Work in progress
NOT YET UPDATED FROM SAYC NOTES
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If the opponents double, all conventional responses are "on." For example:
| 1NT | (Dbl) | 2♣ | Stayman | |
| 2♦ | Transfer to hearts |
If the opponents bid over your 1NT opener, Stayman and transfers are "off." Bids are natural except for a cuebid, which can be used with game force strength as a substitute for Stayman.
The traditional style is to double for penalties over the opponent's overcall. However the modern style is to use more and more competitive doubles. In this style a double is 'negative' or for takeout and asks partner to bid. Negative doubles can be used like Stayman to find a 4-4 major suit fit with a wider range of hands than a cue-bid. It is important for a partnership to agree whether to play negative or penalty doubles after their 1NT opening. When the overcall is artificial - it does not show the suit bid - then double should just show some points in a hand with no clear alternative bid. This invites cooperation from the 1NT opener in competing or penalizing the opponents. A subsequent double by either player is normally played as penalties.
It is also important to decide on the meaning of a competitive bid in a simple new suit at the three-level. It is possible to play a new suit as competitive, invitational or forcing. Many players solve this problem with the use of the Lebensohl convention. Playing Lebensohl a new suit at the three-level is forcing. With a weaker hand responder bids 2NT conventionally which forces the opener to bid 3♣ and responder either passes with clubs or corrects to a different long suit with a weak hand.
Lebensohl is an optional convention and there are many variations and extensions.
It is also important to decide on the meaning of a competitive bid in a simple new suit at the three-level. It is possible to play a new suit as competitive, invitational or forcing. Many players solve this problem with the use of the Lebensohl convention. Playing Lebensohl a new suit at the three-level is forcing. With a weaker hand responder bids 2NT conventionally which forces the opener to bid 3♣ and responder either passes with clubs or corrects to a different long suit with a weak hand.
| 1NT | (2♠) | 2NT | Pass | 2NT is Lebensohl |
| 3♣ | Pass | 3♦ | 3♣ is forced and 3♦ shows a weak hand with long diamonds |
If Jacoby transfer is doubled, opener may pass, XX to show strong holding in doubled suit, complete transfer to show 3+ trumps, or jump to 3 of suit. If opener passes or XX, responder may make normal bid, XX or pass to play, or bid 2 of major to signoff.
If transfer is overcalled, opener may bid 3 of major only with good supporting hand, X for penalty, or pass. If opener passes, responder may make normal bid, X to show strength, or pass.
If Stayman is doubled, opener may make normal rebid, pass with 4 clubs, or redouble with 5 clubs or 4 good clubs. If Stayman is overcalled, opener may bid a 4 card major at the 2 two-level, double for penalty with 4 cards in the opponent's suit, or pass. In any event, responder may continue with a normal rebid or double for penalty.
