pbleighton Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Help me lose my fear. I play mostly matchpoints, though I play a little IMPs here on BBO. I notice that the very strong players at my club double for penalties noticeably more frequently than average players like me, particularly part scores, and they are generally right to do so. I was taught not to double for penalties unless I was reasonably sure of setting the opponents at least two tricks, and this is what I do. One of the best players in my club (4,000 masterpoints and plays like it) says that she doubles "anything that moves". I understand the basic difference between strategies in matchpoints and IMPs. What I am struggling with is the information I give away by doubling, and how conservative that should make me. I'd appreciate some guidance on this, eiother directly or through a link. Thanks, Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricK Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Help me lose my fear. I play mostly matchpoints, though I play a little IMPs here on BBO. I notice that the very strong players at my club double for penalties noticeably more frequently than average players like me, particularly part scores, and they are generally right to do so. I was taught not to double for penalties unless I was reasonably sure of setting the opponents at least two tricks, and this is what I do. One of the best players in my club (4,000 masterpoints and plays like it) says that she doubles "anything that moves". I understand the basic difference between strategies in matchpoints and IMPs. What I am struggling with is the information I give away by doubling, and how conservative that should make me. I'd appreciate some guidance on this, eiother directly or through a link. Thanks, Peter The advice not to double for penalties unless you are confident of setting them two tricks mainly applies to situations where it is their hand. In other words, they have bid to a contract they are happy with, but you have a nasty surprise for them. Often this sort of double does give information away, and declarer can often get an extra trick as a result of it. "Matchpoint" doubles are generally made on hands where you think you can make some contract, but the opponents have outbid you. Now, if they go down undoubled or make the contract, you are probably set for a bad score anyway so you have little to lose by the double. As a result, these doubles don't really say much about your hand, they say more about your partnership's potential (which has usually already been revealed in the auction anway). An example might be 1H (1S) 2S (3S) X, where 2S shows 3 card Heart support and enough strength for the 3 level. In this auction, everybody knows you and your partner have the strength for 3H (and +140), your double simply says that you don't think you can make 4H and they probably can't make 3S. It doesn't give away the position of any spade honours (you may or may not have them!). But you have to double or else you are booked for a bad score. Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cave_Draco Posted July 5, 2003 Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 To extend Eric's argument... If you double at MP & opps make? You just turned an "average", 50%, into a "bottom", 0%. That is the downside, >:). If you double at MP & opps fail? You just turned an "average minus", 40%, into an "average plus", 60%. That is the upside, ;D. The figures are "blue sky" figures, but 3+/1 odds are fine for MP doubles! The blend of caution & aggression is born of experience; MP is tough bridge, :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 Hi pb, You bring an interesting subject with this thread: how do expert players know when to double a partscore at MPs? And I think that the answer is the dreaded "judgement" word. Some recommendations/tips: 1) Use the LAW- If you have an 8 card fit and they have an 8 card fit and they are trying to play at the 3 level with your side having about 22-24 combined HCP then it is usually right to double.- 4 of a minor at MPs if your side has 8/9 trumps and they have 8/9 trumps should be doubled unless there're clear indications they can be making that contract. 2) Don't get framed, 0% is better than 0%!- If you think you can make your contract and they compete in a dubious way or a strange sequence that may not be duplicated then you must risk a double you are already in trouble. Example: You open a strong club and they compete to 3s after you find a heart fit. If you had a normal 1NT opening you'd better double 3s because other tables may be just playing in 2h after a transfer uninterrupted sequence. 3) Try your luck- When your opps are vul and you are not +200 is better than any partscore by you, use a lot of takeout doubles at the 2 level and try to see if pd/you can leave the double for penalties with some values in the trump suit and defensive tricks. 4) Evaluate your offensive/defensive ratio- When your hand is offensive bid one more or pass, if your hand is really defensive think about making a penalty double.So what are defensive values?* Honors in short suits* Honors in their suits* Aces 5) Make sure you are prepared for a penalty double- Think about what your pd will or you will lead if you will have a very ackward lead then don't double. If your pd is likely to make a bad lead the don't double, examples: you bid a bad suit previously or you have a very finneseable trump honor ex: Qxx. Pd usually lead a trump against a doubled partscore. 6) If they are in a missfit then you should think about doubling 7) If you have short trumps and you know pd has 4/5 trumps then it is you the player that must double, declarer can get trumps wrong for an extra undertrick. (Offside doubles) Just some tips,Luis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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