Instructive hand for novice

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.

I had a look at her card from last Thursday evening, which is an evening where novice players tend to move too from the beginners evening, but it is not rank limited so there can be a high variance in ability. She unfortunately had a bad evening (although not quite last), and I looked at her worst scores and gave her some guidance on what went wrong on those boards (picking up fundamental mistakes only). There is one board which stands out:

Game all

873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8

NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).

N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP

This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.

When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?

Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

[ais523]

***@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
[snip]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was
awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that
I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this
hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a
spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to
follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right,
is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major
suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?

There are a few ways to show a strong two-suited hand, mostly
artificial, but this is not a hand where I'd use them; 5422 isn't
unbalanced enough. My preferred bidding sequence in the absence of
agreements would be to double and then pull 3S to 3NT; in a natural
system, a balanced-ish hand with length mostly in hearts and diamonds
seems like the most natural interpretation of that sequence. (The only
sensible alternative I can think of for that is to show an alternative
range for the NT bid, but I'd expect that to need an explicit
agreement.) In particular, it must surely imply 4 hearts because
otherwise you'd just have bid diamonds or NT directly.

[[e-mail]]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

The important lesson, though, is that the "penalty" doubler in direct position is not supposed to be guessing.

Carl

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

The important lesson, though, is that the "penalty" doubler in direct position is not supposed to be guessing.
Carl

Do you mean that after she bids 3NT and East re-preempts, she should pass and let North decide what to do? I didn't think of that but it is logical. On this occasion I'm unsure what would happen, North was a fairly weak player so it wouldn't surprise me if the final contract would be 4C undoubled.

[Dave Flower]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

Perhaps you could discuss forcing passes with her - arguably better than a double.
That being said, I don't think anyone did anything stupid (East excepted)

Dave Flower

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by Dave Flower

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

Perhaps you could discuss forcing passes with her - arguably better than a double.
That being said, I don't think anyone did anything stupid (East excepted)
Dave Flower

Good idea, I give the occasional workshop for the Monday evening beginners/improvers, and you've given me an idea for a subject, thanks.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Dave Flower

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

Perhaps you could discuss forcing passes with her - arguably better than a double.
That being said, I don't think anyone did anything stupid (East excepted)
Dave Flower

It is not necessary for the pass to be forcing, so long as it says "I don't know what to do."

Nothing about the auction says North has anything at all. If North has in fact nothing, defending 4C undoubled may be the best you can do.

The other important thing is for North to understand she has a really good hand on the auction.

Carl

[Travis Crump]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by Dave Flower

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

Perhaps you could discuss forcing passes with her - arguably better than a double.
That being said, I don't think anyone did anything stupid (East excepted)
Dave Flower

It is not necessary for the pass to be forcing, so long as it says "I don't know what to do."
Nothing about the auction says North has anything at all. If North has in fact nothing, defending 4C undoubled may be the best you can do.
The other important thing is for North to understand she has a really good hand on the auction.
Carl

Not sure how a forcing pass or do something intelligent pass does any
good. Swap North's majors, arguably a more likely scenario, and you
don't want to be in 4S so how can you expect to get to 4H that way on
this hand. Meanwhile you have what looks like 4 tricks in your own hand
against 4C with chances for more; why would you want to defend undoubled?

[ais523]

[snip]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
873
J8532
AQJ
96

[snip]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP

[snip: discussing Pass rather than X for South]

Post by ***@verizon.net
It is not necessary for the pass to be forcing, so long as it says "I
don't know what to do."
Nothing about the auction says North has anything at all. If North has
in fact nothing, defending 4C undoubled may be the best you can do.
The other important thing is for North to understand she has a really
good hand on the auction.

It's a really good hand offensively (especially as partner is likely to
have diamonds on this bidding). xx in clubs is pretty terrible
defensively, though. The difference is vast enough that North should be
bidding onwards, most likely 4H (even though 5D is more likely to make
on this bidding sequence for South, because South can likely pull hearts
with a shortage but 5D pretty much unilaterally sets the suit).

