Support Doubles and Support Redoubles

The Support Double was devised by Mr. Eric Rodwell, and is a method that enables the opening bidder to clarify or show precisely the degree of support of the suit of the partner or responder. This generally occurs in a competitive auction, in which an opponent interferes at a low level.

The Support Double is generally applied whenever the partner names a new suit and there has been interference by an opponent. In other words, the Support Double normally applies after an opening on the one level has been followed by a suggestion of the partner of a new suit and an overcall or raise by the fourth player. The Support Double may also be applied when there is an immediate overcall, followed by a new suit by the partner of the opening bidder, and even after a low-level raise by the partner of the immediate overcaller.

The difference between a one-level raise or jump raise in the new suit, named by the responder and a Support Double by the opening bidder is the amount of cards for the suit support. The following examples should illustrate this important point in the line of communication.

Support Double

Example 1

1	Pass	1	1
Dbl	Pass	2

In order to indicate a minimum raise which shows only a 3-card support, the opening bidder, South, applies the Support Double. By bidding 2, North shows a 5-card Heart suit, or no other bid available.

Example 2

1	Pass	1	1
2

In this example, South, instead of applying the Support Double, would raise the suit of the partner one level, and this raise shows exactly a 4-card support. (Note: Some partnerships have agreed that this action shows a 4-card plus support.)

This is the difference between a one level raise and the principle of the Support Double. The necessity of this method is apparent in that the opening bidder has no other acceptable rebid with such a card constellation. The opening bidder could have possibly bid 1 No Trump without the interference, but with the interference, the opening bidder would promise a Spade stopper if the opening bidder were to rebid 1 No Trump. If the opening bidder were to rebid 2 Diamonds, then the opening bidder would normally be promising a 6-card Diamond suit. Thirdly, raising the suit of the responder one level with only a 3-card support is not generally acceptable. Thus the Support Double.

Support Redouble

If the interference is not the introduction of a new suit, but instead a double, then the opening bidder applies the Support Redouble. The following example illustrates this principle.

Example 3

1	Pass	1	Dbl
ReDbl	Pass	2

In order to show a 3-card support for the suit of the responder, the opening bidder redoubles after an interference of a double. This is the entire concept of a Support Redouble. Again, if the opening bidder had a 4-card Heart suit, in this example, then the opening bidder would have simply raised the suit of the responder one level. By bidding 2, North shows a 5-card Heart suit, or no other bid available.

Partnership Agreement

The Support Double and the Support Redouble are applied in low-level auctions and many partnership agreements carry the condition that they should not be applied above the two level. Some partnership agreements include the restriction that they may be used only up to and including 2 Hearts. The reason for this limitation by partnership agreement is the fact that a penalty double may become ambiguous and its application place in question. The option of the penalty double may be lost if the partnership agreement includes Support Doubles and Support Redoubles on the three level.

The application of the Support Double in auctions, whereby the partnership is not the opening bidder, is considered acceptable. However, the importance of the value of the overcall becomes the fundamental element in determining the effectiveness of the application of the Support Double. The partnership must take into consideration whether the overcall is an immediate overcall or whether the overcall occurs in Fourth Seat and can be deemed a balancing or competitive call. If this application is included, then there must be a solid partnership agreement.

Whatever the partnership agreement is, it is also important to remember that all subsequent bidding becomes natural according to the individual partnership agreement and the bidding system used.

Additional Support Double Auctions

There are not that many auctions, where a Support Double may be applied, since the opening bidder generally has an acceptable, informative rebid. Other auctions, which include the use of the Support Double and Support Redouble are shown below. Examples are not presented due to the realization that the serious and experienced bridge player will recognize the situation presented by the auction.

In all of the following auctions, the double is a Support Double.

Bidding Sequence 1:

1	1	1	2
Dbl

Bidding Sequence 2:

1	Pass	1	2
Dbl

Bidding Sequence 3:

1	Pass	1	Dbl
ReDbl

Bidding Sequence 4:

1	Pass	1	Dbl
ReDbl

Bidding Sequence 5:

1	Pass	1	1
Dbl

This particular auction, whereby both Minor suits have been bid by the partnership, may also become ambiguous since it is not clear whether the double of the opening bidder signifies a Support Double or a Negative Double showing a 4-card Heart suit. Again, a solid partnership agreement is necessary, especially for this particular bidding sequence.

1	Pass	1	1NT
Dbl

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.