Double by 1NT opener

[awm]

I'm interested in this auction:

 

1NT - (2♦ natural) - Pass - Pass - X

 

What should opener's double mean? Does it depend on what responder's double of 2♦ would have been? Obviously this is a matter of partnership agreement, but some agreements might be unreasonable....

[Echognome]

I vote for almost "same meaning as responder's double." As if responder's double is penalty, then a penalty double by opener is non-existent.

 

However, if responder's double is takeout, so is opener's.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

the meaning of responders double is important,

if responders double would be for t/o, than opener

is forced to reopen.

 

If it would be optional / penalty, most likely t/o makes

more sense, but ...

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[Lobowolf]

Takeout, because the doubler is in front of the bidder.

 

1NT-P-P-2♦ (natural);

X

 

would be penalty, conversely; opener in that case could have a decent stack of minor honors and quite a few outside quick tricks.

[jdonn]

All these doubles should be takeout, it's very obvious to me.

[cherdano]

Takeout. 1NT bidder can hardly ever have a penalty double: opponents may have 24 hcp as far as he knows, and given his balanced hand he would usually need 5 trumps to double.

 

If responder's double is penalty, then responder could still have takeout shape, so a takeout double by opener seems even more important.

[H_KARLUK]

X = Mind check your collection pls p? :)

 

It's not penalty seat - competitive

[Free]

All these doubles should be takeout, it's very obvious to me.

Agree 100%

[MFA]

All these doubles should be takeout, it's very obvious to me.

Agree 100%

It's ok to play penalty doubles behind the bidder. We do that even with our 12-14 notrumps!

 

In front of the bidder it surely should be takeout.

[jtfanclub]

Sure seems like an obvious takeout to me. There's no hand where I'd ever want to penalty double this- surely if I had 5 diamonds, they'd have a place to run to!

[Free]

All these doubles should be takeout, it's very obvious to me.

Agree 100%

It's ok to play penalty doubles behind the bidder. We do that even with our 12-14 notrumps!

 

In front of the bidder it surely should be takeout.

I've also thought about this years ago. However this is a foolish style, and I'll explain why.

 

Your partner can also Dbl. Using the style you mention, in an auction 1NT-(2♦)-... partner has a penalty double, while you have a takeout double. And guess what: usually you both would double in such a situation (because partner is long, opener is short). Similar if it's the other way around, or if the auction goes 1NT-(p)-p-(2♦)-...

 

So you lose options playing this style, while either penalty doubles for both players, or takeout doubles (best imo) for both players have more possibilities.