Balance?

[Codo]

The south hand is NO example for a 1 HEart bid. You have support for all three suits, you have 14 hcps. This is an aout double. Rolands hand was close to an 1 HEart bid and it is a style thing if you bid 1 HEart with that hand.

But the actual hand is a simple wtp double.

[neilkaz]

The south hand is NO example for a 1 HEart bid. You have support for all three suits, you have 14 hcps. This is an aout double. Rolands hand was close to an 1 HEart bid and it is a style thing if you bid 1 HEart with that hand.

But the actual hand is a simple wtp double.

Doubling is OK, my style prefers 1♥, but passing is surely NOT OK. The reason I somewhat prefer 1♥ to doubling is that I have no ruffing values as 4333 when PD responds in one of my 3 card suits. I don't expect to miss a 5-3 ♠ fit since PD can bid them if he has 5 if there's much chance that it is our hand.

[whereagles]

Pass by N and S seem normal. South could dbl, as pard can bid a major at the 1 level.

[rogerclee]

I disagree that 1H is okay by S. Sure, it may not yield a horrible result, but double is infinitely more flexible.

[awm]

I disagree that 1H is okay by S. Sure, it may not yield a horrible result, but double is infinitely more flexible.

I prefer 1♥ over double with the south cards. Keep in mind:

 

(1) Double gives partner exactly one more option, a pass of 1♦X. Given our diamond holding this is extremely unlikely to occur. So it's hardly "more flexible" if that means it gives partner more options.

 

(2) Double potentially puts less pressure on the opponents, since it gives them extra bids that 1♥ does not give them.

 

(3) When there's a big fit somewhere, we probably find it either way. When there's no big fit, double angles towards a 4-3 spade or club fit (with no ruffing value in the three-card hand and likely played from the weaker side) whereas 1♥ angles towards a 4-3 heart fit (with pretty decent trumps in the four-card hand and possible ruffing value in the three-card hand).

 

(4) Double does give the doubler a chance to bid again (virtually always) whereas 1♥ can pass out. But we're not really planning to take another call with this hand are we?

[rogerclee]

I disagree that 1H is okay by S. Sure, it may not yield a horrible result, but double is infinitely more flexible.

I prefer 1♥ over double with the south cards. Keep in mind:

 

(1) Double gives partner exactly one more option, a pass of 1♦X. Given our diamond holding this is extremely unlikely to occur. So it's hardly "more flexible" if that means it gives partner more options.

 

(2) Double potentially puts less pressure on the opponents, since it gives them extra bids that 1♥ does not give them.

 

(3) When there's a big fit somewhere, we probably find it either way. When there's no big fit, double angles towards a 4-3 spade or club fit (with no ruffing value in the three-card hand and likely played from the weaker side) whereas 1♥ angles towards a 4-3 heart fit (with pretty decent trumps in the four-card hand and possible ruffing value in the three-card hand).

 

(4) Double does give the doubler a chance to bid again (virtually always) whereas 1♥ can pass out. But we're not really planning to take another call with this hand are we?

Let's say I overcall 1H and LHO now bids 2D, passed back to me. I'm not willing to reopen to find my 4-2 heart fit, but partner is stuck with some 7-count with 5 spades.

 

The problem is even worse if it goes 3D on the left and partner has that 7-count with 6 spades.

 

I don't think 1H puts significant extra pressure on the opponents; in fact, it gives LHO a negative double vs 1S.

 

I agree that I'd rather play a 4-3 heart fit than a 4-3 spade fit, but I think telling my partner that I have 3 spades is more likely to be important in rest of the auction.