Doubling 3NT

[han]

Yesterday I had the following hand at the local club:

 

KQ109x

98xx

A

10xxx

 

LHO opens 1NT, RHO bids 2H (transfer) LHO bids 2S, RHO jumps to 3NT.

 

Four questions:

 

1) Would you double?

 

2) Do you agree that the double would be automatic at IMPs?

 

3) How likely would you say it is that you set 3NT after a spade lead?

 

4) How likely is it that partner has a spade void? (and would that be bad?)

[pclayton]

1) No, but I have on occasion

 

2) No; quite the opposite

 

3) Not great. Your basically taking 5:2 odds that the J♠ is in the short hand. Spades are marked 1552 around the table. How do you propose to take more than 2 spade tricks if RHO has the J?

 

RHO could have as much as a 15 count. I'd much prefer to double if RHO rebid 2N, not 3.

 

4) Not very but I dont think it matters.

 

______________________________

 

In the first Bracket I KO I ever won, the only bad number on our card was a -950 after my pard made a very speculative double against 3N against the identical auction.

 

We go back to compare and we get to this board:

 

"-950" I say.

 

Chris Larsen who was at the other table says: "Win 8 ( I think), +1300".

 

1300? "Yeah", Chris says. "I sent it back". :)

[Free]

1) no, why?

 

2) not at all, why double imp contracts unless they're sacrifices (or you KNOW you can get them down)? :)

 

3) less than 5%

 

4) dunno, but your doubtfull double is based on ♠ opposition, so what do you expect?? :blink:

[EricK]

2) not at all, why double imp contracts unless they're sacrifices (or you KNOW you can get them down)? :)

If you think the double is the only way to defeat them (because it will direct partner to the killing lead), then it is often right to double at IMPS even if you don't know you are defeating them. This, after all, is the theory behind the Lightner double.

 

I don't think this applies to the given hand though.

 

Eric

[Walddk]

Four questions:

 

1) Would you double?

 

2) Do you agree that the double would be automatic at IMPs?

 

3) How likely would you say it is that you set 3NT after a spade lead?

 

4) How likely is it that partner has a spade void? (and would that be bad?)

1. No.

 

2. No.

 

3. More than slender.

 

4. Doesn't matter. One thing is certain: he can't lead them again.

 

Save your lead-directing double of 3NT for October 23, 2009 when you are dealt the jack instead of one of the x's.

 

Roland

[han]

Thanks for all of your replies. Always nice to get the experts to agree when you are looking for an answer.

 

I did double at the table, it goes down 2 after normal defense (anything but a heart lead), but I wasn't sure if I did the right thing. Now I know, I didn't!

 

I'm already looking forward to Oktober 23rd of 2009!

[Winstonm]

I would not double at any form of scoring; note, however, had the auction gone: 1D-1S-2N-3N or 1D-1S-1N-3N then I would be more inclined to double as the 5-card suit is pretty well denied.

 

Whether at imps or MPs it would be more likely at MPs as all I can lose is 1 board instead of 1 match if I am wrong.

 

WinstonM

[Guest Jlall]

Would not X. The key things here are:

 

A ) RHO is unlimited, and will be well placed to ship if its right.

 

B ) LHO may have 3 spades, and is about to convert to 4S

 

 

Unlike phil i don't see how spades are marked as 5521 around the table. LHO hasnt had his chance to bid yet, he may well be ready to correct to 4S (Which I would also X as I don't know I can beat 4N). I would also not X in imps because if they XX it could easily be a disaster.

[pclayton]

Yes Justin's right; RHO still can pull to 4♠, although of course when you double 3N LOL.

[bearmum]

1 NO

 

2 NO

 

3 Don't like the odds at all --- maybe 20% (off the top of my head rather than scientific )

4 Immaterial :P (to me anyway )

[cherdano]

Btw, I assume everyone would double if the auction had gone 1NT-2♥-2♠-2NT-3NT?

[Fluffy]

Wouldn't double on any case except if they land in 4♠.