Do you double 2S?

[tysen2k]

A:

xxx

ATxx

AKx

Axx

 

B:

xxx

ATx

ATxx

AKx

 

C:

xxxx

ATx

ATx

AKx

[mikeh]

I do not feel strongly about these problems, but I double A and B and pass C. I would never consider doubling with C and I have no huge feelings on A and B. BTW, while I believe that I would act the same at imps and mps, some might differ, and so maybe you should specify the scoring

[pbleighton]

Hand A only. I don't like doubling, but with 4 hearts and 15 prime points I don't feel I can pass.

 

With the other two, I'm happy to defend.

 

Peter

[han]

As Peter. Very close (I even suspect you made them close on purpose).

[Guest Jlall]

I went with A & B. Too easy to get stolen from if you dont find a call with B.

[Winstonm]

I went with A only.

 

Very close on B and I would not fault anyone who did double.

 

No reason at all to bid on C.

 

Winston

[awm]

I'll pass on all of them, although I think A is very close and might double if partner tends to be passive in balancing seat or if we're nonvul at matchpoints.

 

We could easily have values to make something, but if partner has length in spades also, the bad spade break can foul many otherwise-reasonable contracts. With short spades, I expect partner to balance fairly aggressively so we're not likely to miss any games (although we could certainly miss a partial).

 

If I double on B or C, I think we're likely to reach the wrong spot fairly often (for example a 4-3 heart fit at the three or four level, with suits breaking badly). It's not like I can guarantee that if I double and we have a good spot available, partner will automatically find it after I have distorted my holdings.

[HeartA]

I will dbl on all of them (assume 2♠ shows 6). For C, though I don't have 4 card support for pd's suit, pd's chance to have 5-card suit is greater since he has only 1 or 2 ♠ at most (well, 3 with a VERY small chance).

[Blofeld]

I'm passing on all of them. I feel that pass is right on B and C, while I find A pretty tough. Hate my spade holding, though.

[mr1303]

I agree with Owen, scarily enough. I had a long look at A, but decided to pass eventually (unfortunately probably barring partner from bidding). B & C were clearcut passes.

[Robert]

Hi everyone

 

Partner will often have 3 spades given the bidding and your xxx holding.

 

Four cards divided between the remaining two players will often be either 3-1 or

2-2. The 4-0 break is the fairly rare split.

 

Regards,

Robert

[mcphee]

Well I say pass each time, the fact on one hand I have 4H does not alter my outlook at all. As for being stolen from, big deal it has happened before. I prefer to offer partner a dummy that will not put his head in a vice (I had considered another word). I may get grabbed I admit it. I wold not be a happy camper if I double and then had to play a doubled 3 level contract because you KNOW that will be an unwelcome score.

[MickyB]

If RHO was first to speak, I'm definitely doubling on A but not on C, still not too sure about B - I'd go for it if I had 3334 shape because I'd be more likely to reach the better minor fit.

 

If partner is a passed hand I'll pass on all three.

[mike777]

I went with A & B. Too easy to get stolen from if you dont find a call with B.

Ditto, these top flight players bid on nothing.

[Gerben42]

Double A, pass the rest. I hate these problems :P

[Guest Jlall]

I wold not be a happy camper if I double and then had to play a doubled 3 level contract because you KNOW that will be an unwelcome score.

big deal, it has happened before :P

[Fluffy]

A&B are exactly the same I wonder why people bid differently.

 

Textbbook bid is pass, then probably I would double anyway.

[pigpenz]

i doubled on all of them, what else can you ask for 4 tricks and 3 card support of the unbid suits.

 

actually i think C would be the safest one of all to double with as partner is almost marked with a five card suit and if we play lebensol to doubles we wont get overboard

[han]

A&B are exactly the same I wonder why people bid differently.

At least 12 people seem to think that the fourth heart does make a difference. It increases the chance that we have game and it increases the chance that we land in a playable spot.

[bearmum]

will X with the only hand which has 4♥s :(

[Kalvan14]

Hand A is a double for sure. And the 4th heart makes a difference. Hands B&C are very similar (now here a 4th diamond does not make a difference). I would double on both of them, assuming we have some suitable method for partner to differentiate a bad hand from a good one.

[Winstonm]

This has more food for thought than I originally realized. IMO, the point to make is that one has to take risks to do well but that the risks should be reasonable ones to make and should hold a satisfactory reward.

 

With xxx, A10xx, AKx, Axx it is certainly risky to bid, but it is also risky to pass.

This, IMO, is a well-judged risk. There are propects for game opposite hands that won't be able to balance over 2S - and as long as partner holds 4H or a 5-card minor we shouldn't get tattooed at the 3 level, but could. This is the reason I believe hands B and C to be better passes - it not so much that I'm overly concerned about going for a number, but game in NT or a minor is too far out of reach to compensate with reward verses the risk - when partner does hold the 5-card heart suit that allows game to make I have to simply pay off to the weak two bid and look for my chance to return the favor, LoL.

 

The poor risk is overcalling 1S on a hand like: Q10x, xx, AQ8xx, Axx but you see it all the time - this is a hand that has to get lucky to go plus, has little propect for game, and has large potential for disaster.

 

Winston