Conventions: The Thrump Double By Marty Bergen

Source: www.bridgeguys.com

Instead of describing the thrump double, the decision was made to quote the author. The following description is by Mr. Marty Bergen, (website), who invented and devised the thrump double and its application. In case the visitor or bridge student would like to contact Mr. Marty Bergen, he/she can do so by visiting his website.

Thrump doubles, as described here, were invented by yours truly. While they certainly are different, experience has shown that they are essential at the three level.

What is a thrump double and why do we need them? The discussion of the bidding on this hand will clue you in.

	Q7
	Q2
	1087
	AKQJ75

Once your partner has opened the bidding, you are thinking about 3 No Trump. In fact, I will bet that is the case regardless of which suit your partner opened. You will show your Club and points and hope partner bids No trump sooner or later.

Nice plan. Now suppose that your RHO jumps to 3, 3, or 3 before you are able to make your first bid. Are you going to give up on the 3 No Trump contract you were heading for? If you make the normal 4 bid, do you expect partner to provide the five tricks you will need to bring home 5?

What is my suggestion? Make a negative double. However, instead of defining it as looking for the unbid Major(s), think of it as looking for THRee notrUMP. On most hands where partner has a stopper in the opponent’s suit, you would like him to bid 3 No Trump.

When is this needed? When the enemy’s natural jump overcall reaches 3, we cannot necessarily show our suit without going past 3 No Trump. Here are the 10 auctions where the opponent has made a natural, preemptive jump overcall above 3 and below 3 No Trump.

Opener		Opponent		Opener		Opponent		Opener		Opponent
1		3		1		3		1		3
1		3		1		3		1		3
1		3		1		3		1		3
1		3

Must you have a solid suit? Absolutely not. A Thrump Double would be totally appropriate after 1 – (3) with:

864 65 AQ754 AQ2

93 K7 KQ10865 KQ8

63 A2 852 AK10854

Now you are the responder after 1 – 3.

	K3
	84
	AKQJ5
	J753

Double, hoping that partner bids 3 No Trump.

	KQ863
	KQ2
	K7
	985

Forget your Spades. You have Hearts stopped, so bid 3 No Trump.

	AK
	A64
	AK83
	J852

Once in a blue moon you will have a great hand with a stopper in the opponent’s suit. In that case, you can start with a Negative Double and then explore for slam.

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