[Hanoi5]

My partner could double spades and diamonds asking for a lead in those suits. I also lead a heart.

[jdonn]

MFA, on Oct 1 2008, 06:46 AM, said:

Note that the big gain comes when partner doesn't double, because we could then try a ♠ or a ♦ instead of the hopeless and dangerous singleton.

Does the big loss come when declarer is 6-4, partner didn't double because he thought you had a doubleton, and the heart ruff was the only way to beat it? Or does it come when declarer is 6-4, partner doubles thinking you have a singleton, and you don't beat it at all?

Hanoi5, on Oct 1 2008, 08:45 AM, said:

My partner could double spades and diamonds asking for a lead in those suits. I also lead a heart.

You would double 2♠ with a void, just in case they are about to bid a slam (in some other suit!) and your partner will be on lead, praying they forget to play the hand there the other 95% of the time? Good luck with that

What would heart leaders be leading if you had six spades (or diamonds) with your singleton heart? How about seven?

[Walddk]

jdonn, on Oct 1 2008, 08:07 PM, said:

MFA, on Oct 1 2008, 06:46 AM, said:

Note that the big gain comes when partner doesn't double, because we could then try a ♠ or a ♦ instead of the hopeless and dangerous singleton.

Does the big loss come when declarer is 6-4, partner didn't double because he thought you had a doubleton, and the heart ruff was the only way to beat it? Or does it come when declarer is 6-4, partner doubles thinking you have a singleton, and you don't beat it at all?

Hi Johs,

I can't speak for Michael, but don't expect to get a reply for at least 3 weeks. As I wrote above, he is on his way to Beijing as I'm writing this and won't return until the 20th. He may have other things on his mind even if he has access to the internet.

Roland

[gnasher]

jdonn, on Oct 1 2008, 07:07 PM, said:

Does the big loss come when declarer is 6-4, partner didn't double because he thought you had a doubleton, and the heart ruff was the only way to beat it?

I don't think that the 6-4 problem is particularly likely. People often treat 6-4s as one-suiters, especially if the suit is of the sort that could withstand a 4-1 break.

If you know that partner will double when he has five hearts and a round ace, and you are likely to be able to guess whether his double is of this type or of the void-showing type, then on average you'll be better off than if you didn't have this knowledge. That is true even if occasionally the additional information causes you to do the wrong thing when otherwise you'd have done the right thing.

Quote

Or does it come when declarer is 6-4, partner doubles thinking you have a singleton, and you don't beat it at all?

If his ace is in trumps you will still beat the contract; if his ace is in hearts the loss will probably be only 6 IMPs.


I think that the most likely cause of a big loss is when opening leader is uncertain whether he is being asked to lead his singleton or to give his partner a ruff. That wouldn't apply on this hand, but it would do if we had a six-card suit.