DEPO (Double Even, Pass Odd)

DEPO is the acronym for "Double = Even, Pass = Odd." It's a convention used after partner bids 4NT Blackwood or 4 Gerber, but the next player overcalls (usually in a sacrifice attempt). Using DEPO, responder can make these conventional calls:

Call	Meaning
Double	0, 2 or 4 aces
Pass	1 or 3 aces

If playing Roman Key Card Blackwood, a double would show 0, 2 or 4 keycards, while a pass would promise 1, 3 or 5 keycards.

If partner bids 4NT followed by 5NT, he is making a Blackwood query for kings. All other rebids by partner are natural signoffs.

DEPO responses are vaguer than DOPI, but can be played over a higher level of interference. For example, if the opponents sacrifice at the 6-level, there may be insufficient space to make DOPI responses and still land in a safe contract. DEPO allows you to double or pass without raising the bidding level any higher.

See also ROPI when the opponents double 4NT.