[Steve Willner]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP

This is a tough hand, and I'd expect great disagreement on South's best
first action. Opposite a beginner, who won't ever bid 4S, I like
double, then correct 3S to 3NT. This should show a more flexible hand
than immediate 3NT, though some play it as showing a stronger hand.

With a good partner, I'd bid 3D. I avoid misleading partner about
spades and can raise hearts if partner bids them. If partner bids 3S, I
can bid 3NT, and 3NT by partner should be fine.

My third choice is the immediate 3NT. That has some merit opposite a
beginner partner, but I'm not fond of it.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Nothing about the auction says North has anything at all. If North
has in fact nothing, defending 4C undoubled may be the best you can
do.

That last is true, but over a preempt, you can't play partner for a
zero-count. I usually say "Play for about 7 HCP, some of which are
wasted in opponent's suit." North has a little more than this with
nothing wasted so should show positive values, but North is far from
having a rock-crusher in this approach. I wouldn't expect pass over 4C
to be forcing, but maybe it should be. Even if not, North should not be
passing with the hand he has, but you can't trust a beginner to know that.

[Hotzenplotz]

On Tuesday, 23 July 2019 04:43:25 UTC+7, Steve Willner wrote:

snipped.

I rarely disagree with Steve, but this time I do. I think 3NT is clear. How do you know pd will not bid 4S if you double?

Sorry Steve, but I think 3D is a dreadful bid, by far the worst of the lot. After the dreadful 4C bid there is a strong argument, as has already been pointed out, to make pass forcing showing some predilection towards playing in a suit. Perhaps it is resulting but I would bid 4H over the pass.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Steve Willner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP

This is a tough hand, and I'd expect great disagreement on South's best
first action. Opposite a beginner, who won't ever bid 4S, I like
double, then correct 3S to 3NT. This should show a more flexible hand
than immediate 3NT, though some play it as showing a stronger hand.
With a good partner, I'd bid 3D. I avoid misleading partner about
spades and can raise hearts if partner bids them. If partner bids 3S, I
can bid 3NT, and 3NT by partner should be fine.
My third choice is the immediate 3NT. That has some merit opposite a
beginner partner, but I'm not fond of it.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Nothing about the auction says North has anything at all. If North
has in fact nothing, defending 4C undoubled may be the best you can
do.

That last is true, but over a preempt, you can't play partner for a
zero-count. I usually say "Play for about 7 HCP, some of which are
wasted in opponent's suit." North has a little more than this with
nothing wasted so should show positive values, but North is far from
having a rock-crusher in this approach. I wouldn't expect pass over 4C
to be forcing, but maybe it should be. Even if not, North should not be
passing with the hand he has, but you can't trust a beginner to know that.

You played partner for something when you entered the auction.

You must not *continue* to play them for something.

Carl

[Fred.]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

First of all, given a beginning partner with whom she had no clear
understanding I think your mentee did fine.

3NT was a reasonable action given a partner who might well a double
to absolutely promise spade support and might not understand a
subsequent club or diamond bid.

The penalty double was a reasonable action given a partner who might
not know to act over a pass of 4C, based on the view that when you don't know
what to do your should go for a likely plus score. Put North's queen in
spades rather than diamonds, or give East one less spade and one more red suit card and she might well have scored a top instead of a bottom.

I don't think that

N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C P P
4S P 5D

implies a red two suiter in the South hand. I think it suggests
playing diamonds, perhaps a hand that expected to make 3NT with
diamonds as a source of tricks. Obviously North will be able to
figure out that this is not the case on this hand, but I don't
know what North will make of 5D.

Fred.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Fred.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

First of all, given a beginning partner with whom she had no clear
understanding I think your mentee did fine.
3NT was a reasonable action given a partner who might well a double
to absolutely promise spade support and might not understand a
subsequent club or diamond bid.
The penalty double was a reasonable action given a partner who might
not know to act over a pass of 4C, based on the view that when you don't know
what to do your should go for a likely plus score. Put North's queen in
spades rather than diamonds, or give East one less spade and one more red suit card and she might well have scored a top instead of a bottom.
I don't think that
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C P P
4S P 5D
implies a red two suiter in the South hand. I think it suggests
playing diamonds, perhaps a hand that expected to make 3NT with
diamonds as a source of tricks. Obviously North will be able to
figure out that this is not the case on this hand, but I don't
know what North will make of 5D.
Fred.

but direct-seat double says you do know what to do. Certainly, your novice partner will always take it so.

