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Overcall or pass?


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RHO opens the bidding for 1. Both sides are vulnerable and the scoring is IMPs. What do you bid with this hand? [hv=d=e&v=b&s=sk8hq7652dk8caq84]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]  How about? [hv=d=e&v=b&s=sk8hq7652dk8caq84]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]   Corrected hand.
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Rereading Mike lawrence's takeout doubles after more than 10 years.

 

In regards to hand one:

 

"The point of this discussion is that you will have tough decisions when your choices are to overcall two hearts or double. Learn this one little secret well. It is harder to bid over one spade than any of the other suits. Be honest and recognize this. When your opponent opens one spade, you will have many difficult decisions....The point to be learned here is that nothing is perfect. Even experts disagree."

 

I would double but.....

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Double on both, under the principle of "in quick, out quick." There is a huge upside to bidding immediately on these hands and a very small downside :D :P :P

 

If pard bids diamonds, too bad. But it should still have a play for. And if I'm playing equal level correction, I can bid 2.

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Especially since most people here read Robson's book, under which both hands are automatic take-out doubles.

Are you sure? I have this book in front of me now, and I can't see what would make you say that.

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Well, check page 206.

 

There you hold:

 

Kxxxx

Ax

KQxx

Ax

 

RHO opens 2, precision: 5 clubs, 11-15 hcp. Robson/Segal recommend a take-out double of 2, followed by 2 if pard bids 2.

 

The situation with the hands of this tread after 1 is very similar, hence my comment of 'automatic take-out double'.

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Well, check page 206.

 

There you hold:

 

Kxxxx

Ax

KQxx

Ax

 

RHO opens 2, precision: 5 clubs, 11-15 hcp. Robson/Segal recommend a take-out double of 2, followed by 2 if pard bids 2.

 

The situation with the hands of this tread after 1 is very similar, hence my comment of 'automatic take-out double'.

Been a while since I read R+S.

Do they assume equal level conversion?

 

Its also worth noting that the hand that R+S provide is significantly strong than the ones that you originally posted. This hand is worth 17.1 using the K+R scale. The stronger of the two hands that you presented is only a 14.35...

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Well, check page 206.

 

There you hold:

 

Kxxxx

Ax

KQxx

Ax

 

RHO opens 2, precision: 5 clubs, 11-15 hcp. Robson/Segal recommend a take-out double of 2, followed by 2 if pard bids 2.

That hand has four and a half lost tricks. It's significantly stronger than the two hands from this thread.

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hrothgar: yes, RS advocate equal level correction. In fact, it's one of the cornerstones of their 'competition without known fit' theory.

 

It is true RS's example is a tad stronger than the original hands on this tread, but he also has examples of off-shape take-out doubles on weaker hands. Still, it's all a matter of judgement. I don't mind evading shape requirements in order to butt-in as soon as possible.

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:lol: You must pass on both.

 

A takeout double GUARANTEES three cards in each of the unbid suits with a "close to opening/opening" hand OR 16+ HCP

 

An overcall at the two level requires at least 10+HCP (and preferably an opening hand of 12+HCP with unfavourable vulnerability) but most importantly SUIT QUALITY. It should GUARANTEE two of the top three or three of the top 5 honours.

(i.e. 2 of AKQ or 3 of AKQJ10). Let's face it, if we don't end up winning the contract, partner will lead our bid suit to us and we will play high (if partner leads low). With simply the Queen as our top honour she will probably drop on first round....and what have we left?

 

If we DO win the contract, it is very embarassing to find that the opposition have both the Ace, King AND Jack all over us! What can we hope to achieve?

 

Definately pass on both hands......

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If we are playing RS methods, #1 is a clear double and # 2 is boraderline (I would bid it).

 

If we swap the rounded suits, #1 becomes borderline and #2 is a clear pass. Scrambling to 2 on a four carder is less likely to do well as partner won't have four. A scamble to 3 is not possible as that would be a GOSH in RS methods (It would have been a jump overcall if it had been bid directly over the opening.)

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