[strong 1c]

I have never used support doubles but thinking I should. I For purposes of this question, I define a support double as: you have opened 1D, LHO has passed, Partner has bid 1M and RHO makes a natural overcall less than 2NT Some examples: 1D -(P) -1H -(1S)-? or 1D -(P) -1S -(2C)-? or 1H -(P) -1S -(2D -?

Using support doubles, A double shows 3 card support. If opener makes any bid besides pass or a raise, then he is denying 3 card Major support.

For us, if bidding went 1D -(P) -1H -(1S)- then opener's 2nd bid would be
1NT shows NT shape, a stop and denies 3 card support
2C would show 54 in the minors (possibly 6 diamonds and 4 clubs), denies 3 card support
2D would show long diamonds, denies 3 card support
2H shows 4 card support with NT shape
3H seems like a rare bid with support and 5332 shape
2S would be undefined - do you define it ?

Suppose, however, that you do have 3 card support. Now your choices are to either pass or double. I'm trying to figure out a 'rule' or guidelines where you should pass vs where you should double, recognizing that your partner may only have a 4- card suit and only 6 HCP.

Is the rule as simple as, I am willing to play 2 of your majors with a 7-card fit, even if you are at a minimum? (I can see that there may be times when Opener may want to do a trap pass even if he has 3 of partner's Major)

I definitely welcome any comments.

[mike777]

There is so much more to support doubles and options to choose from. You might look online or buy a book or pamphlet on them.

You are right in that you need to decide if they are virtually mandatory or not in your style. There is disagreement..

[strong 1c]

mike777, on 2026-October-10, 05:40, said:

There is so much more to support doubles and options to choose from. You might look online or buy a book or pamphlet on them.

You are right in that you need to decide if they are virtually mandatory or not in your style. There is disagreement..

Thanks! and yes, that is precisely the question I am looking to see comments on. I think the nuances and options you mention are likely talking about are on responders' rebids, and not so much on opener's choices which are pretty straight forward when he has 3 card support: He can either (trap) pass or double.

Putting a trap pass aside, can you give any insight beyond my thinking: double if willing to play 2M with 7-card fit? Do you play precision with support doubles?

SO far, the online stuff I see are written for people who play 2 over 1 or Standard American

[awm]

I normally play takeout doubles in these situations, so in addition to (normally) three card support, double shows 0-2 cards in overcaller’s suit and 3+ in the unbid suit (and in diamonds). This makes it much easier for responder to find our fit in cases where the 4-3 will not be best, and also makes sure we let the opponents play in their overcall suit when we have a lot of trumps.

Of course, this works better when we can rule out the diamond one suited hand (which opens 2♦ in my style) but I play this way even in a natural/better minor system. A big part of the advantage is simply knowing what’s forcing — a surprising number of support double players don’t seem to know whether a bid other than his major is even forcing by responder after the support double.

[strong 1c]

awm, on 2026-October-10, 07:58, said:

I normally play takeout doubles in these situations, so in addition to (normally) three card support, double shows 0-2 cards in overcaller’s suit and 3+ in the unbid suit (and in diamonds). This makes it much easier for responder to find our fit in cases where the 4-3 will not be best, and also makes sure we let the opponents play in their overcall suit when we have a lot of trumps.

Of course, this works better when we can rule out the diamond one suited hand (which opens 2♦ in my style) but I play this way even in a natural/better minor system. A big part of the advantage is simply knowing what’s forcing — a surprising number of support double players don’t seem to know whether a bid other than his major is even forcing by responder after the support double.

I probably have several questions I could and may ask, but start with my first 2 questions. When you open a (your) precision diamond, when would you pass if bidding went 1D -(P) -1H - (1S) and you hold 3 Hearts and my 2nd question is, if you make a non-heart bid did you just deny 3 hearts ?

[awm]

 strong 1c, on 2026-October-10, 09:31, said:

I probably have several questions I could and may ask, but start with my first 2 questions. When you open a (your) precision diamond, when would you pass if bidding went 1D -(P) -1H - (1S) and you hold 3 Hearts and my 2nd question is, if you make a non-heart bid did you just deny 3 hearts ?

I would pass if holding 3+♠. Bidding 2♣ denies three hearts by inference (since 9 cards in the minors + 3♥ means short spades). My 1♦ doesn’t include one suited diamonds so I don’t have to worry about this hand type. A 1nt rebid could include three hearts though (especially 4333).