[aguahombre]

2C/1D is pesky enough without that raise. I hate it when they support with support, probably as much as they hate it when we do. They have even taken away Good/Bad when their suit is clubs.

1♦(2♣) X (3♣)

Lets give me a minimum Neg Double .. JT8XX A8XX J KXX - just to have something to look at.


1) What does a Double of 3C by Opener show (in your world)?
2) With a weak opening (KQXX KX KTXXXX X) or a more balanced mini, does Opener have to just eat it and Pass?

3) Does my responding hand gut out a second Double with no Diamond Tolerance and weakness?
4) 3♠ in the passout seemed suicidal, but I did think about it before letting them have 3C.

[PhilKing]

1) What does a Double of 3C by Opener show (in your world)?

Either a) Diamonds, too good to bid 3♦ b) 4CM, too good to bid 3M or c) 18-20 balanced. It's not formally a game force, though thinking about it now, it probably should be. But if I double and then pull 3R to 3♠ that is definitely forcing anyway.

2) With a weak opening (KQXX KX KTXXXX X) or a more balanced mini, does Opener have to just eat it and Pass?

With good shape, I think we should always bid in an auction like this, so I would call 3♠ with no guilt.

3) Does my responding hand gut out a second Double with no Diamond Tolerance and weakness?

No. Definitely not.

4) 3♠ in the passout seemed suicidal, but I did think about it before letting them have 3C.

See 2. If the player with short clubs takes up the slack, we don't have to push as well.

[aguahombre]

PhilKing, on 2014-June-29, 13:30, said:

1) What does a Double of 3C by Opener show (in your world)?

Either a) Diamonds, too good to bid 3♦ b) 4CM, too good to bid 3M or c) 18-20 balanced. It's not formally a game force, though thinking about it now, it probably should be. But if I double and then pull 3R to 3♠ that is definitely forcing anyway.

2) With a weak opening (KQXX KX KTXXXX X) or a more balanced mini, does Opener have to just eat it and Pass?

With good shape, I think we should always bid in an auction like this, so I would call 3♠ with no guilt.

O.K. For you, the free-bids by Opener in this scenario are weak/competitive and the Double is all strong hands. That makes more sense than the other way around ---trying to sort out the nature of the double when it was weak/competitive and we have run out of room.

Strange we hadn't actually discussed this particular situation in all the time we have been partner'd.

[whereagles]

2C/1D is pesky enough without that raise.

Yup.

1♦(2♣) X (3♣) Lets give me a minimum Neg Double .. JT8xx A8xx J Kxx - just to have something to look at.

1) What does a Double of 3C by Opener show (in your world)?
2) With a weak opening (KQxx Kx KTxxxx x) or a more balanced mini, does Opener have to just eat it and Pass?
3) Does my responding hand gut out a second Double with no Diamond Tolerance and weakness?
4) 3♠ in the passout seemed suicidal, but I did think about it before letting them have 3C.

1. Good question. Probably 44 majors. No extras required, I suppose.
2. No. You eat it, flip a coin and bid 3M or 3♦.
3. I think so. Shape rules.
4. They have a fit, we should have one as well. Since there are singletons around, action should be quite safe.

[SteveMoe]

1) What does a Double of 3C by Opener show (in your world)? Balance of Power - Cooperative Penalty Double - 15+ HCP and ♠1-3 ♥1-3 ♦ 5-6 ♣2-3 cards. (Not a 1N opener). Denies 4 card Major. With two 4-card majors I bid a pass/correct ♥ at level. Partner only promises one major...
2) With a weak opening (KQXX KX KTXXXX X) or a more balanced mini, does Opener have to just eat it and Pass? Probably - though 3♦ would show length not extras...

3) Does my responding hand gut out a second Double with no Diamond Tolerance and weakness? Yes. Partner can bid a 3-card major with confidence now...
4) 3♠ in the passout seemed suicidal, but I did think about it before letting them have 3C. Thinking is an overbid....

BTW - it may be more common to double with both majors here - but that gives up too many penalty opportunities.