Practice on Cuebids
Start hands from the 1NT Defence Deal Type, where the opponents open 1NT and you can practice DONT or other notrump-defense agreements.
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Systems
Last updated
2026-07-17
What is DONT?
DONT is a conventional defense after the opponents open 1NT. It is designed to compete frequently with shapely hands while keeping the partnership low enough to escape into a playable suit.
The core idea is that double starts a one-suited route, while direct two-level suit bids show that suit plus a higher-ranking suit. This gives the overcalling side many ways to show shape at the two level.
One-suited hand starts with double
- Double is artificial in DONT and shows an unspecified one-suiter.
- Advancer usually bids 2, after which doubler names the suit or passes with clubs.
Clubs and a higher suit
- 2 shows clubs plus another higher-ranking suit.
- Partner can pass with club tolerance or use pass-or-correct methods.
Common call structure
DONT methods vary, but the common structure keeps every direct two-level bid shape-oriented. Advancer should know when to pass, when to correct, and when to invite.
Two-suited bids usually promise at least 5-4 either way. The bids can be light: with good shape, many pairs act on roughly 8 points at favorable vulnerability, and even less in the balancing seat.
- Double: one-suited hand, often six or more cards.
- 2: clubs and a higher suit.
- 2: diamonds and a higher suit.
- 2: hearts and spades.
- 2: natural spades, often weaker than doubling first and then bidding spades. Some pairs instead play the direct bid as the better spade suit, so this needs agreement.
- 2NT: undefined in many versions; some pairs assign it to a very strong two-suiter.
Advancer decisions
Advancer usually tries to land in the cheapest playable strain. With tolerance for the named suit, passing is often right. Without tolerance, advancer uses the agreed correction route and lets overcaller reveal the second suit.
Because DONT is often used aggressively, advancer should not assume the overcaller has extras. Advancer's first responsibility is finding a playable part-score.
After the one-suited double, a new suit by advancer is natural and non-forcing, typically a good six-card suit worth playing instead of partner’s unknown suit. After the two-suited calls the picture changes: because partner has promised a second, higher suit, advancer’s cheap new-suit call is normally pass-or-correct or a preference rather than natural. Raises are commonly played as preemptive in a minor and mildly invitational in a major, though styles differ.
With genuine game interest, many pairs use 2NT as the one artificial, forcing response. It asks overcaller to clarify shape and strength; the follow-up scheme varies, so agree on it in advance.
Relay after double
- 2 is usually a relay asking doubler to pass with clubs or name the one-suiter.
- Advancer should be prepared for any suit.
Advancer bids a suit of their own
- Advancer may bypass the 2 relay with a good six-card suit, especially holding shortness elsewhere.
- The bid is natural and non-forcing; doubler usually passes.
Both majors shown
- 2 shows hearts and spades in common DONT methods.
- Advancer chooses spades directly with spade preference.
The strong 2NT inquiry
- Many pairs play 2NT as artificial and forcing, roughly 10 or more points, asking overcaller to describe further.
- A common scheme has overcaller rebid 3 with a minimum and show the second suit with a maximum, but agreements vary.
When the opponents compete
If responder doubles or bids over a DONT action, the pass-or-correct machinery is off, and advancer should never guess overcaller's unnamed suit. In common agreements, a double (or a redouble after their double) asks overcaller to reveal it, while new suits by advancer stay natural and non-forcing.
After a two-suited overcall is doubled, pass shows tolerance for the bid suit and redouble asks for overcaller's second suit.
Responder bids over the double
- Responder's 2 cancels the 2 relay.
- Advancer's double is best played as takeout: overcaller passes with the opponents' suit or bids the one-suiter.
When DONT works well
DONT is attractive for pairs who want to compete often over 1NT and value low-level safety. It is especially practical with two-suited hands where other defenses might force the partnership to the three level before the second suit is known.
The cost is giving up a natural penalty double in direct seat. That tradeoff is acceptable only if the partnership is comfortable judging competitive auctions rather than defending 1NT doubled.
Classic DONT is primarily a defense to a strong 1NT. Against a weak 1NT, surrendering the penalty double is more costly, so many pairs use a penalty-oriented or different defense.
By agreement the structure applies in the balancing seat as well, usually with slightly relaxed requirements. Many pairs also use a parallel version as a runout after their own 1NT is doubled, with redouble taking over as the one-suiter relay.
Hand examples
The best DONT hands are shape-rich. Flat high-card hands usually defend, pass, or use another partnership tool.
One-suited heart hand
- Double first, planning to bid hearts over the 2 relay.
- The hand has a clear long suit but nowhere near a penalty double.
Diamonds and spades
- 2 shows diamonds and a higher-ranking suit; with 6-5 shape this hand is worth acting despite the light high cards.
- Partner passes with diamond tolerance or bids 2, pass-or-correct, and overcaller corrects to 2.
Weak spade one-suiter
- Bid 2 directly in the common style: long spades and a weak hand.
- With more high-card strength, double first and then bid spades.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that double is artificial and not penalty.
- Using DONT with flat hands that have no safe landing spot.
- Failing to define advancer's actions after each two-suited overcall.
- Treating vulnerable DONT bids the same as favorable-vulnerability actions.
- Treating a 6-4 hand as a two-suiter instead of starting with the one-suited double.
FAQ
What does double show in DONT?
In standard DONT, double shows an unspecified one-suited hand rather than a penalty double.
Is DONT aggressive?
Yes. It is built to compete often over 1NT, so vulnerability and suit quality become important safeguards.
Who invented DONT?
American expert and teacher Marty Bergen, who published it in 1989. It was originally called Bergen over Notrump, and it reflects his aggressive competitive-bidding style.