High level balancing double

[twcho]

You are 4th position, 1st hand open weak 2M, 2 passes to you, what is you minimum requirement for a takeout double? Will it vary between ♠ and ♥? Will it vary with vulnerability?

 

Normal minimum for one level balancing double is 8 HCP with suitable shape. Should we add two points (or 3) for each higher level?

 

OK, one normally use lebenshol (or some variance of it) in responding to pd's direct double over 2M opening, using 2nt to differentiate the strength of one's hand (8 pts, I suppose). Is this principle extendable to balancing double? And is the principle of transfer K applicable here (i.e. 2nt is also the limit but it differentiates hands with 11 pts as the separating line)?

[vang]

just apply the principle of transfer K. if you double in direct position with a nice 13 HCP, double in balancing position with a nice 10 (probably 4441 short in opps suit). apply lebensohl.

 

2NT is an exception i guess, most play it still as 15-18 since it's too risky with lower values.

[whereagles]

1. Normal minimum for one level balancing double is 8 HCP with suitable shape. Should we add two points (or 3) for each higher level?

 

2. OK, one normally use lebenshol (or some variance of it) in responding to pd's direct double over 2M opening, using 2nt to differentiate the strength of one's hand (8 pts, I suppose). Is this principle extendable to balancing double? And is the principle of transfer K applicable here (i.e. 2nt is also the limit but it differentiates hands with 11 pts as the separating line)?

1. No. At least I don't think that's a good strategy. Add a jack if you want, but adding a K per each level is waaaaaaay too much.

 

2. Yes. Over the balancing dbl, pard bids suit at 3 level with 10-12 points and, with less, bids 2NT.

[ArtK78]

Most better players do not act in direct position over a preempt without very sound values. And this is even more true when the shape of the hand doesn't lend itself to any direct action.

 

So, in balancing seat, one must allow for the fact that partner can have a good hand. And the shorter one is in the opponents' suit, the more likely it is that partner has a good holding in that suit - perhaps even a penalty double.

 

So, on an auction like 2♥-P-P, one should balance with a good suit and a 10 count, maybe even less with spades. One should double with shortness in the opponents' suit and as little as a 9 or 10 count.

 

As for 2NT, it should not show 15-18. The range is more likely to be 12-16. However, if you have a strong holding in the opponents' suit you know it is very unlikely that your partner has length or strength in the opponents' suit. So his failure to act over 2♥ implies that he does not have a very good hand. He may still have values, however, so you should probably act.

 

Finally, one must take into account the form of scoring and vulnerability. If you are white and the opponents are red and you are playing IMPs, and you find yourself with a 14 count with KJTx in the opponents' suit in passout seat, you should probably pass it out. If you can't beat their contract much, it is unlikely that you will make anything. And if you do beat them more than one or two tricks, you will do almost as well as you would bidding a game.