Bridge - The Scotsman 07/11/12

We have been looking at strength-showing redoubles, which suggest that you may profitably double opponents if they bid on. There is another type of redouble, the SOS redouble, used when you know your side is in trouble.

This example comes from the annual match between the East of Scotland and the North-East of England. South’s overcall is thin, but many players would make it. When a one-level overcall is passed round to opener he knows that partner must have some values, yet he did not bid. The likely explanation is that he has spades. If you are happy to defend you should re-open with a double, expecting partner to pass as West did here. Not a happy contract! West leads his singleton (with a trump stack, try to organise ruffs). East has three aces to win, giving partner a diamond ruff each time. West can establish a second club trick, and must make at least three more trump for four down.

So North embarks on a rescue mission with a redouble, indicating that he has no support for spades, but can play in any other strain. The subsequent 2D contract is doomed on repeated trump leads, but is likely to escape for two down.

Note that this sort of double occurs only in the pass-out seat: if you pass, you leave partner in a doubled contract. Also, it must be clear that you do not have a strong hand! Here North has shown weakness by passing the one-level overcall.