Here is one area of bidding that the average bridge player totally ignores. What a waste!
Here is your new toy in a nutshell:
When an opponent makes an artificial bid, double that bid to show you have length and strength in that suit.
What are artificial bids? Here are some examples:
Stayman: both the 2♣ bid (asking for a major) and the 2♦ bid (denying a major) are artificial.
Jacoby: all 2-level suit responses to NT openings are artificial.
Blackwood: all responses to 4 NT are artificial; all responses to 5 NT are artificial.
Opening 2♣: both the 2♣ opening and the 2♦ response are artificial.
This is just a partial list of artificial bids – tournament bridge players carry many conventions in their arsenal. But the theory is the same with all:
When an opponent makes an artificial bid and you have length and strength in that suit - double. It is a penalty double, but it’s extremely unlikely that they will stop there - don’t forget, it’s an artificial bid, so they will continue bidding, while you slipped information in free.
What information? Your double says, Partner, lead, or maybe even bid that suit - I like it!
1. You
♠ 6 5 LHO Partner RHO You
♥ 7 5 1 NT Pass 2♣ Dbl
♦ 9 8 6
♣ K Q 10 9 6 5
You are indicating a lovely club lead for partner. Note that if the responder to 1 NT had bid any other suit, you would pass.
2. You
♠ 6 5 LHO Partner RHO You
♥ A K 9 1 NT Pass 2♣ Pass
♦ 7 5
♣ J 10 9 6 5 4
Now you have the length, but not the strength.
Come back next week for part 2!
