double or pass?

[1eyedjack]

I have been caught out many times in the past getting intto double-happy mode when we have balance of power, only for them to settle in a big fit. I think the key on this hand is that the double of 2H showed your hand, under which circumstance there is no need to show it again unless you are in the pass-out seat, which in this case you are not. OK, so the double showed either major (I think this is unplayable but let's run with it). In that case a pass of 3S would show that your initial double was based on Hearts but not Spades. So by passing here you have confirmed your entire hand, and can leave the final decision to your partner, who may yet make the wrong choice but there is a fair chance that he will do right.

 

All that said and done, it would not surprise me if at the table I would have done the same thing, and then gone away at the end shaking my head ruefully and repeating the mantra "double-happy, double-happy".

 

By the way I agree with the 1N opener.

[jillybean]

Ok. I like them but I will talk with my pard about how we are playing these invitational doubles. :)

[1eyedjack]

I think that the problem with them is that advancer will pass over the double a high proportion of the time, and on that occasion he may (1) be in a misfit, but the best misfit available (when doubler has that suit), or (2) may be in a big fit (when doubler has the other major). This does not leave 1N opener well placed to decide whether to stand partner's double (correct in case 1) or pull (correct in case 2).

 

Incidentally, on the OP hand, if you pass I don't think opener should double (earlier in the thread you seemed to think that the end result was inevitable). Hindsight is great, I know.