Post by Keith SheppardPost by e***@hotmail.comBasically, not doubling 2H is the equivalent of being alchemist
that can turn a hand of gold into a piece of crap.
I agree. Unfortunately my fear (confirmed in subsequent discussion with
1H P P
2C 2H double
The double would be taken as take-out.
This particular bear of little brain finds the whole penalty/takeout double
business a real headache. I started a discussion thread on the topic on
this forum a few months back. The piece of advice I latched onto then was
"a double is for takeout unless and until our side have agreed a suit". I
agree that's probably over simplistic but I wanted a simple rule because,
even if the rule was wrong, I reckoned that was safer than risking one
partner thinking a double was for penalties and the other not, or vice
versa.
My previous rule (plagiarised from the Standard English convention card) was
that doubles of suit bids up to and including 2S are for takeout.
By both yardsticks, the above double is for takeout so how does one achieve
2H* on this hand - or do I still have more to learn on the "when is a
double for penalties" front? If so, what guideline would cover this case?
Keith
Here is another simple guideline: low-level doubles are for takeout
when doubler sits in front of the suit bidder and for penalty when he
sits behind the suit bidder. Examples:
1C-P-1H-2S
P-P-X
A takeout double showing extra high cards and no clear choice of
strain. For example: xx, AKxx, xxxx, Kxx.
1C -1S - P- P
2C - 2S - X
Penalty double because doubler is sitting behind the suit bidder. Note
also that in this sequence doubler had a chance to make a takeout
double the round before (which he did not do) so it is clear the later
double is for penalty.
The justification for this guideline is simple. When you sit behind
the long suit, you need much less in their suit to justify an attempt
to penalize. QTxx in trumps could be two tricks behind the overcaller
and no tricks in front of the overcaller. There are exceptions to this
guideline. For example:
1C - 1S - X - 2S
P - P - X
the second double is for takeout under the reasoning that having made
one double for takeout already, your second double should also be for
takeout. Further, when the opponents have bid and raised their suit,
you again would need a very strong trump holding to justify a penalty
double and you won't have it often.
More examples
1C - 1S - 1NT - 2S
P - P - X
Since the oppos have bid and raised spades, this double should show
cards.
1C - 1S - 1NT - P
P - 2S - X
This double can be for penalty.
On the original sequence, its reasonable to define the double either
way. Responder has not had a chance to show general values earlier in
the auction and he might want to now. OTOH, responder is behind the
doubler where he does not need much stuff to beat them.
* Double for takeout will be nice when you hold: ATxx, xx, KQxxx, xx
* Double for penalty will be nice when you hold AKx, QTxx, Qxxx, xx
If you decide the double for takeout, then advancer can pass to
penalize and let the balancer balance again with a double. You may
miss a penalty occasionally, but at least you will still collect a
plus and your constructive bidding will be better because you have a
double to show values without a fit. Alternatively, if advancer thinks
game is too likely, he can bid 2NT or 3NT with a hand that was worth
penalizing. Again, assuming his judgment is accurate, at least you are
still going plus, even if you could not take home the big prize today.
Andrew