The DONT Convention

The DONT convention in bridge, short for Disturbing Opponents' Notrump, was devised by Marty Bergen as a defense built for competing. Against a strong 15 to 17 point 1NT, a penalty double rarely pays, because the opener has most of the strength and usually takes seven tricks. What does pay is getting into the auction cheaply, finding a fit and pushing the opponents out of their comfortable 1NT or into a guess at the three level. DONT gives up the penalty double entirely. In exchange, the other two-level overcalls can show two-suited hands, and partner always has a safe place to land.

Every call over 1NT shows the suit bid plus a higher-ranking suit, except the double, which shows a single long suit, and 2♠, which shows spades alone.

The two-suiters should be at least 5-4 in either order. The one-suiter should be a six-card suit, or a very good five. Strength is shape-based. DONT exists to compete, not to promise a good hand.

Advancer's job is to find the fit as cheaply as possible. With support for the suit bid, advancer passes. Without it, advancer bids the next suit up, which asks the overcaller to pass with that suit or bid the second suit.

After the double, advancer almost always bids 2♣, and the overcaller passes with clubs or bids the long suit. When the overcaller doubles and then bids 2♠, the hand is a decent one, and the direct 2♠ is weaker and more preemptive. Advancer with a long suit of their own and no interest in partner's can bid it, natural and to play, but this is rare.

Now give South ♠63 ♥A2 ♦KQJT75 ♣854, 10 points and a one-suiter in diamonds. South doubles. North bids 2♣ as the relay, and South corrects to 2♦, which North passes.

• Forgetting that the double is not for penalty. A player who doubles 1NT holding 17 balanced points will hear partner relay to 2♣ and have no long suit to name. If your partnership plays DONT, pass with a strong balanced hand and defend.
• Passing with a misfit. With a doubleton or worse in the first suit, bid the next suit up and let partner name the second suit. The second suit is often the better fit.
• Bidding too much with a fit. DONT overcalls are often light. Advancer with a fit and an invitational hand can raise to the three level. On less, pass and let the opponents decide.
• Overcalling with weak suits. The shape is what makes DONT safe. A 5-4 hand whose suits are ♣86432 and ♥9532 is a pass, even with 10 points.
• Vulnerability. Not vulnerable, compete freely on shape. Vulnerable, be a little more careful, since a doubled two-level contract down two costs 500.

Many pairs play DONT only against a strong notrump and keep a penalty double against a weak one, where it earns more. Meckwell, named after Jeff Meckstroth and Eric Rodwell, is a close relative: the double shows a long minor or both majors, 2♣ and 2♦ show that minor and a major, and 2♥ and 2♠ are natural. Among the other defenses, Cappelletti keeps the penalty double and shows majors with 2♦, while Landy uses 2♣ for both majors and leaves the rest natural. Whichever you choose, the opponents will have their own counter, often Lebensohl or a double meaning values. A full list of the popular defenses is on the bridge conventions page.

What is the DONT convention in bridge?

DONT is Marty Bergen's defense to an opponent's 1NT opening, aimed at competing on as many hands as possible. The name stands for Disturbing Opponents' Notrump. A double shows one long suit, 2♠ shows spades alone, and the other two-level bids show the suit bid plus a higher-ranking suit.

What does a double mean in DONT?

It shows a one-suited hand. Advancer normally bids 2♣, and the doubler passes with clubs or bids the real suit.

What does 2♥ show in DONT?

Both majors, at least 5-4. Advancer passes with hearts or bids 2♠ with better spades.

Can you make a penalty double when playing DONT?

No. The double is used for one-suited hands, so a strong balanced hand passes and defends against 1NT.

Is DONT better than Cappelletti?

DONT is better at competing against a strong notrump, since every two-suiter can bid at once. Cappelletti keeps the penalty double, which is worth more against a weak notrump.