Testing the Limits

[louisg]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=sahajt9xxxdajtcax]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

RHO opens 1D. 3D would be natural, and 4D is undiscussed. There is a modern tendency toward (virtually) unlimited overcalls with shortness in the other major. Part 1: Double or overcall? Please decide before reading on.

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2: You double, and the auction proceeds:

 

1D-X-3D-4S

P-?

 

Oh well. Your guess?

[jdonn]

Why not just overcall 4♥? It's so unlikely you will both have a slam and accurately bid it on any auction after they open, and I wouldn't want to make a habit of trying to stop on a dime at a low level on a hand like this. The losses from the rare slam missed this way are more than offset by the gains from the opponents mistakenly bidding over 4♥, in which case your double card will come in handy.

[MFA]

I'm definitely doubling 1♦. This hand has great potential.

Not so nice after 4♠, but such is life. Maybe partner has the goodies and raises our 5♥, and we are smiling again. It's too wild to gamble 6♥ on our own, since we need some heart fit opposite.

[mikeh]

A good hand for 4♥ followed, if needed, by double.

 

I simply refuse to double with this hand-type unless I have something (even) closer to a 2♣ opening. Now, reverse the majors, and I am a doubler.. I can handle 4♥ and while I won't like 5♣, partner is less likely to play me for real support of an unbid minor than an unbid major.

[pigpenz]

looks like after this its a pass of 4♠

I guess when you make the original double you have to ask yourself before hand what woud you do after 3♠ which is obvious but also what you would do after 4♠

[655321]

If you choose to double, it seems to me 5♥ over 4♠ is clear.

 

Yes, often you have to pass partner's 4♠ after doubling with strong offshape hands, but not with this hand.

[Guest Jlall]

I would definitely start with X and then 5H is obvious.

[cnszsun]

Double then 5♥ seems clear to me.

Also, I don't think 4♥ then double later would show this hand. Shouldn't it show a hand with extra playing strength and some modest defense?

[benlessard]

A 4H Red vs W should show 8.5--9 tricks. This hand is a trick too strong but the prospect of opps sacrifice at 4S is so high that i prefer a direct 4H. If the opps compete further I double to show a great hand.

 

If im W the X should suggest a save at 5H.

If im red the X is extra strenght.

[OleBerg]

I start with 1♥, it is ever, ever, never passed out.

 

If I had started with a double, 5♥ is obvious.

[mike777]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=sahajt9xxxdajtcax]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

RHO opens 1D. 3D would be natural, and 4D is undiscussed. There is a modern tendency toward (virtually) unlimited overcalls with shortness in the other major. Part 1: Double or overcall? Please decide before reading on.

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2: You double, and the auction proceeds:

 

1D-X-3D-4S

P-?

 

Oh well. Your guess?

4h over 1d...give up on slam.

[andy_h]

I'm usually pretty strict with the overcalling vs double (tend towards overcalling as the auction usually doesn't die out) but this hand has very good potential so it's a double for me.

After the auction proceeds as follows, it's now not so ideal but I still bid 5H.

 

I guess my 2nd choice would be to bid 4H over 1D then followed by a double if need be.

[P_Marlowe]

#1 X, t/o

#2 X, penalty

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[Edmunte1]

Double, the hand is too good for a direct 4♥.

[gnasher]

Double, then 5♥. I'd only do this with a huge hand, so I can imagine partner raising to six with the right hand - KQxxxx Qx x xxxx, for example.