some strength but no other way to bid it.

Let’s say partner bid 1♣ , RHO overcalled 1 ♠ and you hold these cards:

♠10 6 5
♥K Q J 3
♦10 9 6 5
♣Q 3

You’d like to compete, but you can’t bid 2♥ with four cards and only eight high-card points. A negative double typically shows strength in the unbid suits. To bring partner into the auction at the one or two level, responder needs only six or more points. At the three level, responder needs nine or more; any higher, 11 or more.

You have a perfect hand for a one level negative double showing hearts and diamonds.

Let’s say another auction has proceeded as follows:

South            West            North            East
1♦                  2 ♣              Dbl               Pass
?

Of course, as opener you may hold a number of different hand types, including the two gorgeous hands that follow:

Hand #1
♠A J x
♥A x x
♦ A K Q J x
♣x x

Hand #2
♠A Q x x
♥A Q x x
♦A K x
♣x x

Hoping to bring you into the auction at the two level, as doubler partner has promised six or more points and at least one four-card major (maybe two but, if not, at least tolerance for the other or the ability to retreat to diamonds at the three level if need be). In point of fact, partner may even have a five-card major without the 10-point strength to bid it at the two level.

Now, let’s examine each of your possible holdings in greater detail:

Hand #1

You have a maximum-strength opening bid of 1♦ but (presumably) no fit for either unbid suit and no stopper in clubs. You know the partnership has enough combined strength to be in game but aren’t sure what the best game might be. The recommended choice in this situation is to cuebid 3 ♣ after West’s 2 ♣. This is forcing, asking for further input from partner. Partner’s top priority will be to bid 3NT with a stopper in clubs. Under such circumstances, 3NT has great chances for success. Let’s assume that partner does bid 3NT. Just pass quietly.

Hand #2

Once again, you have a maximum-strength opening bid of 1♦ but (this time) a hand strongly oriented toward the majors (with the guarantee of a fit in either hearts or spades). Once again, you lack a stopper in clubs. Knowing that partner has one would certainly be a plus, but your main concern is partner’s major-suit holdings. There’s a way to determine both. Cuebid 3 ♣ . If partner rebids 3NT, don’t stop there! Bid 4 ♥ (your cheaper major). Partner should realize that you’re 4-4 in the majors. (If you weren’t, your bid would be far too dangerous.) Partner will either pass 4 ♥ or correct to 4 ♠ (in the certainty of a 4-4 fit). Despite partner’s guard in clubs, 4 ♥ or 4 ♠ rates to be a better contract, because an eight-card major-suit game usually takes one more trick than a 3NT game.

In each of the above situations, partner has been able to stop clubs. But if partner is unable to do so, the goal of the partnership will be to reach the optimal contract. Generally, the best place to start is the majors. Although neither player can guard clubs, it may well be that the pair can locate a fit (or some semblance of a fit — typically 4-3 or 5-2) in either hearts or spades. After the cuebid, any call other than 3NT will categorically deny a club guard. Partner’s duty will be to initiate a probe in the majors (at the three level). The top priorities:

• Bid a five-card major (if one exists).

• Bid a four-card major. (There will be at least one to justify the negative double.)

• Bid the cheaper of two four-card majors.

• Of course, partner will understand what you’re attempting and will cooperate inasmuch as possible.

Now, let’s re-examine the two hand types diagrammed above:

Hand #1

When partner after doubling rebids either 3♥ or 3 ♠, raise to game despite a 3-3 pattern in the majors. With such a fine hand and only two losers in either major, risk playing in a likely 4-3 fit. And on the positive side, partner may have a five-card major: a nice 5-3 fit!

Hand #2

The day is saved. With your 4-4 pattern in the majors, gladly raise either 3♥ or 3 ♠ to the four level. As it turns out, your original cuebid was meant to solicit partner’s major-suit holdings. All’s well that ends well.

I have a final consideration for you to ponder. The Hand #2 auction proceeds as before, but this time you hold the following:

Hand #3

♠A Q x x
♥ A Q x x
♦A x x
♣K x

Despite your maximum-strength opening bid and a guard in clubs, do NOT bid 3NT. Why? Partner will surely pass, and you will have missed a known fit in one of the majors. Cuebid 3 ♣ . If partner bids 3NT, bid 4 ♥ (promising a 4-4 pattern in the majors). If partner bids either 3 ♥ or 3 ♠ , gladly raise to the four level.

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Have a great off-season, and play plenty of bridge! — Jim Kaplan