Gates Double

The Gates double is an extension of any conventional no-trump defense like Astro or Cappelletti that uses a penalty double. The Gates double is used by a passed hand that cannot possibly have the strength to make a natural penalty double.

West	North	East	South
Pass Dbl (1)	Pass	Pass	1NT
(1) Gates double

The meaning of the Gates double is up to partnership agreement. The following examples use Cappelletti as the context for doubling. You can of course tailor the meaning depending on your preferred 1NT defense.

Double can show a single-suited club hand, asking partner to bid 2. You can then simply pass.

		West			East
		QJ			K872
		T76			943
		T3			KQJ2
		AK9832			T4
		West     Pass Dbl (1)		North     Pass Pass	East     Pass 2 (2)	South     1NT All Pass

1. Gates double, showing clubs
2. Completing the relay

The alternative to doubling would be a 2 overcall (playing Cappelletti) to indicate a one-suiter. That would require rebidding 3 over partner's 2 relay, thereby pushing the contract one level higher.

Alternatively, double can show a weak minor-suited hand, since a 2NT overcall promises at least 5-5 in the minors and forces the bidding to the 3-level. A Gates double could be made with lesser distribution or strength.

		West			East
		62			KQJ7
		98			A543
		QT743			65
		AKJ9			842
		West     Pass Dbl (1)		North     Pass Pass	East     Pass 2 (2)	South     1NT All Pass

1. Gates double, showing 5-4 or 4-5 minors
2. Taking a preference

Depending how frisky you feel, you can double with hands like this and reserve 2NT for better hands. It won't always work, but it's an option.

Lastly, double could show both majors, with longer spades than hearts. Playing standard Cappelletti, a hand with both majors is shown via a 2 overcall. If partner then corrects to 2 with equal length in both majors (e.g. 3-3), then the better spade fit is missed whenever overcaller is 5-4. For example:

		West			East
		AQT53			872
		KJT9			754
		5			A987
		972			KQ6
		West     Pass Dbl (1)		North     Pass Pass	East     Pass 2 (2)	South     1NT All Pass

1. Gates double, showing 5-4 majors
2. Knowing to bid spades instead of hearts

Without the Gates convention, West would be forced to bid 2 (Cappelletti) showing both majors. East would then correct to hearts and commit to the wrong major.