Forum Question 21 – Confusing double led to a bottom – were rules broken?

Confusing double led to a bottom - were rules broken?

This question was asked to: David Stevenson

Question

At our “novice” bridge club I opened 1NT as East , South passed, my partner West bid 2H (transfer), North passed, I bid 2S, South and partner passed. North then doubled, I passed and South bid 3D. Partner and North passed and I bid 3S. I had Ace and King plus one other Spade so was happy to bid 3S. We went down by 3 for a bottom. Afterwards North said his double was for penalties and not for take out. Clearly I would not have bid 3S if I had know North’s double was for penalties. Were any rules broken or were we just unlucky? If rules were broken what should have happened?

Answer

Yes, a rule was broken. When a player doubles a suit bid it is for takeout unless it is alerted. So, since this penalty double was not alerted, the director will adjust the score, probably to 3D making some number of tricks.

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