Pass or Double

[Miron]

[hv=d=s&v=e&s=sxxhkxxxdaxxxca10x]133|100|Scoring: MP[/hv]

 

pass - pass - 1♠ - x

xx - pass - 2♣ - 2♠

pass - 2NT - pass - 3♠

pass - 4♠ - pass - pass

?

 

Partner has obviosly psyched (2♣ are suspicious and 4♠ by opps convincing).

 

It is MP so you can double for one down with reasonable profit.

You had (most probably) 3 tricks. Do you play partner for one?

(the ♣K or ♦K or ♥A or ♥Q+)

[kenrexford]

I'll double, not because I refuse to "field," but because I like my chances.

 

When the auction makes absolutely clear that partner has psyched, "fielding" is not a problem. That's bridge.

 

That being said, the psychic has required them to make a lot of guesses. This may well be too high for them, as it took quite a few bids to reach this contract. I have three probable defensive tricks, and we may sneak through a second club trick. Partner must have some protection for his call, I would imagine.

 

If he panics and bids 5♣, I do not dislike my dummy for him. Give partner the feared seven clubs, and we may well hold this to down two or down three, which may be a fair result if 4♠ makes.

 

If I suppose that double works even 40% of the time, I use that option, as it avoids a director call, which takes time and reduces my chances for a good result on the next hand/next round.

[zasanya]

If they have misguessed and overbid to 4♠ beacause of my Partner's psyche then I am assured of an average+ score so why double?

If they have guessed correctly inspite of partner's psyche then we are likely to get an average and doubling will give us a bottom.So why double?

If they have overbid and bid 4♠ and my double provokes P into running to 5 ♣ the consequences would be undesirable to put it mildly.

I of course agree that a double might give me a top instead of an average.

However I am intrigued by kenrexford's reference to "avoiding a director's call".

Does this mean that if I do not double opponents have a legitimate reason to call Director?

[Free]

I'd also pass for the same reasons as zasanya: we already have an average or better score on this board, so why try to get a bottom?

 

Let them call the TD, he can't do anything: I Redoubled first to show strength, partner runs, and later he passes over 4♠. If he would have his opener (even a light one) he should double with 5♠s, so it's clear for EVERYONE that he psyched. There's no need to double just to avoid the TD at the table...

[kenrexford]

I am not saying that you will lose if the TD is called. You won't. In fact, you may get a call anyway, just by virtue of your partner's psychic (and should -- to report it for records).

 

But, the whole "fielding" question is annoying and lengthy. In a timed match, everyone gets all fired up for some reason, and you lose time necessary for executing a nice backwash squeeze on board 24. So, if it is close, I double for time management reasons.

 

Plus, the "we don't need a double" crowd is missing the real risk that the par contract is 3♣ making, or even 4♣ making, on a 3rd-seat 3♣ opening. At these colors, 3♣ might have jammed them too much. If 4♠ is off one, we are not so assuredly set up for a good MP score.

[the hog]

Pass!