why? On any given hand, the odds are surely that the opps cannot take 11 tricks. However, the fact that they bid 5♦ suggests that maybe they can. If pass is forcing, what would you bid with xx xxxxxx x xxxx? On this posted hand, I pass and then bid 5♥ 5♥ to start with is simply too much of an overbid. Yes, partner could have the magic hand, but experience suggests that he rarely does. Double by him is not just increasing the penalty. He has cards. So while 5♥ may be wrong, it seems correct. Partner can deduce that I have a shapely offensive hand (else I would pass the double. I am bidding with expectations of making, so he might (but probably won't ) raise. AKJxx KQx x Axxx is enough for him to raise on this auction. yes.PASS is forcing bidding. ofcz,you will hold a hand with ZERO hcp . then ,the most likely is you have to pass your partner's double re-open. it is homology over 95%. the disadvantage is that we'll lose a game when 5♦ can be made up(+),as you know,the good 5♦ preempt is 4NT(or 4♠),and pass is a poor hand in this case. regards