missed game at teams

[AL78]

This hand from Friday evening random teams has been niggling me:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=s97hakqj765dq2c52&w=skj43h832d965ca74&n=s652ht94dkj87cq96&e=saqt8hdat43ckjt83&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1c4hppp]399|300[/hv]

 

I thought for some time about what to do at my second turn and very nearly doubled, but bottled it. Two off undoubled was a poor score compared to the other table:

 

[hv=d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1c1hdp1s3h3s4h4sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

Eight imps away. From the brief discussion after the implication was my partner would take a double by me as penalty and passed. +300 our way would at least have limited the loss to three imps.

 

Was I a coward?

[smerriman]

If your partner is going to think double is penalty you were probably right to pass.

 

But double with anyone else seems clear.

 

[edit]Sorry, the way I said 'anyone else' sounded way too harsh. But it's very rare someone would play it that way.

[Winstonm]

There are no guarantees in bridge but playing fearful of error is a losing style. It could go wrong but a takeout double is called for with that hand. If it’s not takeout, change your methods.

[mikeh]

This hand from Friday evening random teams has been niggling me:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=s97hakqj765dq2c52&w=skj43h832d965ca74&n=s652ht94dkj87cq96&e=saqt8hdat43ckjt83&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1c4hppp]399|300[/hv]

 

I thought for some time about what to do at my second turn and very nearly doubled, but bottled it. Two off undoubled was a poor score compared to the other table:

 

[hv=d=e&v=0&b=14&a=1c1hdp1s3h3s4h4sppp]133|100[/hv]

 

Eight imps away. From the brief discussion after the implication was my partner would take a double by me as penalty and passed. +300 our way would at least have limited the loss to three imps.

 

Was I a coward?

This is a good example of why you defend far more than your side declares

 

I don’t know if you play that a double by partner (over 4H) would be negative. I suspect not, although almost all experts would play it as negative…less experienced players often play negative doubles through 3S or some such. Fwiw, with my current regular partners, we play either through 4S or, as I prefer, through 7S.

 

The higher the level, the less rigid is the definition of the negative double. Also, the higher the level, the more opener should leave it in absent good shape.

 

If double would be negative (by responder) then reopening with a double is automatic, since partner may be sitting there with a penalty hand….and, if not, he may well have a long suit he couldn’t bid earlier without grossly overbidding.

 

If double would be penalty, then once again reopening with a double seems clear to me. If responder has nowhere to go, he passes.

 

It’s unlikely they can make an overtrick….if they do, c’est la vie. If they make, and for some weird reason the result isn’t duplicated, you’re losing only 5 imps. But once in a while, there is a double game swing on hands like these.

 

If your partner thinks a reopening double is penalty, he (or she) is mistaken. Think about it: how likely is it that opener has 4 sure defensive tricks sitting in front of the 4H bidder?

 

My guess is that a takeout double (which will often be left in, either for blood or as the best of poor choices) comes up 10 times as often as a penalty double by opener.

[DavidKok]

Fwiw, with my current regular partners, we play either through 4S or, as I prefer, through 7S.

My personal preference is to play negative doubles through 7♥, and when prompted I explain I don't know where to run after 7♠X. Unfortunately my partners prefer negative doubles through 4♥ only, so that's what I (am forced to) play.

[PrecisionL]

Interesting hand.

 

If you had opened 1♦ (preparing for easy rebid) then you have several options over 4♥ and a double for Takeout might be appealing.

[AL78]

Interesting hand.

 

If you had opened 1♦ (preparing for easy rebid) then you have several options over 4♥ and a double for Takeout might be appealing.

 

How would opening 1♦ have made any difference? I still have the same decision on whether to double, and I still have a TOX hand. Looking back I really should have doubled, and hope if partner took it as penalties it at least goes off, or many off if she holds something like ♥KJx.

 

Why open 1♦ when I have longer clubs and no bidding problem if partner holds the hearts and I don't get a heart barrage?

[Douglas43]

I agree with the others, it's more likely that you'll want a takeout double than penalties under the bidder. And partner is still there lurking with ♥KJ9x...in my dreams