Support Double and Support Redouble

A double by opener in his 2^nd bid after the responder has bid a new suit and advancer intercepts the bid with his own, shows 3 card support to responding partner’s new suit bid. It is one round forcing.

West	North	East	South
1!c	Pass	1!h	1!s
Double

In the above situation if the opener has 3 cards of !h it can no way show, naturally and will end up biding 1NT to show defence capability against 1!s of advancer.

A DOUBLE bid at this stage, called Support Double, shows 3 cards of partner’s 1!h.

For Support Double to be effective keep in mind the following:

• There is no points requirement. But most of the times the opener will have 12+ Points as he has initiated the auction by bidding first.
• Support Double should be used only for the MAJORS.
• Remember Cue Bid is invitation but Support Double is not. It shows only 3+ card support
• It is generally mandatory to bid Support Double when the opener has 3 card support to his responding partner. It is opener’s first choice rather than going for NT.
• Support Double is bid only when opener bids at level 1 and responder bids a new suit. DO NOT double when any of the bid is 1NT.
• You can Double till responder’s next bid can be at level 2. In a situation where partner’s next bid is not a jump due to interference. In the above example if the advancer had bid 2!s, you can’t support double to show 3 card support to 1!h as he will have to force bid 3!h
• Whenever advancer’s intercepting bid is a DOUBLE, you can REDOUBLE to show 3 card support.