What is this double?

[mike777]

(1s)=x=p=2d

(2s)=x=p=?

 

Assume playing with an expert pickup partner and you are just playing BWS, nothing fancy. What hand type does partner's second x mean at MP?

 

 

Would it matter if your hand is a minimum 1=2=5=5?

[awm]

Extra values, typically 2-4-3-4. This is basically the same hand that cuebids 2♠ at second turn if opener passes. It's a hand that's too good to feel comfortable passing, but without a good enough diamond fit to raise.

 

I'm sure someone will say "penalty" but I don't particularly believe that a hand can double for takeout and then make a purely penalty (rather the card-showing/cooperative) double later in the auction.

 

With a lousy 1-2-5-5 I have a fairly easy 3♣ bid here.

[gwnn]

It can never be penalty.

 

It should show basically any nice 54 or 45 hand in the roundeds (ie not a good enough suit to overcall 2♥, in case it's 1534). With 44 it should be a monster, something like xx AKJx Axx KQJx.

 

3♣ sounds automatic.

[Guest Jlall]

Agree with extra values, also agree that it would typically be a balanced hand but 1435 isn't ruled out.

[mike777]

Ok, thanks that is what I thought, my partner's comment at least on this one was way off base, ty all. ;)

 

At the table I did not make a second double I passed but partner, of course, still balanced with 3clubs. :) I had 5 spades and 4H and extras. We made 3D. Perhaps my first x was a bit offbased, but thought I had to get in there and compete.

[cherdano]

A takeout double of 1♠ while having 5 spades is a little unusual.