Carl

[Fred.]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by Fred.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

First of all, given a beginning partner with whom she had no clear
understanding I think your mentee did fine.
3NT was a reasonable action given a partner who might well a double
to absolutely promise spade support and might not understand a
subsequent club or diamond bid.
The penalty double was a reasonable action given a partner who might
not know to act over a pass of 4C, based on the view that when you don't know
what to do your should go for a likely plus score. Put North's queen in
spades rather than diamonds, or give East one less spade and one more red suit card and she might well have scored a top instead of a bottom.
I don't think that
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C P P
4S P 5D
implies a red two suiter in the South hand. I think it suggests
playing diamonds, perhaps a hand that expected to make 3NT with
diamonds as a source of tricks. Obviously North will be able to
figure out that this is not the case on this hand, but I don't
know what North will make of 5D.
Fred.

but direct-seat double says you do know what to do. Certainly, your novice partner will always take it so.
Carl

I was suggesting that the doubler was uncertain, not that the
double would communicate that uncertainty to advancer. Bidding
should be a partnership activity, but when the understanding
isn't there to involve both partners in a decision one partner
may have to wing it.

Fred.

Fred.

[[e-mail]]

Post by Fred.

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by Fred.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
I have taken a 2nd year beginner under my wing to try and help her progress. She is enthusiastic about getting better but cannot find partners outside the beginner evening. I offered to help her because I don't think partnering and playing amongst other beginners will help, and it resonates with me that in my first years playing bridge, I had a similar issue.
Game all
873
J8532
AQJ
96
QT92 J654
K74 6
8754 2
54 AQJT732
AK
AQT9
KT963
K8
NS were playing a simple system: weak NT, Benji Acol (I think).
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C X AP
This wasn't good as 4C only went two off, whereas NS can make 4H, 5D or 3NT.
When I looked at this, the first thing I thought was East's 4C bid was awful, but weak players do things like that regularly. Aside from that I suggested a double would have been better than 3NT, which on this hand gets NS to 4H making 11 tricks. My question is, if North held a spade suit instead of a heart suit and bid it, is it ok for South to follow with 4D to show a strong two suited hand? If that is not right, is there a way for the strong hand to show some interest in a major suit contract rather than committing to 3NT?
Note that they weren't playing anything like cue bidding to show a two suited hand, all they had was a takeout double, and natural overcalls.

First of all, given a beginning partner with whom she had no clear
understanding I think your mentee did fine.
3NT was a reasonable action given a partner who might well a double
to absolutely promise spade support and might not understand a
subsequent club or diamond bid.
The penalty double was a reasonable action given a partner who might
not know to act over a pass of 4C, based on the view that when you don't know
what to do your should go for a likely plus score. Put North's queen in
spades rather than diamonds, or give East one less spade and one more red suit card and she might well have scored a top instead of a bottom.
I don't think that
N E S W
3C 3NT P
P 4C P P
4S P 5D
implies a red two suiter in the South hand. I think it suggests
playing diamonds, perhaps a hand that expected to make 3NT with
diamonds as a source of tricks. Obviously North will be able to
figure out that this is not the case on this hand, but I don't
know what North will make of 5D.
Fred.

but direct-seat double says you do know what to do. Certainly, your novice partner will always take it so.
Carl

I was suggesting that the doubler was uncertain, not that the
double would communicate that uncertainty to advancer. Bidding
should be a partnership activity, but when the understanding
isn't there to involve both partners in a decision one partner
may have to wing it.
Fred.
Fred.

But the advancer will take the double as a strong expression of opinion. Isn't it better to risk the chance that you defend 4C undoubled? Do you *really* expect a 2-trick set?

Carl