Using a "Re-opening Double".
Bridge Column for April 2, 2004, Harvey Bernstein
Special To The Plain Dealer
North-South vulnerable.  East deals.
                              North
                              S: Q 10 5           
                              H: 10 6 5            
                              D: J 9 7 3 2  
                              C: J 3 
            West                             East
            S: 9 8 7 6                       S: K J 3           
            H: A 9                           H: A 8 7 3 2  
            D: K 4                           D: A 10 8 5          
            C: Q 10 8 6 2                    C: K       
                              South                         
                              S: A 4 2
                              H: Q J 4    
                              D: Q 6         
                              C: A 9 7 5 4        
          The Bidding:  
                   East   South     West   North                  
                    1H     2C       Pass    Pass
                   Dbl     Pass     Pass    Pass
     Last week's column was about a re-opening double that did
not have the desired effect.  Today's column is a good example of
how this tool should work.  East makes a very normal one heart
opening bid.  South has an opening hand but the five card club
suit is somewhat weak.  The two club overcall would have been
much better if the queen-jack of hearts would have been the
queen-jack of clubs.
    West could make a negative double, showing four spades and
some points, but he would much prefer to be able to make a
penalty double, which he can't do.  North passes and East has to
consider his options.  Two diamonds has potential, however,
neither the heart or diamond suit is "robust".  The singleton
club indicates that partner may have club length.  Opener's
values are in aces and kings, which is also a plus.  This hand
should be re-opened with a double, and East does just that.
     South passes and West converts the double to a "penalty
double" by passing as well.  North has nowhere to go with his
four point hand.
     West starts with the ace of hearts and continues with a
second heart.  When all is said and done, South is able to take
only four tricks and the East-West pair score up 1,100 points for
a four trick set.  
     The "Negative Double" convention is very popular and is one
of the more "useful" conventions.  If you are using it, every
once in a while you will find yourself stuck for a bid because
you can't make a low level penalty double.  Studying hands like
today's will help you deal with these situations.

     Congratulations to the following local players who have
achieved new levels of success in the quest for master points.
     Adrienne Ozan of Cleveland has passed the 1,000 master point
level and is a silver life masters.
     Donald Barrick of Cleveland has passed the 500 master point
level and is a bronze life master.
     Delores Staycer of Bedford, Alex Ogan of Moreland Hills,
Betty Hitchcock of Mentor and Katherine Power of Westlake have
satisfied all of the requirements and are now life masters.
_______________________________________________________
Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.