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Quiz - The Negative Double

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This quiz was written by Oren Lidor to accompany the article 'Negative Double'

Have a go at playing when playing sitting third seat, after partner opening at the first level then your right-hand opponent making an overcall. Your overall score will be displayed, along with the correct answers once you’ve complete the exercise.

Negative Double

Negative Double

1) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Double


Your hand isn't suitable for a 2♥ bid as you don’t have the 10+ points needed to change suit at the 2 level (10 + points and 5+ cards in Heart). Therefore, double now, with a plan to bid 2♥ on your next bid. By doing so you show a long Heart suit but fewer than 10 points (just like bidding 1♥ and later rebidding 2♥).

2) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: 2♥

This time you do have 10+ points and 5+ cards in Hearts, meaning your hand is suitable for a 2♥ bid.

3) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Double

In this situation you’ve enough points to bid game but don’t have 5 cards in Hearts. So double to show you have 4 cards in Hearts. If partner rebids 2♥ (showing 12-14 points and 4 cards in Hearts) then you should bid 4♥. If they rebid 1NT (showing 12-14 points, a spade stopper, but no 4 cards in Hearts) then you should bid 3NT. If they bid 2♣/♦, then bid a 2♠ cue bid, to show a game forcing hand (with 4 cards in Hearts which you’ve already shown), asking partner for Spade stopper for 3NT. If partner has a stopper you’ll likely play 3NT, otherwise 5♣/♦ would be your next option.

4) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Double

If you’d bid 2♥, you’d be showing 10+ points, as that is what’s needed to change suits at the 2 level. So instead you need to double (a negative double), showing both major suits (or 1 long major with a weak hand).

If partner then responds with 2♥/♠, they’re showing minimum points and 4 cards in ♥/♠, which you would then need to Pass. If they respond with 2♦, it shows long Diamonds but no 4 card major, and you should once again Pass. Partner can jump if they have a better hand or bid 3♣ (cue bid) with a game forcing hand.

5) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: 2♠

Note that the a 1♠ bid by partner after the 1♥ overcall shows 5 cards in Spades. If partner had only 4 cards in Spades they would’ve doubled (a negative double), which is why you can support Spades at the 2 level, showing 12-14 points.

6) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Double

You’ve a good hand and clearly the points are with you. Opponent's 3♥ is preemptive, and is trying to disturb your bidding.
You have a good hand for a negative double to find a possible 4-4 Spade fit (a 3♠ bid must have at least 5 cards in Spades). Partner can bid 3♠ with minimum, 4♠ with a little more, 3NT with Heart stoppers (or even Pass with great Hearts, especially if opponents are vulnerable) or 4♣/♦ with a suitable hand:


Here partner bids 4♠ after your negative double. Which makes if Diamonds are 3-2 (5♦ can’t make; losing Diamond, Club and Heart).

7) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Pass

Partner's Double shows 4+ cards in Hearts. So why not bid 4♥? Because partner shows (6)7+ points for their double, but they can be weak. So, although we have fit, we don’t have enough strength to be in game. Therefore it’s best to Pass. Bidding isn’t over yet, and if partner is strong they can bid on. For example they might double again (a re-opening double), showing more points, which will allow you to bid 4♥:

8) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: 3♠

Your partner's negative double shows BOTH majors. You’ve only 13 points but your hand is very good with a clear Spade fit, a good long Club suit and a singleton in opponent's suit; so here you should bid 3♠. There’s a good chance for 4♠ if partner has a little bit more than minimum:

In this situation partner can raise to 4♠ and you’ll have a great chance to make, maybe even with an overtrick.

9) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Pass

Partner's bid shows a long Spade suit but fewer than 10 points. With 10+ and 5+ Spades they’d bid 2♠ after the 2♣ overcall, which would be forcing. To sign off with long Spades and a weak hand partner needs to Double first and later on bid 2♠ (in the same way as if they’d bid 1♠ and later 2♠). Therefore pass. Partner's hand could be like this:

10) What will you bid?

Correct Answer: Pass

Partner's 3♣ doesn’t show any extras as your double forced them to bid. Therefore Pass is the right bid. The hands could look like this:

Here the negative double helped you into 3♣, the best contract possible.

About the Author

Oren Lidor is considered one of the best bridge teachers in Israel, is the author of 5 bridge books, and teaches bridge to people from all over the world on BBO.

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