Against suit contracts

AK            AKx            KQ10            KQx            KJ10

K109        QJ10           QJx               J10x           10xx

109x         987x          10xxx           Hxxxx          Hxxxxx

Hxxx         Hxx            xx                xxx              xxxx

Against NT contracts

AKx(x)      AJ10x         KQ10            KQx             KJ10

K109         QJ10          QJx               J10x            10xx

10xxx        109x          987x             Hxx             Hxxxxx

Hxxxx        Hxxx          xx                xxx              xxxx

This is useful when the opponent's overcall has used up your bidding space and prevented you from describing your hand.

1C, (1S), X is the same as a 1H bid 6+ pts and 4+ Hs

1C, (1D), X is 1H and 1S, ie. 6+ pt and 4+ Hs and 4+ Ss

1H, (1S), X is 1C and 1D, ie. 6+ pts and 4+ Cs and 4+ Ds

1S, (2D), X is 1H and 6+ pts and 4+ Hs (not strong enough to bid 2H)

1C, (1H), X is 6+ pts and exactly 4 spades. Bid 1S with 5 spades.

In all these cases the double denies the ability to make a natural bid.

You can agree with partner to play negative doubles at a higher level.

* at the 1 level 6 points +

* at the 2 level 8/9 points +

* at the 3 level 10 points +

* In response to your partner's take out double of a Weak 2, if you bid 2NT, you tell your partner that you hold a minimum response.

* Over your 2NT, the doubler is forced to bid 3C. If this is your suit, you just pass. If it is not, you then bid your own suit at the 3 level and you partner knows you have a poor hand.

* If you do not bid the Lebensohl 2NT, but respond at the 3 level, this shows that you have a decent hand with values to bid at the 3 level, usually about 8 -11 points.

* This means that you cannot bid 2NT to play. 2NT is almost never the right contract. If you think NTs is the right bid then bid 3NT immediately.