[xcurt]

UNFAV, 4th, XIMPs,

86, AT42, AQT953, A

1♠-P-P-?

LHO will bid 4♠ over your call. What now, assuming this runs back to you?

[hanp]

2D and pass.

[JLOL]

Yeah don't double people who bid 4 after their partner passed a 1 bid.

[OleBerg]

2♦ and X.

4♠ at fav. can be anything.

[whereagles]

dbl^2

[effervesce]

2♦ was obvious the first round. I X on 2nd round - the hand is quite good with decent defense - sure there's the risk they're making but there's also a decent chance they get nailed for 300 or so, or we get a decent sac in 5D/5H.

[skjaeran]

OleBerg, on May 30 2009, 05:42 AM, said:

2♦ and X.

4♠ at fav. can be anything.

He didn't open 4♠, so, obviously, LHO has great playing strength.

[Phil]

JLOL, on May 29 2009, 11:37 PM, said:

Yeah don't double people who bid 4 after their partner passed a 1 bid.

So LOL has gone out of style?

[JLOL]

Phil, on May 30 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

JLOL, on May 29 2009, 11:37 PM, said:

Yeah don't double people who bid 4 after their partner passed a 1 bid.

So LOL has gone out of style?

A preemptive lol? When I posted no one had doubled yet. I don't think double is LOL anyways.

[mikeh]

I am not a believer in ELC, but I think I prefer an initial double over a bid of 2♦. partly because I have hearts on the side and partly because of my strength... doubling and bidding is not as strong, in balancing seat, as it is in direct, since we will balance with less than we would need for a direct overcall.

Either way, I would pass 4♠ next, but admit that the 2♦ call makes that slightly more comfortable than had I doubled....

[xcurt]

mikeh, on May 30 2009, 03:31 PM, said:

I am not a believer in ELC, but I think I prefer an initial double over a bid of 2♦. partly because I have hearts on the side and partly because of my strength... doubling and bidding is not as strong, in balancing seat, as it is in direct, since we will balance with less than we would need for a direct overcall.

I agreed with this and that's why I doubled. Is 2♦ getting us to 3NT opposite the most 6 or 7 counts with the ♦K and enough spade junk to stop the suit?

I doubled the second time, -690. Doubling twice was a blunder, I think. 2♦ might get partner to bid 5♦ on his 1543 with the ♥Q and ♦K, or it might not.

After much reflection, I like balancing with 3♦, but nobody has mentioned that call. Keeps 3NT in the picture, focuses on the spade stop and ♦K, still gives us a chance to recover a 5-4 heart fit, and if we get pushed to the 5 level I would rather play diamonds than a weak 4-4 (or even a weak 5-4) anyway, and helps partner with the 5-level decision by at least getting one suit bid.

[aguahombre]

Darn close to 3D Balance. Jack of diamonds instead of ten.

[neilkaz]

I think I'll double the first time but don't mind 3♦ but do think there's a bit much potential here for a balancing 2♦.

As for the 2nd double, I really don't see the IMP odds from doing so. Pass the 2nd time noting opener may have a red suit void. Most definately pass the 2nd time vs opps with a typical North American requirement for a really good hand for 2♣ as opener may not need much from dummy for 10 tricks.

[gnasher]

xcurt, on May 31 2009, 11:16 PM, said:

Doubling twice was a blunder, I think. 2♦ might get partner to bid 5♦ on his 1543 with the ♥Q and ♦K, or it might not.

He shouldn't pass a double of 4♥ on either auction.

On the first round I think it's close between double and 2♦. After either action, when 4♠ comes back to you it's tempting to have another go, as long as partner is going to do something sensible rather than something ridiculous. The main problem is that partner will pull to 5♣ quite often, and you won't know what to do.

The disadvantage of 3♦ in the first round is that it buries the heart suit. You're not really expecting to be preempted, so you can usually afford to take it slowly.

[benlessard]

Quote

I am not a believer in ELC, but I think I prefer an initial double over a bid of 2♦. partly because I have hearts on the side and partly because of my strength... doubling and bidding is not as strong, in balancing seat, as it is in direct, since we will balance with less than we would need for a direct overcall.

Either way, I would pass 4♠ next, but admit that the 2♦ call makes that slightly more comfortable than had I doubled....

Agree with all except the last phrase. Once 4S come back to me im slightly glad that ive X instead of 2D. Partner wasnt able to bid 5C over 4S so its likely hes got balanced crap. Its possible we got a good safe but its possible they go down.

[OleBerg]

skaeran, on May 30 2009, 11:50 AM, said:

OleBerg, on May 30 2009, 05:42 AM, said:

2♦ and X.

4♠ at fav. can be anything.

He didn't open 4♠, so, obviously, LHO has great playing strength.

Yes, maybe I wasn't specific enough.

What I meant was, that opener does nor need much in highcards for this sequence. But he might have it.