Support double

rdf:langString Support double

rdf:langString The support double is a bridge convention used to distinguish between three-card and four-card support for partner's suit response to one's opening bid in the scenario where his response is either overcalled or doubled by the opponents. A call of two in partner's suit indicates four-card support and a call of double promises three-card support; if partner's suit bid is doubled instead of overcalled, a redouble serves the same meaning as double. The convention was invented by Eric Rodwell in 1974. For example, after1♦ - (Pass) - 1♥ - (1♠) * Double shows three-card heart support * 2♥ shows four-card heart support * Pass or other bids: fewer than three hearts A support redouble applies when Right Hand Opponent makes a take-out double of the response of one of a major:1♦ - (Pass) - 1♠ - (Double) * Redouble: three-card spade support * 2♠ shows four-card spade support * Pass or other bids: fewer than three spades The convention came as result of the scenario where in competitive auctions, the opening bidder would like to show his minimal three-card support for partner's suit on the possibility that partner has five or more cards in it. However, there would be a risk of a 4-3 fit, known as a Moysian fit which does not play as well as eight-card fits. Since the need to distinguish between three- and four-card support occurs more frequently than those cases where the opening bidder would like to make a penalty double over the opponent's one-level overcall, the meaning of the double (and redouble) was modified to convey the conventional meaning of three-card support.