[Stephen Tu]

Scoring: MP

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GIB bids:
(p)-p-(1♦)-p;
(1♥)-p-(2♥)-dbl;
(p)-4♠???

Dbl is defined as "14-16" total points with 4+ spades, 4+ clubs. I think in that seat you should be able to double with somewhat less, and not be so shape constrained (maybe 4sp, 2-h, 3+c 3+d), and that this hand should give partner more rope to be able to push them a level. Failure to bid directly over 1d should also limit overall strength/spade length.

(3♣ would have made easily, 3♥ down 1, 4♠ down 2.)

[jdonn]

I certainly don't approve of 4♠ but I think you are asking a lot to have leeway programmed in on obar auctions. Not everyone would want that anyway.

[Stephen Tu]

I don't think I'm asking a lot for a little lower floor for the action, especially since it's a hand that passed over 1 diamond. Lowering the bound by say a Q or so would perhaps make the leap to 4s look quite a bit less attractive. Ruling out 5 spades (due to lack of overcall) might help also.

GIB would be better at MP IMO if it gave partner more rope to balance/double/otherwise compete over 2M, particularly when white, as it is now it often seems like I have choice of letting opps play 2M for a bad score, but if I do anything GIB often puts me in 4 unnecessarily, while a human would give me room to not be absolute max.

[arigreen]

Thanks Stephen for the report. I don't want to mess around with the minimum requirements for bidding here, especially since we're not always white at matchpoints, but one thing I can do is have the double promise exactly 4 spades. This should prevent GIB's simulations from ever choosing 4S with this type of hand.