[gnasher]

han, on Oct 20 2008, 02:39 PM, said:

I think it is a big overbid, and I really don't see any reason to do it. I just don't understand why anybody would choose such a bid so I think it is silly in that sense.  If you want to overcall 1NT this light then you should just agree to do so. If you agree not to do so then you shouldn't. I think.

Doesn't all of that apply to double as well? I'm not defending a 1NT overcall, but I don't think double is any less of an overbid. The only difference is what is being overstated: 1NT overstates the high card strength, and double overstates the playing strength.

[han]

I don't think double overstates playing strength. I think it gives the wrong picture of our hand type. If partner bids game expecting it to make then he'll probably make it opposite this hand. However, the main danger is that partner will overcompete.

[P_Marlowe]

han, on Oct 20 2008, 11:54 AM, said:

I don't think double overstates playing strength. I think it gives the wrong picture of our hand type. If partner bids game expecting it to make then he'll probably make it opposite this hand. However, the main danger is thaat partner will overcompete.

For me: 1NT would overstate the high cards I am holding.
X would obverstate the support I have for the unbid suits.

And since I like to compete agressively, if I think I have found
a (double) fit, this is much worser, than if partner claims I
happen to hold 15HCP, when he is just holding 14HCP, which
happen to be based on Aces and Kings.

Hence I prefer 1 NT to X, if I cant pass, since X will more likely
lead to overcompeting.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: I am also passing as well, if the 4 card suit happens
is not diamonds, make the diamond suit xxx, and I will
agree, that now a t/o is better.

[Apollo81]

han, on Oct 20 2008, 12:54 PM, said:

I don't think double overstates playing strength. I think it gives the wrong picture of our hand type. If partner bids game expecting it to make then he'll probably make it opposite this hand. However, the main danger is thaat partner will overcompete.

agree with this

[cherdano]

pclayton, on Oct 20 2008, 09:13 AM, said:

I kind of like double, since this is a pretty good 14. If you are getting in with a 4333, there isn't much difference between this and if the hand had ♦xxx/♣ATxx, which I'll bet everyone is doubling on. Its the 4333 12 counts that turn my stomach.

Hmm, I find it a big difference, and I would certainly double with the minors reversed.

[MFA]

cherdano, on Oct 20 2008, 03:40 PM, said:

pclayton, on Oct 20 2008, 09:13 AM, said:

I kind of like double, since this is a pretty good 14. If you are getting in with a 4333, there isn't much difference between this and if the hand had ♦xxx/♣ATxx, which I'll bet everyone is doubling on. Its the 4333 12 counts that turn my stomach.

Hmm, I find it a big difference, and I would certainly double with the minors reversed.

Me too.

[benlessard]

I dont make offshape double, or crappy overcall and we are sound in balancing seat and still we dont miss a lot of game. We are sometimes out of the bidding in partscore battles but the upside of lead directing & penalty doubles compensate for most of the missed games/partscore. Even if we give a hand strong enough where everybody agree that its strong enough to take action, people would be surprised of how small the equity difference is between passing vs bidding.

Passing is a very underrated bid.
Imo its a psychological glitch that biased people toward acting instead of not acting. That is why poker pro are able to make a living.