Bridge For Dummies
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Some bridge opponents don’t like to be doubled — and they can respond by redoubling, telling you that they think you’ve made a colossal mistake by making a penalty double (the nerve of you). One of your opponents can redouble. If three passes follow the redouble, the deal is sealed — the side that made the last bid is playing a redoubled contract.

If the redoubled contract is defeated, the doubling side scores four times their normal score; if the contract is made, the redoubling side gets at least four times their normal score. As a result, redoubled contracts tend to be played very slowly.

The following bidding sequence shows a redouble in action:

South (You) West North (Your Partner) East
1♠ 2♥ 4♠ 5♥
Double Redouble Pass Pass
Pass
Oh, boy! The final contract is 5♥, redoubled. To get to this point, each player’s bid has broadcast some pretty clear messages.
  • When you doubled, you said, “I don’t think you guys can make 5♥.”

  • West’s redouble said, “Oh, yeah? Well, I think that we can, and you are going to pay big time for your double!”

  • Your partner then passed, which told West, “I trust my partner. Go ahead. We want to see you make 5♥.”

  • East is content, in effect saying, “I trust my partner.”

  • Your final pass said, “Okay, bring it on — let’s see who has made the last mistake.”

In addition to the rare redouble that follows a penalty double, bridge features a far more common use of the redouble. It occurs after your partner opens the bidding, the next hand makes a takeout double, and you have 11 HCP or more. This usually spells big trouble for your opponents. An example of this form of redouble appears in the figure below.

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The bidding for this hand may go something like this:

North (Your Partner) East South (You) West
1♥ Double Redouble
What exactly does this bidding sequence say so far?
  • North’s bid says, “I have 12 or more HCP with at least five hearts.”

  • East chimes in with a takeout double, saying, “I also have 11 or more HCP, plus support for the other suits.”

  • You counter with a redouble, saying, “Partner, don’t worry about their takeout double. I have 11 or more HCP, and we have the opponents outgunned point-wise. They could be in heaps of trouble if they don’t have an eight-card fit. After all, they have to bid something, or let you play 1♥ redoubled, which you should make easily. You have hearts, and I have everything else. They may not have a home. Maybe we can lash them with a penalty double when they try to squirm out of this.”

A start like this usually winds up with a happy ending for the opener’s side.

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