Juxtaposed: Negative vs Responsive Doubles

Definitions:

Negative Double: Showing other suits (mostly major) after partner has opened and rho has overcalled

Responsive Double: Showing other suits after partner has overcalled and the opponents have bid and raised their suit

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The bridge Gods have given you the following tickets. Axxx,xx,KJxx,xxx . Picture it!

What do you do when the bidding has gone 1C by pard, 1H on your right? (negative double position)

What do you do when the bidding has gone 1C by lho, 1H by pard and 2C on your right? (responsive double position)

The basic question I wanted to ponder in this piece is -- are the qualifications for negative doubles vs responsive doubles the same? Both these double sequences show "remaining suits" i.e. they are TO in nature, not penalty. Since virtually everyone would make a negative double with the above hand, is it appropriate to make a responsive double with this hand?

I'll tell you what happens if you do! Pard bids his/her three card diamond suit and there you are -- cold zero. You should be in 2H, your 5/2 fit.

Why do we have different specifications in neg double situations as opposed to responsive double situatations, i.e. a lot more distribution with responsive doubles or compensating high card values for the (missing) fifth card(s)? The perfect responsive double would look more like this: Axxxx,xx,KJxxx,x.

Here are two good reasons we have different specifications for the two positions!

1) You are not as eager to find subsequent fits with responsive X's as you are with plain old negative doubles since pard by virtue of overcalling has announced a relatively good suit. Imagine what a 1D opening call could look like. xxx? Would anyone ever overcall on such a suit? If my pard has overcalled a heart he/she ranks to have five with some good ones!

2) In the responsive double postion, you are in a overcall competitive situation which are non forcing constructive. In the negative double position you can go ahead an establish a one round force with a direct bid of your four/five card suit.

Example: 1C (1H) 1S forcing
1C (1H) 2C (2D) non-forcing

In other words, if you've got two suits, perhaps you ought to make a direct bid in the negative double situation forcing the auction until you get a second chance, whereas in the responsive double position you need to get both suits in with one bid for fear of getting passed since bidding a new suit is non-forcing.

Hope this helps you structure up your bidding somewhat and pard is not wondering why you are offering up such meager hcp and suits when you make a responsive double with the above hand, although he/she would eagerly anticipate a negative double with the same hand! Also remember whereas negative doubles concentrates on "the other major", responsive doubles always promises the unbid suits!

I'd be happy to answer any questions.