Penalty Double 1NT Std : Bridge Online
| ♠ KQJT9 | ||
| ♥ Q74 | ||
| ♦ AQ | ||
| ♣ AT3 |
| East | South | West | North | |
| 1NT | X | P | P | |
| P |
Doubles of notrump contracts are penalty doubles. They promise a hand which is stronger than the notrump bid. If East opens a weak notrump, as has happened here, South's double promises at least 16 HCP.
| ♠ 876 | ||
| ♥ J532 | ||
| ♦ 975 | ||
| ♣ K65 | ||
| ♠ 532 | ♠ A4 | |
| ♥ 96 | ♥ AKT8 | |
| ♦ J642 | ♦ KT83 | |
| ♣ QJ84 | ♣ 972 | |
| ♠ KQJT9 | ||
| ♥ Q74 | ||
| ♦ AQ | ||
| ♣ AT3 |
South with this strong hand should not bid, but double for penalties instead. 2 down doubled gets NS 300 instead of 140 for making 3♠. 3 down would be a 500 bonus.
Responding to Double of 1NT
If partner doubles 1NT, you should leave it in. The stronger you are, the more tricks you will take for the defence and the less tempted you should be to bid. In fact, even if you are weak, you should pass because there is no guarantee that you can make anything.