[Hanoi5]

I have learnt (and teach) that when partner doubles for take-out (or doubles negatively) Majors are the suits that should be bid. However, sometimes the opponents just won't let us have our way:

♠K7
♥T863
♦74
♣AKJ95

It goes:

1♦ X 3♦ ???

I suppose 4♦ could be taken as showing both Majors (if not, that's the bid, for sure). 4♣ looks better but then you might miss the heart fit (if there is any). 4♥ should be out of the question I suppose. 5♣ seems too one-sided, what then?

[Fluffy]

double

[dake50]

If I X, then what do I do over 3S? Hope partner intended X then suit? Or now he's picking his better M fearing to defend? 4C now showing I had H-interest all along? Let partner rebid 6xS?

I like 4C. It is the suit I have. And I did bid up here at the 4-level.

[jdonn]

Double is wtp. 2 places to play. 4♣ over 3♠ which also shows hearts.

[barryallen]

The only concern I have is bypassing 3NT when partner may have a double stop in ♦? X should get the job done without too many issues?

[OleBerg]

Double is so easy. It virtually guaranties that I have 4 in one major and 4 or 5 (or maybe 6) clubs.

[helene_t]

OleBerg, on Jun 27 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Double is so easy. It virtually guaranties that I have 4 in one major and 4 or 5 (or maybe 6) clubs.

Could also be a slightly weaker hand with 4-4 majors intending to pass partner's next bid.

[cherdanno]

barryallen, on Jun 27 2009, 11:03 AM, said:

The only concern I have is bypassing 3NT when partner may have a double stop in ♦? X should get the job done without too many issues?

When you are short on space and partner made a takeout double, it seems a good idea to stop worrying whether he has a double stop in their suit.

[barryallen]

cherdanno, on Jun 27 2009, 01:17 PM, said:

barryallen, on Jun 27 2009, 11:03 AM, said:

The only concern I have is bypassing 3NT when partner may have a double stop in ♦? X should get the job done without too many issues?

When you are short on space and partner made a takeout double, it seems a good idea to stop worrying whether he has a double stop in their suit.

I must admit to the X being selfish for taking up all that space, just because as a secondary to finding a ♥ fit, it never stymied an impossible holding from partner!

[OleBerg]

helene_t, on Jun 27 2009, 07:25 PM, said:

OleBerg, on Jun 27 2009, 06:22 PM, said:

Double is so easy. It virtually guaranties that I have 4 in one major and 4 or 5 (or maybe 6) clubs.

Could also be a slightly weaker hand with 4-4 majors intending to pass partner's next bid.

I sit corrected.

[ONEferBRID]

1m - X - 3m - X = Responsive DBL
MOST sources say this shows 4-4 in the Majors,
and asks partner to pick one . ( Partner may only
be 4-3 in the Majors--either way ).

For the present case you have enough values to bid, and with only ONE
4 card Major, as lousey as it is, that is your bid:

1D - X - 3D - 3H

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
One source did say that the Responsive DBL shows at least 4 cards in 2 of the unbid suits, so you need prior agreements.

[Fluffy]

why do you put rules for the unnecesary?, double shows the will for partner to suggest a trump. Take out double, not much else really needs to be specified.

[OleBerg]

ONEferBRID, on Jun 28 2009, 04:21 PM, said:

1m -  X -  3m  - X = Responsive DBL
                                MOST sources say this shows 4-4  in the Majors,
                                and asks partner to pick one . ( Partner may only
                                be 4-3 in the Majors--either way ).

For the present case you have enough values to bid, and with only ONE
4 card Major, as lousey as it is, that is your bid:

1D  -  X  -  3D  - 3H

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
One source did say that the Responsive DBL shows at least 4 cards in 2 of the unbid suits, so you need prior agreements.

Sorry if I am being a bit of an ass, but this is a forum for advanced players and experts. I don't know your "sources", but such are typically for players learning the game i.e. beginners or intermediate.

I will not disagree to a claim that some advanced players might use such sources. But it would be rather meaningless to have this forum, if the things that were discussed should simply be settled by referring to "sources".

[ONEferBRID]

Geez..... I didn't realize the experts here don't play "standard" Responsive DBLS,
but that 1m - X - 3m - X = scattered values, bid something... anything....
and hope we don't get too high.

[OleBerg]

ONEferBRID, on Jun 28 2009, 08:11 PM, said:

Geez..... I didn't realize the experts here don't play "standard" Responsive DBLS,...

That's why they're experts.

[jdonn]

ONEferBRID, on Jun 28 2009, 01:11 PM, said:

Geez..... I didn't realize the experts here don't play "standard" Responsive DBLS,
but that 1m - X - 3m - X = scattered values, bid something... anything....
and hope we don't get too high.

Right, much safer to just bid your Txxx suit and cross your fingers that partner doesn't have just three of it!

[ONEferBRID]

Hanoi... please post partner's hand ( the T/O doubler ).

[Hanoi5]

Partner had:
♠Axx
♥AQJxx
♦A
♣QTxx

This was taken from a Bridge World Bidding contest, I made up the other two hands, problem is responder didn't pre-empt in the BW version, while in mine he did. I had not even thought about the responsive double, but I'm sure it's the right answer.

[aguahombre]

i guess that is why, when in the overcall range, we overcall.

[ONEferBRID]

Partner had the "strong" T/O DBL ..... and Advancer can't get into trouble no matter what !
Partner is going to bid a 4H game over Advancer's ( incorrect Responsive) DBL or the correct 3H call.
And if Partner's Major's were switched, he'd bid 4S after a "Responsive" DBL
( since it ostensibly shows BOTH 4 card Majors ) and make 12 tricks
as long as Spades are no worse than 4-2 ... go figure:

Overcaller Advancer
♠A Q J x x ......... K 7
♥A x x .............. T x x x
♦A.................... x x
♣Q T x x .......... A K J 9 x

1D - DBL - 3D - 3H ( 4h and no 4s )
p - 3S(strong) - p - 4C
p - 4D - p - 4S
all pass