BPO-005F

[Rebound]

In terms of partner's holding, I have always felt that his/her double on auctions such as this should contain the option to pass for penalty when holding the enemy suit. Or, to put it another way, you shouldn't double for takeout unless you're prepared for it to be left in.

 

If that is the case, surely this holding qualifies for a pass.

[inquiry]

This hand was as much fun as I hoped it would be. We got votes for PASS, 3♥, 4♥, 2NT, and 3NT. And just as much fun, EVERYONE had good ideas for why they choose their bids, and some had many second thoughts. It is worth noting how many noticed the possession of the ♠9 among their cards.

 

FRED Pass - To me partner's double means that he has at least invitational values, that he rates to have a balanced hand, and that he is happy if I choose to play for a penalty. I think that we will collect at least +300 most of the time and, if we have a game, that the number could easily be bigger than that. In general I am not a fan of defending low level doubled contracts, especially when I have a fit for my partner and know there are reasonable alternatives. However, if you never Pass in situations like this one, the opponents are going to be a lot more inclined to get into your auction when they hold marginal hands.

 

Justin Pass. You had to give me the nine of spades? This decision seems very close, and either 3H or 4H could be a winning bid as well. I like my prospects on defense opposite a partner with some values and am going to try to nail my opponents. I'm going to lead a heart and try to start a tap.

 

Roland PASS. Take-out doubles are for take out, I know, but at these colors I will settle for the penalty. S9 makes the difference, and the fact that I have three small hearts. Our side may make game, but I live by the rule that "you know what you have got, you don't know what you will get".

 

NG "Pass. I'm a businessman here. Partner has invit+ with some defensive strength, so I don't see a better contract then 2Sx. The worst scenario is only 1 down, but in that case we have no game. The spade Nine is the golden card besides spade honours, so I predict 2-3 down for 300-500."

 

MikeH Pass: gift horses are too rare to pass up. Would not pass with worse trump. Partner knows that pass is possible: if not now, when?

 

Sergey Pass. We have 4+ def tricks, partner must have at least 2 (with less defensive hand I would like he to bid 2N). The second choice - just jump to 3N hoping for 4 tricks in hearts (hAJ9) and club stopper.

 

Reisig X is takeout with invitational or better values. Hope we beat this ..I'd PASS. Hearts probably the wrong game anyway.

 

While the majority choose to defend 2♠x. Others were not going to defend. See Henri’s and Fluffy’s responses for instance.

 

Ritong 3nt - between the quiet 3♥ and the "see-saw" 3nt, i go for the throat. no way i try to defend 2♠ doubled.

 

Fluffy 4♥, whatever partner's got I want to play this contract, 2♠ could go 800 if we shortened declarer quick, or make, if dummy appears with running clubs.

 

Beto 4♥. Pass can be the best choice here. But i hate to defend doubled part-scores in general and i hate it even more when i did not show support for my partners suit.

 

Luis 3h: Very close to abstain. This of course is a matter of partnership agreement, when they balance against 1NT and responder reopens with a double you need an agreement about opener being able to pass with a good 4 card holding in their suit or not. Knowing the agreement I pass or bid 3h dependingon what we agreed. Without agreement I bid 3h and then talk to pd sothis won't be a problem again.

 

Flytoox 2N. This is close. We should have a game. Can we score enough by converting partner’s double? I am not sure. If my spade is KJTx, then I will pass happily. But here, RHO knows he has QJTxxx of spade at best and yet he still bids 2S. He must have a good suit and some good side suit card. He must have something like QJT8xx, Ax, Axx, xx. I am going to bid 2N, and expect partner to raise. At any other color I will vote for pass.

 

SCORES

PASS = 100

4♥ = 70

3NT = 60

3♥ = 60

2NT = 40

[JLOGIC]

 

I usually find myself agreeing with Justin, but this one was, I felt, an easy decision.

 

I agree with you mike. I used to hate passing these doubles more than anything, that's why it was hard for me. That's one of the biggest changes I see.

 

Also, haha you used to find yourself agreeing with me. Remember when we were forum BFF? Good times!