A double

[jdonn]

I disagree that almost nobody plays pass (or redouble) by LHO as showing hearts, in fact I would be shocked if a strong pair doesn't play one or the other.

Let me shock you, then. I believe Frances plays pass as fit for clubs, and XX as fit for diamonds (or the other way round).

Now that you mention that I do recall that, I think I even said it sounded like a good idea (after a direct seat Michaels I think, although maybe she only said she played it if double was penalty oriented?) Maybe shocked is too strong of a word, but I'm quite sure there are plenty of pairs capable of ending in 2♥ doubled or redoubled on that auction.

[Fasteddy]

While it may be possible to come up with a superior agreement about what a double should mean here, isn't it reasonable and effective to play that it shows something like a strong notrump hand (ideally something like KQx Axxxx KJx Ax), especially if you wouldn't open 1NT with such hands? This lets pard do whatever he thinks is right at his next turn.

 

I guess I could double with a holding that has more shape (say KQx Axxxx AKJx x), but then I'd be worried about leaving in pard's double of 3C or even of 2S, or of his competing to 3C over 2S.

[gnasher]

What you just outlined seemed the natural way to play it to me so I don't think it is error prone.

It's error-prone if you don't have clear agreements about when it's lead-directing and when it's bid-directing. There's a fair amount of crossover between "bid this suit" and "lead this suit", but none at all between "bid this suit" and "don't lead this suit".

[Codo]

That's aside from the fact that if you hold a minimum with bad hearts and your opponents are capable, it may go X P P back to rho and HIS good hearts...

So the difference is that LHO with strong hearts has a trap pass and wants to play 2 HEart in his 6-0 fit opposite an unlimited partner with a spade/minor two suiter. How frigthening.

 

Maybe we can ask Ben to look in his database if this ever happened.

 

What is your guess: 1 time out of a million hands? I guess it is less often.

 

I still think the difference between the approaches is marginal at best and that Hans statement was a gross overbid.

[jdonn]

That's aside from the fact that if you hold a minimum with bad hearts and your opponents are capable, it may go X P P back to rho and HIS good hearts...

So the difference is that LHO with strong hearts has a trap pass and wants to play 2 HEart in his 6-0 fit opposite an unlimited partner with a spade/minor two suiter. How frigthening.

 

Maybe we can ask Ben to look in his database if this ever happened.

 

What is your guess: 1 time out of a million hands? I guess it is less often.

 

I still think the difference between the approaches is marginal at best and that Hans statement was a gross overbid.

I certainly don't deny that against over 99% of the bridge players on earth, or on bbo, it will never happen. But what happens against most such players really doesn't concern me. Anyway I think I'm done with this thread, the points have been made.

[dake50]

I would inject 2H psych overcall here, with a runout. How to handle that odd call?

[Phil]

I would inject 2H psych overcall here, with a runout. How to handle that odd call?

I don't know. Why don't you ask pard after they sac with 4♠?

[dake50]

Look at my hand. Greater than 3 DT Dbl; extra offense 3H. No unexpected message pass.