[shevek]

Scoring: IMP

East (Klinger) opens 1♥ in 3rd seat. You are South

---

Yes, I guess I should have overcalled 2♣ but I doubled and it ended in tears. For those of you who think 2♣ is clear, how good would South's 2-4-1-6 have to be before you would consider double. Maybe you think there is no such animal.

[gwnn]

I think this is a clear 2♣ bid. Then the more hcp you add, the more it starts to look like a 3NT bid! Then when it becomes a non-minimal 2♣ opening, maybe you can double. The doubleton spade is a big big flaw, the relatively bad suit quality and everything in rho's suit is also bad.

[maggieb]

I think double is fine.

[ArtK78]

If the pointed suits were AQ and x I would double, intending to bid clubs later.

As it stands, it is a 2♣ overcall.

I make some very heavy overcalls, but there comes a point where the overcall becomes too heavy.

The problem with double with short spades is that partner is likely to bid spades. That problem is not so acute with AQ of spades. If partner jumps in spades, you should be able to bid 3NT. If partner jumps to 4♠, you may have a slam in a black suit.

[dellache]

At this position, I only bid 2♣ with sound values (otherwise bid 3♣). This allows pard with a passed hand to bid with 8+HCP. Hence I would double with more strength, compensating the fact that my holdings in the pointed suits are flawed.

To answer your question, change the ♣J into a ♣K, and I would double (admitedly sometimes reaching a poor final result), bidding 3♣ next if possible, 3NT over 3♠, and 5♣ over 4♠.

[Free]

Definitely 2♣, I think Dbl is aweful!
When would I double? If I have more useful points, like a solid or almost solid ♣ suit and ♥Axxx.

[pooltuna]

shevek, on Oct 23 2009, 06:56 AM, said:

Scoring: IMP

East (Klinger) opens 1♥ in 3rd seat. You are South

---

Yes, I guess I should have overcalled 2♣ but I doubled and it ended in tears. For those of you who think 2♣ is clear, how good would South's 2-4-1-6 have to be before you would consider double. Maybe you think there is no such animal.

X isn't the worst bid in the world I prefer to have enough to comfortably bid 2NT or 3♣ over 2♦ or 2♠

[gnasher]

pooltuna, on Oct 23 2009, 02:41 PM, said:

X isn't the worst bid in the world I prefer to have enough to comfortably bid 2NT or 3♣ over 2♦ or 2♠

You do have enough to comfortably bid 3♣ over 2♦ or 2♠.

The main danger of doubling on a one-suiter is that you'll be preempted and have to guess what to do at a high level. That's less of a worry on this hand, because they're unlikely to raise hearts beyond the two-level. I suppose that it might go
  1♥ dbl 2♦ pass
  3/4♦
or
  1♥ dbl 1♠ pass
  3♠
which would be annoying, but it's not that likely. All in all, I don't mind double, though I'd probably overcall 2♣ out of habit.

[Hanoi5]

Either black queen instead of Q of Diamonds and I'd double.

[aguahombre]

Pretty much what Gnasher says. I understand why double might be some people's choice, but it should show--if the hand is big like this one--either doubt about which trump suit to play, a stronger suit, or a big NT hand.

In this case you are only comfortable playing clubs as trump (or defending hearts), but not comfortable removing a diamond or spade bid by partner. Notrump will probably prove awkward to declare unless partner has nicely fitting clubs.

P.s., See Simple Rulings thread "legal double".

[andy_h]

I don't like double because our main suit is the lowest suit, clubs. I wouldn't particularly like it if partner jumps in spades or diamonds. I also don't consider this hand that great because of the stiff queen and the required entries from partner to hook some clubs. Not saying 2♣ is perfect but I'd probably need the stiff queen to be somewhere to x.

[jjbrr]

Would bid 2♣ at the table with the understanding that double certainly could work out better sometimes. Overall I think 2♣ is the winner.

[Jlall]

I prefer 2C, cannot really control the auction if it gets out of hand and I start with X.

[neilkaz]

This hand isn't super great. I like it lots, but need that stiff Q to be elsewhere to double.

[ggwhiz]

I'm alergic to 1 suited doubles that can't support ANYTHING else. I would rather gamble a 3nt bid.

Give me a 3rd spade and I'll think about the double but this is just a personal preference. I've gone for some REALLY bad results bidding 3nt on hands like this.

[the hog]

2C every day. Say hello to rdk for me.