On Apr 28, 8:41 am, David Babcock <d...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> What is standard practice and/or your preferred agreement on these
> questions, assuming that you open 1S as dealer (matchpoints, both
> vul), your LHO bids 2S Michaels, and pard doubles to show a desire to
> defend against at least one possible enemy suit:
The source of all problems in subsequent auctions is the definition of
the initial double. When double is defined as you describe, if neither
opponent can penalize (and a trump stack is usually required to
penalize safely), then subsequent auctions often become a guessing
game.
Marshall Miles has proposed a better agreement.
Double shows a balanced hand with no fit and general values such as:
xx, QJxx, QJxx, Axx. Double invites opener to penalize with a moderate
trump holding of his own, like Hxx.
Double denies a hand that can only penalize one strain like this: xx,
KQTxx, AJTxx, x since if it does, partner could not safely double 3C
holding Qxx of clubs. With a hand like the second example, pass on the
first round and then double 3H if the opponents try to play 3H.
Similarly, with a hand that can double anything the opponents play,
pass on the first round and double on the second.
Using this method, occasionally you miss a chance for a number when
partner has a 4-card stack in the oppo's minor opposite your
singleton, but in exchange, you get to penalize holding Axx opposite
Qxx in trumps (which occurs more often). Perhaps more im****tantly:
* It is far easier for opener to judge when to double
* Subsequent auctions are much easier, since responder's shape is
more narrowly defined.
> 1. If advancer bids 3H, or 3C pass/correct which overcaller p*****,
> is this forcing on pard in passout seat?
Standard is yes, the double creates a forcing auction. Marshall Miles
thinks it should not be. The problem with double creating a forcing
auction, is it prevents responder from doubling on many promising
defensive hands in the 9-11 range. If double is forcing, then
responder must have the values to sup****t 3NT or a 4-level contract,
or risk getting to high when your side fails to penalize. a 10-count
like this: xx, KTxx, AQJx, xxx can not really afford to double if it
forces your side to 3S or 3NT (if pard can not double 3C, and he will
be afraid to double unless he holds 4 trumps).
> 2. If overcaller converts the pass/correct bid to 3D and pard p*****,
> is this forcing on you?
Again, yes, standard says double created a forcing auction.
> 3. Does double of advancer's 3H by you show an interest in defending,
> or extra values? If the former, how do you show extra values, or do
> you ignore those for the moment (dicey if the answer to (1) is "no")?
>
> Your hand is AJxxx AK xx AKxx . What is your call over advancer's
> 3H?
In any method, opener's double is penalty. Responder invited you to
penalize when he doubled 2S. However, as you realize, if responder's
double of 2S could have been made with an insufficient heart holding
like x or xx, then doubling 3H now would be foolish.
Using Marshall's methods, opener can safely double for penalty.
Partner has at least three hearts, no spade fit and a balanced hand.
His shape will be 2-3-4-4, 2-3-5-3, 2-3-3-5, 3-3-3-4, or he will hold
4 hearts. If you have a slam, you should do very well against 3HX.
Playing standard methods, it is more difficult. If partner might hold:
Qx, Jx, AQxxx, QJxxx the penalty against 3H will be insufficient.
Anything you do is a guess.
Andrew
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