[sharon j]

What does this double by North mean? How many points and does it mean 3+ Clubs & Spades?

North=P East=P South=1D West=1H
=Dble

I'm never sure what to expect when a passed hand doubles the opponent's overcall.

[pbleighton]

Partner has 4 spades, the same as if she wasn't a passed hand.

Peter

[P_Marlowe]

North dbl means the same, you just have
the add. information that your partner is
limited, i.e. after the dbl you know, he has
6-(-)12 HCP, if he would be unpassed, than you
would only know +6HCP.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[barmar]

P_Marlowe, do you often make takeout doubles with only 6 HCP?

For an unpassed hand, a takeout double usually shows at least the strength of an opening hand. If a passed hand doubles, he's just a little lower than opening strength, usually 10-11 HCP. I'd also expect most of his strength to be in the unbid suits.

With less strength and more distribution (e.g. 6-9 HCP and 5-5 in the inbid suits), a passed hand can bid 1NT. This is basically the same as Unusual 2NT, but there's no need to jump because a passed hand can't have a strong NT.

[P_Marlowe]

barmar, on Oct 6 2006, 02:57 PM, said:

P_Marlowe, do you often make takeout doubles with only 6 HCP?

For an unpassed hand, a takeout double usually shows at least the strength of an opening hand.  If a passed hand doubles, he's just a little lower than opening strength, usually 10-11 HCP.  I'd also expect most of his strength to be in the unbid suits.

With less strength and more distribution (e.g. 6-9 HCP and 5-5 in the inbid suits), a passed hand can bid 1NT.  This is basically the same as Unusual 2NT, but there's no need to jump because a passed hand can't have a strong NT.

.-) wrong terminology, neg. X instead of take out.
Although our t/o doubles oppossite a passed partner
are light, ... very light.
My partner insisted on a lower bound to prevent me
from bidding with 0HCP .-), but I wont reveal the limit.

It is not everyones cup of coffee, but we do it regardless
of the opponents strength, to see, if it works.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[sharon j]

thanks for the reply. So, just to make sure I understand:

N = P E= P S=1D W=1H
N= Dble

This is a Negative double & shows 6+pts & 4 spades (over the 1H overcall)

What would a dble by a passed hand mean in the following bid sequence?

N=P E=P S=P W=1H
N=Dble

This is a takeout dble? What does it show?

Thanks for the help

[P_Marlowe]

sharon j, on Oct 7 2006, 03:16 PM, said:

thanks for the reply.  So, just to make sure I understand:

N = P  E= P  S=1D  W=1H
N= Dble

This is a Negative double & shows 6+pts  & 4 spades (over the 1H overcall)

What would a dble by a passed hand mean in the following bid sequence?

N=P E=P S=P W=1H
N=Dble

This is a takeout dble?  What does it show? 

Thanks for the help

Hi,

that is a t/o dbl.

However you play t/o dbl by an unpassed hand
(shape oriented, i.e. at least 3 card for all other suits
or only mayor oriented or just value showing),
in this seq. it shows at least 3 cardsin the unbid suits)
(if there are only 2 unbid suits, it promises 4-4) and
shortage in the bid suit.
Also it shows a certain strenth, say +8/9HCP, but
it would be ok to make the bid with 6/7 HCP and
5-4-4-0 shape.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: Dont forget the upper limit, i.e. those bids do not only
promise +6, you are also limited by your first Pass.

[barmar]

Sharon, to make it easier for us to read your posts, please leave out the "N =", "E =". Just post the auction like in a bidding diagram:

P P 1♦ 1♥
X

[sharon j]

thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I will also remember to show the bid
sequence correctly in the future .