[wank]

nige1, on Dec 24 2009, 11:01 PM, said:

gnasher, on Dec 24 2009, 01:36 PM, said:

Furthermore, if partner is passing the double on that, he's also passing it on Axxx Ax Jxxx Axxx, so we still miss 3NT.  Does that mean that double is never going to do us any good?

IMO Double will work more often than other calls and Gnasher's example
♠ Axx(x) ♥ Ax ♦ Jxx(x) ♣ Axx(x) illustrates why. Opposite your
♠ Kx ♥ xx ♦ Qxx ♣ KQxxxx

• 3N is excellent and partner may bid it, especially if your responsive double denies four ♠s.
  
  
• 3♥X is will probably be defeated by two tricks.
  
  
• Higher contracts by either side are against the odds.

really? i see 3hX rolling home on this magical layout

Two rounds of hearts to start (no double-dummy leads please)

if clubs are 3-1 declarer has the tempo to establish 2 spades giving him, 2 spades, 2 diamonds, 5 hearts. plus anyway, the diamonds are probably frozen for the defence.

double is a great bid for BBO vugraph commentators - seeing all the hands it allows you to find the right contract and, if relevant, the right defence. back in the real world, it's not remotely descriptive.