Sputnik double was the name first given to the negative double. When it was first used (and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong), I think Sputnik doubles applied only on very narrowly defined auctions. Certainly only at the one level. For some reason, I think 1m-(1S)-DBL was Sputnik to show hearts basically.
Today, Sputnik and negative double are used as the same term. How high to play these is a matter of partnership agreement.
We really don;t need all these fancy names for such doubles. Perhaps Robson/Segal said it best when they said"
"There are many titles given to doubles used in various sequences: ‘negative’, ‘sputnik’, ‘responsive’, ‘snap-dragon!’ and others. Colourful though some of them are, these terms are largely redundant, and (worse) confusing. They tend to distract from the fact that all these doubles are simply ‘take-out’, showing an offensive hand that wants to compete with no other clear bid to make.
Thus, these doubles are takeout. They are meant to get your partner to bid, when you yourself don't know what to bid but know your side should be in the bidding. Like any other "takeout double", you are expected to use your judgement. You can decide rather to takeout, or if your hand is suited for it, convert your partners takeout double to penalty. Remember, your HAND HAS TO BE SUITED for this conversion. The lower the double (as in the case with spunik), the less likely you will CONVERT to penalty, the higher the bid when a takout double occurs, THE MORE LIKELY you will convert to penalty.
I recommend you read chapter five in Robson/Segal's book on "competing without a know fit", and especially the part on "The take-out double - a commercial break!" which starts on page 166. Look for the link to Robson/Segal notes on this link...
Dan Neill's webpage
Ben
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