Doubles, Maximal double
Competing: how to distinguish "Invite to Game" from "Sign off"
When the bidding space has run out in a competitive auction, a Maximal Double allows you to keep bidding and distinguish your inner meanings!
South West North East
1 - 2 - 2 - 3
If South now bids 3, would it mean sign off in 3 Spades, or invite to Game? And how can South adjust his bidding to differentiate between these options ?
Bring on the Maximal double
In this situation, a double from South means "I want to carry on bidding", and is thus an invitation to 4. A bid of 3 is thus sign off in 3.
Here's another example:
South West North East
1 - X - pass - 2
X - pass - 2
South's cards
A 9 5
K Q J 8
A 2
Q 9 7 6
South can show additional strength or values with the Maximal Double, but without showing additional length in Hearts as would be implied by a Heart rebid. North may then support opener's suit with an absolute minimum of 3 cards and 4/5 points.
Now try the quiz
Can you put all this into action ? Try the quiz for this subject by clicking on the link at the top left of the page, just below the main menu.
(You can try quizzes for any other subjects too while you're there. Look out for the thin red line).