Learning how to deal with "Negative" doubles.
Bridge Column for March 26, 2004, Harvey Bernstein
Special To The Plain Dealer
North-South vulnerable.  South deals.
                              North
                              S: J 9 8            
                              H: A 9 8             
                              D: 5 4 2  
                              C: 7 6 4 3 
            West                             East
            S: 7 6 3                         S: K 5 4 2            
            H: K Q 10 6 5 4                  H: J  
            D: 6                             D: A Q 9 7              
            C: J 10 5                        C: A Q 9 8       
                              South                         
                              S: A Q 10 
                              H: 7 3 2     
                              D: K J 10 8 3          
                              C: K 2         
          The Bidding:  
                  South    West    North    East                  
                   1D       2H      Pass    Pass
                   Dbl     Pass      3d      Dbl
                   Pass    Pass     Pass    
     West led the king of hearts and when the dust settled, North-South were minus 800.  Let's look at what was right and what was wrong.
     The opening bid and the weak jump overcall by West were picture perfect.  East's pass was also excellent.
     South must be taken to task for making a very elementary mistake.  The North-South pair are playing "negative doubles".  Had North doubled the weak two heart bid, it would have shown at least a four card spade suit, tolerance for clubs, and at least seven or eight playing points.  If North has a hand that would normally make a penalty double of the two heart call, he must pass.  
     When the bidding comes around to South he is required to evaluate his holding and reopen with a double when this evaluation indicates that partner could have a hand that would be appropriate for a penalty double.  
     South does not have this type of hand.  West has shown a six card heart suit - South has three small hearts, leaving only four hearts for the North and East hands.  While North could have many high card points and little in the heart suit - it is much more likely that he would have found a bid rather than pass with that hand.
     Many players feel that there is an obligation to keep the bidding open in these types of sequences.  This is a mis-conception.  Only re-open when your own holding supports that action.

     Unit 125 of the American Contract Bridge League held the
Ohio Masters Sectional Bridge Tournament in Solon on March 5 - 7. 
The following players were successful in their respective events
on March 7.  Other results were listed in previous columns.

     Board-A-Match Teams (12 teams).  Stratum A1. 1/2 Martin Harris, Chicago, IL, Jacob Morgan, Madison, WI, Kenneth and Laurie Kranyak, Bay Village, with Don and Kathleen Sulgrove, Twinsburg, Martin Baff, Beachwood, and Keith Sechler, Middleburg Heights.  Stratum A2. 1. James and Mary Reeve, North Royalton, Bernard Heyman, Shaker Heights, and Lois Butler, Chagrin Falls.

     Stratified Swiss Teams (32 teams).  Stratum B. 1. Steven Grzegorzewski, Meadville, PA, F. Randall Cox, Girard, PA, Francis Tseng and Lori Benacci, Erie, PA.  2. Philip Dawson, Cleveland, J. Lawniczak, Novelty, Gordon Berry, Chagrin Falls, and Russell Stambaugh, Gates Mills.  Stratum C. 1. Dawson, Lawniczak, Berry, and Stambaugh.  2. Vivian Shanafelt, Medina, Doug Henderson, Cleveland, James and Sara Buford, Lorain.  Stratum D. 1. Shanafelt, Henderson, and the Bufords.  2. Kathy Kriss, Patricia Oxley, Flo Hinshaw, Ashland, and Martha Arnholt, Loudonville. 
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Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.