Just kind of a funny shocker

[kenrexford]

So, last night we had a 70% game, which was nice. But, we got a zero on one hand that made me laugh.

 

♠QJxx ♥Qxxx ♦J ♣KJxx

 

LHO opened 1♣, partner overcalled 1♥, and RHO doubled.

 

Deciding that I could figure out what was going on better than anyone else and do the right thing, I made a (stupid?) calculating decision to pass.

 

Opener rebid 2♦, partner passed, and RHO bid 4♦.

 

OK, expected something like that. So, I bid 4♥.

 

5♦ came back to me, I shrug my shoulders, I doubled.

 

Two passes and a redouble. The final contract.

 

Now, here's the funny part. I'm going to hide what dummy tables. See how close your guess is. I bet it won't be close.

 

 

♠K ♥Jxxx ♦KQxxxxx ♣x

 

[cherdanno]

Deciding that I could figure out what was going on better than anyone else and do the right thing

 

[...]

 

5♦ came back to me, I shrug my shoulders, I doubled.

Yeah right.

[helene_t]

I gather that in the Xango system, to shrug one's shoulders is a signal to partner to take the opposite inference of what he would normally take from one's action?

[kenrexford]

I gather that in the Xango system, to shrug one's shoulders is a signal to partner to take the opposite inference of what he would normally take from one's action?

AQctually, when I shrug my shoulders, that means I'm about to unload a good zero. Had to get it out of the way at some point. :)

[paulg]

Now, here's the funny part.  I'm going to hide what dummy tables.  See how close your guess is.  I bet it won't be close.

Now that is the definition of a safe bet - you can be pretty certain that no-one is going to guess dummy will also hold a card that is in your hand.

[mtvesuvius]

So you called the director about the fact that there were two Jacks of hearts?

[kenrexford]

So you called the director about the fact that there were two Jacks of hearts?

Yeah, that was shocking too.

 

Oops -- I had Qxxx in hearts. Will edit.

[dicklont]

♠ AKxx

♥ -

♦ xxxxx

♣ Axxx

 

This would be a nice hand for the redouble, but too good for 4♦ unless it's forcing.

[kenrexford]

♠ AKxx

♥ -

♦ xxxxx

♣ Axxx

 

This would be a nice hand for the redouble, but too good for 4♦ unless it's forcing.

That would be two spade Kings, but it was close to what OPENER had. Declarer actually had ♠Axx ♥-- ♦Axxx ♣AQxxxx and was the only sane person at the table.

 

Partner had ♠xxxxx ♥AKxxx ♦x ♣Jx

[ArtK78]

5♦xx with two overtricks.

 

I knew that there was a score for this result, I just didn't know that it had ever been used.

 

Thanks, Ken. Let us know if you find any other unused scores.

[helene_t]

Ken, I thought you knew that stripe-tail ape doubles don't apply in balancing seat.

[mtvesuvius]

5♦xx with two overtricks.

 

I knew that there was a score for this result, I just didn't know that it had ever been used.

 

Thanks, Ken. Let us know if you find any other unused scores.

1200 or 1800? Yes, sadly I know this score.

[kenrexford]

Actually, they dropped a trick somehow and only made 6.

[mtvesuvius]

Actually, they dropped a trick somehow and only made 6.

1400 the hard way

[aguahombre]

Deciding that I could figure out what was going on better than anyone else and do the right thing, I made a (stupid?) calculating decision to pass.

 

Normally I hate it when I, or my partner, decide to single handedly try to mastermind a situation. But, "stupid" is clearly wrong, and "calculating" is much more appropriate on this hand, where you might predict at this early level that something strange is going to happen. With all your "assets" you might have no tricks on either offense or defense. What a rousing success if you had decided to not only pass at the one-level, but thereafter, as well.

[kenrexford]

Deciding that I could figure out what was going on better than anyone else and do the right thing, I made a (stupid?) calculating decision to pass.

 

Normally I hate it when I, or my partner, decide to single handedly try to mastermind a situation. But, "stupid" is clearly wrong, and "calculating" is much more appropriate on this hand, where you might predict at this early level that something strange is going to happen. With all your "assets" you might have no tricks on either offense or defense. What a rousing success if you had decided to not only pass at the one-level, but thereafter, as well.

Well, I was dealing with obviously strange characters.

 

To my left was a guy who is straight as an arrow. So, I could predict his calls as legitimate (enough).

 

To my right was obviously a random lunatic.

 

Across from me was a partner who opted a 1♥ overcall with 5-5 in the majors, which is odd.

 

So, all things considered, I started out in complete mystery as to what was going to happen at the table.

 

The trouble was whether 5♦ as a final contract was maniac overbidding, maniac underbidding, random nonsense, or completely legitimate for the actual deal.

 

I guessed wildly wrong.

[Cascade]

I gather that in the Xango system, to shrug one's shoulders is a signal to partner to take the opposite inference of what he would normally take from one's action?

AQctually, when I shrug my shoulders, that means I'm about to unload a good zero. Had to get it out of the way at some point. :)

What is the signal for a bad zero?

[kenrexford]

I gather that in the Xango system, to shrug one's shoulders is a signal to partner to take the opposite inference of what he would normally take from one's action?

AQctually, when I shrug my shoulders, that means I'm about to unload a good zero. Had to get it out of the way at some point. :)

What is the signal for a bad zero?

A bad zero is one that is undeserved. A good zero is one your worked for. This one is a great zero, because it took a lot of work.

[jdonn]

Good point, this one was definitely not undeserved.

[CSGibson]

Across from me was a partner who opted a 1♥ overcall with 5-5 in the majors, which is odd.

I like your partner's call at matchpoints. Getting the lead director in, and not suggesting spades unless partner can bid them himself.

[Trinidad]

The trouble was whether 5♦ as a final contract was maniac overbidding, maniac underbidding, random nonsense, or completely legitimate for the actual deal.

 

I guessed wildly wrong.

In that position, I wouldn't do any guessing. I already have a 3 in 4 chance for a top by just passing! (Yes, I know, assuming that all four possibilities are equally likely, which they aren't.)

 

By doubling, you give the opponents a chance to compensate for maniac underbidding (by redoubling) or to correct the random nonsense to a better contract. You could convert an 85% score into a 0 or an average. If the contract is completely legitimate you will convert a 40% board into a 0% board. On top of that, there is the additional possibility that they are supposed to be in 3NT, when they have 10 tricks or they should have doubled 4♥. In either of these cases, part of the field will be there and you will turn a good board into a zero.

 

And what can your double win? Only if the opps were guilty of maniac overbidding, you will convert an 85% board to a 100% board. Congratulations.

 

Rik