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What does this double mean?


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You're North - what does partner's double mean?

 

[hv=d=w&v=e&b=16&a=p1d2sp3sppdppp]133|100[/hv]

 

 

And one more - what does your double mean? Which kinds of hands would you make it on?

 

[hv=d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1d1s2c3sd]133|100[/hv]

 

 

Thanks :)

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First one should probably be penalty, though I'm really not sure. (What can partner have? If he had a TOX of 3S then he surely had one of 2S; if he had a stop in spades and enough for 3NT he would just bid 3NT. It sounds like he had a penalty pass of 2S, hoping for a reopening X.)

 

Second one is for takeout - a typical hand type would be a maximum opener, or at least some extras with no clear direction like x AQxx AKxxx Kxx. Playing a weak NT, this can also be a strong NT without a stop in spades.

 

ahydra

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The links don't work at all for me (using Safari)

Is there some reason not simply to post the hand here?

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First one should probably be penalty, though I'm really not sure. (What can partner have? If he had a TOX of 3S then he surely had one of 2S; if he had a stop in spades and enough for 3NT he would just bid 3NT. It sounds like he had a penalty pass of 2S, hoping for a reopening X.)

 

Second one is for takeout - a typical hand type would be a maximum opener, or at least some extras with no clear direction like x AQxx AKxxx Kxx. Playing a weak NT, this can also be a strong NT without a stop in spades.

 

ahydra

 

I agree (about the second double being takeout) except that the example hand (x AQxx AKxxx Kxx) doesn't look like "no clear direction" to me, it looks more like a slam try in clubs. I would bid 4 with that hand. xx Axx AKxxxx Kx seems closer to the mark for double.

 

The first one is definitely penalty.

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I think the first one could reasonably be played as 2-way. Penalty is the standard meaning though.

 

The second one is just extra values and nothing else good to bid. This may be close to the same as takeout, but I don't think of it that way.

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Both are Balance of Power Doubles.

 

First is Cooperative Penalty. Doubleton or fewer, with 3 cards. Likely 3=3=2=5 with 11 HCP or so.

 

Second is Cooperative Penalty. Doubleton or fewer, maybe 4 cards, 2-3 cards, perhaps 2=4=5=2 or 3=3=5=2

 

These doubles suggest playing at the 4-level is not safe, that we do not have an 8-card trump fit, that we do have .GTE. 23 HCP. and that the opponents have gotten too high for their trump fit.

 

Pure penalty doubles when opponents have bid and raised their suit are extremely rare. Cooperative Penalty hands come up more often. recommend Colchamiro's book for a fuller discussion.

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I agree (about the second double being takeout) except that the example hand (x AQxx AKxxx Kxx) doesn't look like "no clear direction" to me, it looks more like a slam try in clubs. I would bid 4 with that hand.

 

Can partner not bid 2C on a 4-card suit here?

 

ahydra

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1) Pretty clear that this X is penalty-ish - either 'I would have passed a reopening double of 2 by you' or 'I have a much better hand than my first pass indicates', maybe a hand with 10-12 HCP that couldn't/didn't make a negative double earlier.

 

A takeout meaning is possible (a very weak hand with length in the unbid suits) but I wouldn't wheel that bid out unless I had specifically discussed it with partner,... and the author did say the situation was undiscussed.

 

2) The second double's modern meaning is 'cards with no clear bid', asking for partner's help. Partner can convert the double with a balanced hand with a few clubs, or otherwise bid what's in front of his nose.

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2 shows 5 to me. If by chance he bid it on 3-4 in the minors, it must be a very good hand (else just pass) and hopefully he can correct clubs to diamonds.

 

Tonight I bid 2 on Qxx AKx Axx QJxx.

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(which is what started this discussion).

What started the discussion seems to be the idea of bidding 2 over a 2 overcall. It clearly makes sense to both of you so I am missing something but I have no idea of the meaning of 2 by any player in the auction starting (P) - 1 - (2). :blink:

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First double is, "I have values, but no clue where this supposed to be played. Make a decision for us." Giving you a chance to bid 3N if you have spades stopped/double stopped (or leave in for penalty).

 

Second is penalty. Probably has something like AJT Qxx Qx AQxxx. If you are void in spades, expect partner to have four with something like AT9x Kx Kx AJTxx.

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