I still dont understand this

[jillybean]

P (P) P (1♣)

P (1♥) P (2♥)

P (P) X

[1eyedjack]

I normally play a trap pass followed by double as penalty. But I also play that a double of a suit supported at the 2 level is take-out, and that (second) rule takes precedence. Not saying that is standard, just what I agree with my partners.

[P_Marlowe]

t/o - X is just a reopening bid, you dont want to let them play

on the 2 level.

 

Given that the opener was in 4th place, the risk is a little higher,

because you are more likely to run into a max. hand with opener,

who has an easy XX to invite partner to help assist him in

going for blood, but this does not change the meaning of the X.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[hotShot]

This is the 3rd turn to take action. First message was no opening strength (not even a 3rd hand opening), 2nd message was no t/o dbl on ♥ or trap pass and now the 3rd message is dbl this is penalty or an reopening dbl (the famous all purpose "do something smart partner"). Partner will usually have about 10 hcp, not really long ♥, probably no 4+ card ♠ suit and sort of a balanced hand.

If you don't have a clear agreement, the better guess is that it's intended as t/o, although the questions remains, why the hand was not good enough for a 1-level t/o.

[jdonn]

This is a takeout double of hearts. It is lighter than a takeout double in direct seat, and is simply based on the concept that when the opponents have a fit you usually have one too, and since their values are very limited you should fight for the contract.

 

There is really no possible way this can be a penalty double. If you have a penalty double of 2♥ here (aside from the fact that you won't have one because you would probably have opened 1♥ or 2♥ in third seat) you should be very happy that the opponents ended in that contract instead of some other suit.

[Codo]

I never saw this double and I am happy about this.

 

This cannot be a penalty double. What would I need? 5 hearts? And I forgot to open and partner forgot his take out double of two hearts? Not possible.

 

So this must be a take out double? What hand? Kxxx,x,Kxxx,xxxx?

I do not know. Partner passed already, so we look at at most 16 hcps between our two hands and have a good chance that we need to play a 4/4 fit at the 3. level.

And with say, KJxx,x,KJxx,xxxx I surely had double 1 ♥.

 

 

So, to me this double is simply non-existent.

It had been a clear take out when my lho had been dealer.

[rogerclee]

This looks like a normal takeout double to me. It's true that most hands that would do this should have doubled 1♥, but that doesn't mean this should be penalty, which sounds much stranger to me.

[vuroth]

If RHO ups it to 3♥ and I double, I think it's clearly some sort of trap. But playing any kind of penalty in the balancing position, especially when opponents have a fit and have stopped at the 2 level, seems counter-productive.

[mtvesuvius]

This should be takeout, a passed hand opposite a passing partner shouldn't want to make a penalty X on the 2 level. This would be a hand like QJxx x KJTx xxxx probably.