SOS Redouble

An SOS redouble occurs after your side's contract has been doubled for penalty. A redouble is "SOS", named for the distress calls made by ships at sea. It has the following characteristics:

• Support for at least two of the unbid suits (4+ cards each).
• Lack of support for partner's suit, if he has bid. This typically means a singleton or void.

The redouble demands that partner bid a new suit, as in the following examples.

East 5432 -- JT987 J753

West 1 Pass North Pass Pass (2) East Pass Redbl (3) South Dbl (1) 1. Takeout double 2. Converting the double to penalties 3. SOS redouble, asking partner to bid another suit

East 6 T8753 JT752 54

West 1 Pass North Pass Pass (2) East Pass Redbl (3) South Dbl (1) 1. Takeout double 2. Converting to penalties 3. SOS, planning to correct to 2 if partner bids 2

East 72 T9732 2 J8654

West 2 Pass North Pass Pass (2) East Pass Redbl (3) South 1 Dbl (1) 1. Takeout double 2. Uh-oh 3. SOS

The following example illustrates how opener can make an SOS redouble herself:

East AQ2 J976 AQJ T83

West Pass North Pass (2) East 1 Redbl (3) South Dbl (1) 1. Takeout double 2. Doh 3. A redouble is compelling despite imperfect shape

How high to play SOS redoubles depends on partnership agreement. The SAYC bidding system advises playing SOS redoubles through the 3-level.

Of bigger concern is when to play SOS redoubles. One of the worst things that can happen in an auction is hearing partner pass your SOS redouble. For instance, how about these redoubles?

	West 2 (1) Pass	North 2 Redbl (3)	East Dbl (2)	South Pass
1. Weak two 2. For penalty 3. SOS with 5-4-1-3 or 5-4-0-4 shape? Or for business?
	West 1 Redbl (1)	North 1	East 2	South Dbl
1. SOS? Or showing extra strength or club length?

Whatever you decide, it's a good subject for partnership discussion. Some possible conditions when SOS redoubles are "off":

• You've been doubled in a known 8-card fit or longer. For example, the auction has begun 1 : 3.

• You've been doubled in a no-trump contract. Redouble may be a conventional runout (example: Touching Escapes), or it may simply be for business.

Happy hunting!