[Apollo81]

Auction is:

(3♥)-pass-(4NT*)-???
(pass)-pass-(5♥)-Dbl

* some form of RKC or Blackwood or whatever

Not looking for "my partner and I play this as..." or "the best way to play this is...."
I'm looking for how you would interpret these auctions at the table with a first time expert partner if undiscussed.

I fear some may misinterpret what is being asked in the poll; the first double is obviously cards. I am asking what the second double means if it was (1) preceded by a double (2) preceded by a pass

[whereagles]

1st dbl = take out, anti psych (4NT could be just a joke from RHO)
2nd dbl = extras, penalty

[bid_em_up]

In the case of double, double, I would treat both of these doubles as "I have big hand, with no good bid of my own, but my RHO is a joker". Both doubles are essentially takeout, but are also penalty oriented. After all, partner cant really be expecting a trump stack in your hand, can he? (Nor can he really hold one of his own.)

This is about the only way of exposing a "tactical" 4N bid. Consider how you would treat the 2nd X had the auction gone (3H)-p-(5H)-X, and treat it the same way.

In the case of pass, double, the second double would be strictly penalty in my book. What are we going to take the double out to? 5S, 6 of a minor? When we dont even know 5H is making? This would be absurd.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

without the first dbl, the second dbl
may be a lightner, fairly unusual, but
they exist.
The first dbl is penalty, and the 2nd
as well.

With kind regards
Marlowe