[JLOGIC]

3D promising 5530 is nice since that can still be your fit, and it is big for slam purposes for partner to be able to guarantee that you have a void. Also with 5521 and a strong hand you want to leave 3C X in the game.

[neilkaz]

JLOGIC, on 2012-April-29, 07:01, said:

For an expert, double is completely standard operating procedure in this spot with this hand. It shows extras, almost always exactly 5-5, not 5530 (3D). It is simply superior to bidding 3H or whatever because partner sometimes has a pass, there is no reason he cant be 2245, or 2254 with some trumps and we have them massacred. Sure, 90+ % of the time he will bid 4H or 3H but then we haven't lost anything.

That said, I have noticed that few non experts know this bid. This thread supports that. Perhaps it is not frequent enough and is not written about commonly.

Great post! One this that has become apparent to me from both kibbing hands this week at the US team trials and from listening to the pros go over hands at dinner and other times is that this double and quite are few others than are as routine as tieing one's shoes to pros are rather unknown or would be missunderstood by the average player. Many, such as this which makes perfect sense if you pause and think are not in most books and might even be unknown or untaught by the so-called expert who gives lessons at the local club.

.. neilkaz ..