Presented by  -  Mike Savage

This convention is a defensive bid after the opponents have opened 1NT. It can be used over strong 1NT and over weak 1NT where leaving in your partner’s Dbl might be very profitable.

1NT Dbl = Over a strong 1NT, this is for penalty. Classically, it is based on a good,

long suit to lead, usually with controls in at least two other suits. When you

have a hand with15-18 HCP with no long suit, some players might choose

to double. However, most top players will pick Pass as their bid of choice

unless they have 19/20+ HCP and have a partner they can trust to pass their

double even when he may have zero HCP. Over a weak 1NT (top of their range

is 14 HCP or less), Dbl normally shows 14/15+ HCP and is usually balanced.

2C = Shows a 1-suited hand. Partner is expected to bid 2D unless he has a very

good heart or spade suit of his own. In that case, he may bid his own suit.

2D = Forced response, allowing partner to show his suit at the lowest level.

Pass = Diamonds is his suit.

2H or 2S = This is his suit.

3C = This is his suit and shows a better hand than an immediate 3C.

After partner has shown a 1-suiter and the next hand bids at the 2-level,

Dbl by you shows a good offensive hand with support for the unbid suits.

2D = Shows both majors; usually will be 5-5 but might be 5-4 with good suits.

2H = Shows hearts and a minor; should be 5-5 but just could be 5-4 with 5 hearts.

2NT = Asks which minor. Over the minor response, if responder returns to hearts, that shows a fit in hearts and responder had some game interest.

2S = Shows spades and a minor; should be 5-5 but just could be 5-4 with 5 spades.

2NT = Responses are the same as over 2NT above but with a spade fit.

2NT = Shows clubs and diamonds with at least 5-5 and good suits.

My Recommended Positional Variation of the meanings of Dbl and 2C.

When you are a passed hand and the bidding goes P (you) 1NT-P-P to you, or P (you) P-P 1NT, how could you have a penalty double? Also, if your first-seat opponent opens a strong 1NT and it goes pass-pass to you, how often would you really want to double for penalties? No matter how many HCP you might have, the strong no-trump opener sits behind you and your partner wouldn’t know what suit to lead.

So, give up the penalty double in the pass-out seat after a strong 1NT, or always by a passed hand, and use it to show the 1-suited hand. This also frees up 2C to show both minors (instead of having to bid 2NT & risk the 3-level). The other Hamilton/Cappelletti bids would stay the same, allowing all balancing bids to occur at the 2-level. In the pass-out seat over a weak 1NT, Dbl = the top of their range or more, often balanced, and 2C still shows a 1-suiter.

By a passed hand or in the pass-out seat after a strong 1NT opening:

Dbl = Shows a 1-suited hand and forces partner to bid 2C.

2D = Shows the majors (no change).

2H = Shows hearts and a minor (no change).

2S = Shows spades and a minor (no change).