Penalty Doubles in Bridge
Play through the hand featured in the video:
Penalty Doubles
Double has two meanings, take-out and penalty. Below is the criteria to tell you which is which:
- If partner has passed or not yet bid, then double is for take-out
- If partner has bid (ie 1♥ ) then double is for penalties
Double of an Opening Bid of 1NT
However there is one exception to the above and that is if a player opens 1NT. Then a double by either overcaller is for penalties. To double a 1NT opening bid you need:
- 16+ points
- Any shape
As this is a penalty double, partner will pass and you will most often collect a handsome penalty.
The Penalty Double of a Suit Bid
When partner has made a positive bid (ie 1♥), an opponent has overcalled and you double, then this is a penalty double and partner should pass. Make a penalty double if:
- You think the opponents have overbid or stolen your contract
- You have honours and length in the opponents suit (and good points) and think you could defeat their contract by at least two tricks
- An opponent opens 1NT (you would need 16+ points)