[Miron]

1♦ - 1♥ - 1NT - p
2♣ - x

What means the double?
Please try to explain why it shouldn't be any other choice.

Opps played polish club, but it doesn't matter here. You can take they play standard.

[Helmer]

Always take out. Pard passed - thats why.

If it shows 4 card spade - not always.

[Gerben42]

Take out, for example:

♠KQxx
♥AQJxx
♦Kxx
♣x

whereas 2♠ in this position would show more playing strength:

♠KQxx
♥AQJxxx
♦Ax
♣x

It can't be penalty, if you have ♣ you just pass and hope they don't go back to ♦ (yea dream on)

[Miron]

OK, thanks for comments.

Now modification:
Assume, that
1♦ - x
is an normal take out
OR
5+♥ & 4♠, (9)11-15

What would this double mean?
1♦ - 1♥ - 1NT - p
2♣ - x

[Miron]

Jlall, on Feb 27 2006, 03:22 AM, said:

takeout.

What hand it could be?

[awm]

If you'd normally double with 5+♥ and 4♠, there are fewer reasons for doubling here to be takeout. Nonetheless, it seems better to have general agreements about the meaning of doubles rather than try to come up with a huge list of special cases, and so I'd still interpret this as takeout. Some typical hands:

KQx
KJxxxx
AQx
x

JTxx
AQJxxx
x
Ax

The first hand has extra values, but the heart suit is not so great. It seems reasonable to suggest playing in spades if partner has 5♠, or even four good spades and short hearts.

The second hand does have four spades, but I would much prefer to overcall 1♥ with the substantial disparity in suit lengths and quality. This has the advantage of being a good lead director for example.

[kenberg]

With your added condition, I suppose an argument could be made for several different treaments. Without any particular discussion I don't see why it is not still for takeout. Something like extra values and a strong three card holding in spades. Often this is what it would turn out to be without the extra agreement, but I don't see why it changes (except you can be more confident that doubler doesn't hold four spades). I imagine partner will often bid hearts in response, and you will be in a strong 5-2 fit, but he can trot out something else if his hand warrants. I guess if he has a lot of clubs he can pass. I must be missing something, as this seems pretty straightforward to me.