The Second Hand, when he doubles one, or bids two Spades, says: "I have not three suits stopped, so I cannot bid No-trumps. While I have sufficient high-card strength to call one Royal, I have less than five Spades, and, therefore, am without sufficient length. I can, however, by this declaration, tell you the exact number of my Spades, and I expect you to make the best possible use of the exceptionally accurate information with which you are furnished."
As much care should be taken in selecting the correct declaration, when in doubt whether to bid two Spades or double one, as when determining whether to call a Royal or a Heart. Many a player doubles one Spade with five or six, headed by Knave, Ten, apparently never realizing that with such a hand he wishes the trump to be Royals, and yet, by his bid, is inviting his partner to call No-trump; or he bids two Spades with the Queen of Spades and a couple of Kings, and after his partner has declared a Royal, or doubled an adverse No-trump, counting on the announced Spade strength, says: "I realize I deceived you in the Spades, but I had two Kings about which you did not know."
That sort of a declarer makes it impossible for his partner to take full advantage of any sound bid he may make.
Every Second Hand bidder should remember that when he doubles one Spade or bids two, he tells his partner he has short or exactly four Spades, as the case may be; that he has not three suits stopped, and that his minimum high-card holding is one of the following combinations:—
| SPADES | MINIMUM STRENGTH IN OTHER SUIT |
| Ace, King, Queen | No strength required |
| Ace, King | Queen, Knave, and one other |
| Ace, Queen | King, Knave |
| Ace, Knave | Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
| Ace | Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
| King, Queen | Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
| King, Knave, Ten | Ace, or King and Queen, or King, Knave, Ten |
| King, Knave | Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
| Queen, Knave, Ten | Ace and King; Ace, Queen, Knave; or King, Queen, Knave |
In order that the distinction between the various Second Hand Spade declarations may be clearly marked, take such a holding as
| Spades | Ace, King |
| Hearts | Three small |
| Diamonds | Four small |
| Clubs | Ace |
Only ten cards are mentioned, and the remaining three are either Spades or Clubs.
| When the missing cards are | Making the number of Spades in the Hand | The Second Hand should |
|---|---|---|
| All Clubs | Two | Double |
| Two Clubs and one Spade | Three | Double |
| One Club and two Spades | Four | Bid two Spades |
| All Spades | Five | Bid one Royal |
The method suggested above is not the only plan for distinguishing between the double of one and the bid of two Spades.