Removing doubles

[Lord Molyb]

If you double certain sign-offs (usually notrump ones), they will often remove to other, inferior contracts even if they are cold for the one they are in.

 

I ran up a bidding table to test certain scenarios in which they will do this. At the table I maintained west with 20-21 points, 4 spades, 2-3 hearts, 2-4 diamonds, 2-4 clubs, and east with 6-7 points, 0-3 spades, 4 hearts.

[hv=pc=n&w=sak75hkj6dq76cakt&e=s92h9852dat9cq843&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=ppp2np3cp3sp3nd4s]266|200[/hv]

South doubles, and west immediately removes to 4♠ instead of bidding 4♥ which is a garunteed 4-3 fit or just passing. Sometimes west will bid 4♥ or pass, though. Very occasionally east will bid 4♠ after west passes. (with 3 obviously)

If south does not double, west will always pass.

 

A similar thing happens if west opens 1NT: (changed west into 15-17 points and east into 10-11)

[hv=pc=n&w=sakqthaq4d854cqt2&e=s5hkj72dkt973ckj8&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1np2cp2sp3nd4sppp]266|200[/hv]

[hv=pc=n&w=sakj3ha84dkt7cq96&e=s9hqj92da43cat854&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=1np2cp2sp3nd4sppp]266|200[/hv]

 

With less concentration in their suit and 3 hearts, they often bid 4♥. With neither they pass, and easy may or may not bid.

 

Other contracts also have this problem.

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sak86hk2da954cqj6&e=s52ha986d3cakt987&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1np2cp2sp3c(5+%20C%2C%204%20H%2C%203-%20S%2C%2014+%20Total%20Points)p3nppd4dp5cppp]266|200[/hv]

After the double, west bids 4♦! and east wisely removes to 5 ♣, for a low score.

 

Please fix this.

[georgi]

Thanks for reporting.

 

Fixed in next version(v26).

 

Also corrected some of the lengths for 3NT or supplementary bids where could be misleading for promising 4 cards in other major from opener, etc.

[cloa513]

 

Other contracts also have this problem.

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sak86hk2da954cqj6&e=s52ha986d3cakt987&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1np2cp2sp3c(5+%20C%2C%204%20H%2C%203-%20S%2C%2014+%20Total%20Points)p3nppd4dp5cppp]266|200[/hv]

After the double, west bids 4♦! and east wisely removes to 5 ♣, for a low score.

 

Please fix this.

This the funniest of the lot because EW can make 6C- indeed the pass off at 3NT is pathetic- West shouldn't put in clubs unless slam is a chance and East has exactly what is wanted so should push past 3NT immediately.

[Lord Molyb]

Thanks for reporting.

 

Fixed in next version(v26).

 

Also corrected some of the lengths for 3NT or supplementary bids where could be misleading for promising 4 cards in other major from opener, etc.

[hv=pc=n&s=sa42h873dj64c7632&w=sk9653hak952dq2ca&n=sj87hjt4d873cqt54&e=sqthq6dakt95ckj98&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1sp2dp2hp3cp3n(should%20bid%203%21H)ppd(What%3F)pp4sp5cp5dp5hp5sppp]399|300[/hv]

First of all, West should bid 3♥ instead of 3NT.

Second of all, once south doubled, east should not pull to 4♠. This shouldn't be happening.., since you fixed it ;)

[Stephen Tu]

Second of all, once south doubled, east should not pull to 4♠. This shouldn't be happening.., since you fixed it ;)

 

He did say fixed "next" version, v26, which isn't out yet. We're still on v25 that was released in January.

 

Agree west should show the 5-5 shape.

 

Also:

arguable that east should rebid 2nt or instead of 3c. 3c is arguably needed for difficult 2353 hands without club stop if a 2s bid promises 3+. 4sf should still apply in 2/1 auctions. Over 2nt east will still find club fit if west really 5404, there's really not an advantage in bidding 3c instead of 2nt.

 

Would be kind of awesome if GIB could not only not pull 3nt-x but redouble with its extras :), but obv not high priority.