Double or Overcall?

[grrigg]

[hv=d=w&v=n&s=sxhkq10xxdqjxcakxx]133|100|[/hv]

 

West deals and opens 2♠ and it goes Pass, Pass to you. Would you overcall 3♥ or double? Does it matter to you whether its IMPs or matchpoints? Is it even close in your mind or is one action a runaway winner?

[gwnn]

it's horribly close in my mind, maybe the ♥T makes me bid 3♥

[Fluffy]

I feel too strong for a 3♥ bid, but I don't think double would help to show the strenght either. I am tempted to bid 3♥ when partner bids 2NT over my double.

[andy_h]

I am short in spades, so I dbl, as it's more flexible. I have support for all 3 suits and partner could be trap passing.

[Free]

Dbl

[mr1303]

I double. Given the lack of a raise from RHO, partner could have length in spades and be wanting to murder 'em. 3H is too unilateral.

[helene_t]

Dbl. 3♣ over partner's 2N (leb) but obviously 3♥ over 3m.

[kfay]

I'd Double.

 

By the way: Welcome to the Forum Greg!!

[rogerclee]

Seems like a pretty clear double to me. I'd like to be playing lebensohl here.

[655321]

Double in 4th seat - East did not raise, and perhaps partner wants to defend 2♠X.

 

If RHO opened 2♠, I would overcall 3♥. Now a penalty is less likely, I want to show the 5th ♥, and the hand - while very good - is not really good enough to X then bid ♥.

[neilkaz]

Dbl. 3♣ over partner's 2N (leb) but obviously 3♥ over 3m.

Same for me and happy as almost always to be playing leb after our doubles of weak 2's.

[jdonn]

Double is clear to me in balancing position, where partner is far more likely to want to penalty pass.

[Apollo81]

I'd overcall. This is a maximum, but not enough for a power double in my book. The chance to take 2♠ for a number does not compensate for the awkwardness that results when partner bids nearly anything else.

[Guest Jlall]

I want to get to 4H so I'd probably bid 3H. Partner has 3 hearts and a random 6/7/8/9 count that make game too often in my opinion. If LHO is going to X me quickly I guess I'll start with X :P

[miguelm]

I also like to introduce as many suits as I can, but not when I hold such a nice Major and still have a fair chance of getting to game.

 

I also don't think I have enough to double and bid Hearts later, far from it.

 

We don't know the scoring, but either way, 3H is likely to be the percentage bid both in Imps (Hearts game is the most probable one) and also in MPs (if we don't bid game it will probably 140 versus 110 or 170 versus 130).

 

The downside of bidding 3H is the associated risk because you know if you double you always will land on your feet.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

I think it is more a matter of personal

style / preference.

 

I would double, the hand looks like a

3-suiter to me, but I know. I may miss

our 5-3 fit in hearts, and 4H is still out

most likeliest game, so 3H may be better,

but I would double anyway.

 

 

Wit h kind regards

Marlowe

[Codo]

I had bid 3 Heart before reading the answers, but I am not so sure anymore. Pd should have some spades, so maybe 3 NT or 2 Spade X is a much better spot then 4 Heart. So next time, I try double, this nice suit will be a help in 3 NT too.