[Hanoi5]

Doubling in competition can lead to problems when both partners are not in synchrony. I found these doubles problematic:

P (P) 1cl (1he)
P (1sp) P (1nt)
P (x)

How would you play such a double? What would you expect doubler to have?

1di (2di) P (2he)
3di (3he) P (P)
X

How is that double played?

1sp (2cl) Pa (2sp)
3he (X)

Partner showed 11+ with support or 13+ without support. What is the best meaning for such a double?

[Cyberyeti]

First one need one more or one fewer bid before the x, atm he's xing his pard

[ahydra]

The first one is inadmissible .

The second one is... a little suicidal. Opener has denied huge values (no double of 2H) but should still have have some extra values as partner could have nothing. Perhaps "DSIP based on your heart holding" like Axx x AQJxxx KQx? Or maybe opener is doubling for penalties with something like 1462 shape? As responder I'd look at my hand and try to guess, but I imagine on most hands I'll try either 3NT if I've got a stop or 4D if I haven't.

A good use for the third one would be thrump, looking for stops (specifically a spade stop, since 3S is still available and with two suits shown by opps you show rather than ask) for 3NT which overcaller is hoping will make on the basis of the supposed club fit. Something like xx Axx Qx AKJxxx. The alternative would be values/penalty-oriented, but I don't think that's as good a use as opener is likely to have a fair bit of shape.

ahydra

[gwnn]

First one is absurd (if it's opener making it). I guess it's a "penalty pass" of spades? KJTx Kx Ax AQJxx?? Of course if it's "responder" who doubled then it's a penalty pass of hearts. Pretty sure you meant opener though as it's more likely to put one less pass rather than one more.

Second one, only thing that makes sense is "I really wanna bid 4D but you can pass if you want. I don't just have diamonds." AQ - AJTxxxxx Kxx??

Third one is std to play as penalty but probably just a strongish hand is best, maybe it would make sense to show/deny stoppers in the majors but I wonder in which way around.

I'm making these up as I go along!

[Hanoi5]

P (P) 1cl (1he)
P (1sp) P (1nt)
2cl (x)

Small detail. Sorry for not checking before publishing.

[gwnn]

That's just a max passed hand with spades and nothing good to bid.

[kenberg]

On this revised auction I would think as follows: As gwnn says, surely he is somewhere around a max, or I would hope he would have passed. And he is unsure of where is the best spot. This probably means he has some clubs. That's because if he had three hearts he would know what to do, bid hearts. Maybe even if he had Kx. He certainly doesn't have six spades. And if he had diamond length he could have made my live easier by just bidding 2D. So he has decent values and is prepared to have 2C passed out if I think that best, but he is not really expecting me to pass.

These situations get tricky. I don't think he should make that double unless he is reasonably prepared for you to pass with, say, a decent four card club holding. If he knows that it should not be played in 2CX, why double? So it's not a penalty double, but he has a hand suitable for a pass by you even if you do not have a super stack.

[SteveMoe]

1) Revised: Balance of Power. We own the hand. aka DSIP: Do something intelligent partner, knowing I cannot raise ♥.
2) Takeout. Expecting 6331 or 6430 shape and great power.
3) Penalty. Operating on the assumption that partner's cue bid creates a force, double here needs no other meaning.

[rmnka447]

+1 for Steve Moe's response.