Modified DONT

The original concept was devised by Mr. Marty Bergen and published by Mr. Larry Cohen. The original designation for this conventional defense method is Bergen Over No Trump, but the designation change has been accepted into the language of the bridge community as simply D.O.N.T., which is an abbreviation for Disturbing Opponent's No Trump.

As with all popular concepts of devised defense methods, this concept has also been altered, varied, modified, and revised to meet the needs of individual partnerships.

One such variation follows and is generally designated as Modified DONT. The origin is unknown. Source is: David Stevenson. Website. Compare with the original version of D.O.N.T. (Note: Mr. David Stevenson is a Committee Member of the English Bridge Union in the United Kingdom.

Opponent		Overcaller		Meaning
1 NT				Generally announced as 15-17/18 points.
		Double		Promises a single suit in Clubs or Diamonds or Hearts or Spades.
		2		Shows Clubs and an unspecified Major suit.
		2		Shows Diamonds and an unspecified Major suit.
		2		Shows both Major suits, Hearts and Spades.
		2		Shows a single-suit in Spades.
		2 NT		Shows both Minor suits, Clubs and Diamonds

In this modified version of the concept the action of first doubling and then rebidding Spades does not indicate a stronger holding in Spades. Also, the addition of the 2 No Trump overcall showing distribution in both both Minor suits has been added. This overcall can be based on the Losing Trick Count method or distributional count. By employing the method of losing tricks, then the maximum number of losing tricks by favorable vulnerability should total a maximum of 8, whereas by unfavorable vulnerability the number of losing tricks should total a maximum of 7 losing tricks.

Responses by Advance

The responses of the advancer and the rebids of the overcaller are generally an agreement of the partnership. These may depend on the state of vulnerability, the number of Losing Tricks, the actual location of working values, and/or the range of the No Trump opening or a combination thereof. Jump responses may indicate a stronger holding and jump rebids may indicate a longer than required suit. The idle bid of 2 No Trump may also be employed by the advancer to impart certain information when the overcall has been either a double or a suit bid.

 

 

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.