Defense Method Against DONT

The original concept of D.O.N.T. (Disturbing Opponent's No Trump) was devised by Mr. Marty Bergen and published by Mr. Larry Cohen. The original convention is sometimes referred to as Bergen Over No Trump, but has been accepted into the language of the bridge community as simply D.O.N.T. As with all defense mechanism concepts, this concept has also been altered, varied, modified, and revised to meet the needs of individual partnerships.

Note: The origin of this defense method is unknown. Any contribution regarding clarification would be greatly appreciated.

However, the partner of the opener or No Trump bidder has an opportunity to counter-act the effects of the D.O.N.T. interference. Such guidelines for the responder are shown below. These guidelines are only suggestions as a defense method against a D.O.N.T. interference of a double, not for a suit overcall.

n the case of an interference of a double by the immediate opponent, then the partner of the No Trump bidder can take a D.O.N.T.-style action when holding appropriate values and shape. It is necessary that the partnership should adopt certain guidelines to defend against interference by the opponents and the following is only a suggestion of one possible defense method.

The range of the No Trump opening may or may not become a factor for some partnership agreements, but for all intents and purposes these guidelines may be altered to meet the requirements of any No Trump range, either strong or weak. The partnership would also be well advised to inquire as to the nature of the double and discover as much information as possible before executing any defense method. By knowing the strategy of the defenders one can become better prepared to meet it.

Opener	Overcaller	Responder		Meaning
1 NT	Double			This particular double by the immediate opponent is D.O.N.T.-oriented. Whether or not the following guidelines may be used against other defense methods, which include the call of a double, remains a decision of the partnership.
		Redouble		Promises a one-suited holding. (Note: If the No Trump range is weak, then the No Trump bidder should first respond with 2. The responder can then pass if the suit is Clubs or correct.)
		2		Shows Clubs and an unknown higher-ranking suit.
		2		Shows Diamonds and an unknown higher-ranking suit.
		2		Shows both Major suits. It is possible that Spades is the stronger suit, but the holding does not allow the responder to first bid 2.
		2		Shows a single-suiter in Spades. Whether or not a first response of redouble and then a correction to Spades shows a stronger holding or a weaker holding, as opposed to bidding 2 directly, is a decision of the partnership.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.