Double, Diamond or ?

[doccdl]

I feel it is a clear cut case for Double.It has certain advantages,Responder knows that it is a general purpose bid to be clarified on the next round as also it enables responder to compete if he has major either right away or on the next round(if has 6or less HCP) 1♦O over all is a dubious bid on this particular hand.The diamond suit is not strong or long enough.The hand is almost a 3suiter one (by that I mean it has decent support for all the 3 remaining suits and partner has the liberty to choose any as per his holdings).If it goes 1♣ x 1♥pp one can double again to depict a diamond @and spades lengths.Also partner may lead any suit of his choice if LHO buys the hand in NT. All said,Double is a marked bid on this hand,

[Phil]

Double is clear.

 

1. If the opponents stay silent over partner's dreaded 1♥, I am fine with 2♦ because partner probably has a few cards across. Couldn't partner hold 4♠? We do bid up the line over a takeout double don't we?

 

2. If I bid 1♦, the auction may get a little awkward. We are OK if the bad guys bid and raise hearts (we can x) or rebid ♣ (same). But what if they rebid 1N? What if they bid spades? We need soooo little to make a game in hearts and 1♦ doesn't move us there at all.

 

The idea that double and 2♦ shows some sort of monstrous single-suiter without reference to the other suits is something of an antiquated concept. If I have some 21 count and seven diamonds, my correct call is 3♦, not 2♦. You can weaken it a little and take away a diamond and that still would be true.

 

I would feel a lot better overcalling 1♦ with a similar strength hand and SIX diamonds, because, wait for it, I want to emphasize diamonds.

[bluenikki]

"The idea that double and 2♦ shows some sort of monstrous single-suiter without reference to the other suits is something of an antiquated concept. If I have some 21 count and seven diamonds, my correct call is 3♦, not 2♦. You can weaken it a little and take away a diamond and that still would be true."

 

Yes, double then 2♦ is 17-20 total pts and 5+ ♦. But partner must not then take an action that presumes 3-card support for his suit.

[smerriman]

Believe it or not, Kaplan added a point for doubleton other than suit opened AND a point for the 5th card in a suit (and 2 more for the 6th).

 

He emphasized that the simple advance was a *negative* bid, like the 2NT response to a strong 2-bid.

 

That method *works*. Look for excuses to show strength when your partner doubles.

You can certainly add a point for the doubleton, but then you would subtract the point for the jack. There is no way on earth Kaplan would count both of them.