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SUPERWRIGGLE provides a method for escaping from 1N, doubled. (Although the author is not aware of it, Superwriggle may already exist under another name). After a penalty double, just trying to escape may make the opponents abandon the pursuit of penalties in favour of their own contract.

(In the following text,

bold type relates to the

1N bidder).

There are three cases where the opponent's double of 1N is for penalties ~

1. A 1N opening is doubled by Opener's left hand opponent (over).

2. A 1N overcall is doubled by Overcaller's left hand opponent (over).

3. A 1N opening is doubled by Opener's right hand opponent

(under & unpassed).

(A double in fourth position can be other than for penalties - ask!).

In cases 1 & 2,

the doubler is over the 1N bid. Superwriggle allows partner three possible bids to initiate the escape process ~

1. PASS

- Shows either 4333 shape or (rarely!) a wish to play in 1N**.

2. XX

- Shows an unknown 5-card suit, and a wish to escape from

1N*.

- Shows a 2-suited hand with suit x and a higher suit, at least 4-4,

wishing to escape 1N*.

(Partner also bids 2x if 3-suited, 4441 or 5440).

1. After 1N-X-PASS-PASS, partner is almost certainly 4333. The 1N bidder redoubles. If partner wants to play in 1N** (!), he passes. Otherwise, he bids 2C. With 4+ Clubs, the 1N bidder passes but, with less than 4 Clubs, he bids a 4+ suit, ensuring a 4-3 or a 4-4 fit (perhaps 5-3 or 5-4, if Diamonds).

2. After 1N-X-XX-PASS, the 1N bidder has a choice. He may make a puppet bid of 2C seeking partner's 5-card suit or, if maximum and feeling lucky, he may pass the redouble. This may put the doubler under pressure and lead him to bid again. However, it is fraught as, even with fair values in responder's hand, the doubler may have a long suit to run. After a puppet 2C, with 5+ Clubs, partner passes. Otherwise, he bids his 5+ suit, to play. (If the 1N bidder has 5 Diamonds he must still bid 2C, even if Clubs is a doubleton).

3. After 1N-X-2x-Pass, the 1N bidder knows partner has 4+ cards in suit x, and another, higher-ranking 4+ suit. With a 4-card fit for suit x, the 1N bidder passes. With a 3-card fit for suit x and a doubleton of higher rank, he dare not risk a 4-2 fit, so he accepts the current 4-3 fit, i.e. the 1N bidder passes. If the 1N bidder has a doubleton in partner's suit x, he bids the next-suit-up, (even if it's only 3 cards), seeking partner's second suit.

If the next-suit-up is partner's second suit, he passes. Otherwise, partner bids his second suit, to play. This assures a 4-3 fit or better. If partner's initial bid is 2D (showing Diamonds and a major) and the 1N bidder is 4-4 in the majors, he bids 2H. A 4-4 fit in a major is guaranteed.

In case 3,

i.e. 1N-PASS-PASS-X, a 1N opening bid is doubled by Opener's right-hand opponent, for penalties. Doubler, who is under the Opener, is rarely a passed hand. The escape methods are almost exactly the same as above. However, the roles of the 1N Opener and his partner are virtually reversed.

Now, the 1N Opener's possible first rebids are ~

1. Pass - Opener is 4333 shape. Partner bids the suit he prefers for a 4-3 fit, or better. It's possible, but unlikely, for partner to pass 1N*. Before doing so, he must ask the meaning of the double - it may be a request for a killing lead.

2. XX - Opener has an unknown 5-card suit, almost invariably Clubs or Diamonds. Partner will expect Opener to be 5332, and he will usually respond with a puppet bid of 2C which Opener may pass or convert to 2D. On occasion, partner may have good reason to bid a 5+ suit of his own, ignoring the usual 2C response. (The double occurred after he had passed). There must be a 5-2 fit, or better, for partner's suit, so Opener must pass. It's possible, but dangerous, for partner to pass 1N**. Again, he must ask the meaning of the opponent's double.

3. 2x - Opener has two 4-card suits, i.e. suit x and a higher-ranking suit. If partner has a 4+ fit for suit x, he passes. If partner has 3 cards in suit x but has a doubleton or less in a suit of higher rank, he cannot risk a misfit, so he must accept the 4-3 fit, i.e. partner passes. If partner has 3 cards in Opener's suit x, but all his higher ranking suits have 3+ cards, he may choose to bid the next-suit-up, seeking Opener's second suit. If the next-suit-up is Opener's second suit, Opener passes. Otherwise, Opener bids his second suit, to play. If, over RHO's double, Opener's first rebid is 2D, (Diamonds and a major) and partner is 4-4 in the majors, then partner bids 2H. A 4-4 fit in a major is guaranteed. If partner's holding cannot provide even a 4-3 fit, he must have a 5+ suit of his own, which he may choose to bid to play, even at the 3-level.