[Phil]

See title

xxx Jx xxxx KQTx

1N - pass - 2♣ - ?

If the vulnerability matters, say so.

[jjbrr]

no

[plarq]

what do you double for?

Tell your pard to attack club? What if the auction ends in Major?

[kfay]

I had a very bad experience the one time I did this.

As further deterrent... sometimes partner raises!

[jjbrr]

plarq, on May 18 2010, 08:13 AM, said:

what do you double for?

Tell your pard to attack club? What if the auction ends in Major?

Them declaring a major contract and partner leading a club is probably the best thing that can happen if we double lol

[andy_h]

Definitely not.

[gwnn]

I would sometimes double at matchpoints. not at imps. I would not double opps who are known to redouble on almost anything.

[rogerclee]

I'd always double.

[mikeh]

Against good opps, no way I'd double at imps. It only takes a redoubled overtrick (or two or 3) to teach one to swing low with a 4 card suit....I remember, many years ago with a slightly different scoring table, going +1110 in 2minor redoubled after a 2♦ forcing stayman bid (it was an interesting push when our teammates managed to go -1100).

However, at mps I'd do it. A club lead will be good for us more often than they can/will play in 2♣.

[ArtK78]

Agree with Mikeh. A club lead is going to be our best lead more often than not, most likely resulting in a trick or two better than any other lead. That is all I need to know about at matchpoints. Worth the occasional large minus number.

At IMPs it is too dangerous.

[aguahombre]

Might double if playing IMPs with the same teamates who brought back 2CXX making five several years ago. Revenge is sweet. Phil knows the pair. Mama was not happy with son. But they are both GLM's and dear friends.

Most recent experience against this double was at MP, where we only could make two overtricks.

[whereagles]

I would always double because all other leads rate to be disastrous for our side.

[Jlall]

Only at MP. I think it's really bad at imps, it contains obvious risks and does not gain often enough (most of the time they are going to bid game and be cold on any lead).

At MP getting a club lead and saving a trick seems frequent enough to offset the downsides.

One hidden downside of a double like this is when you have a real double partner is going to be much less prone to compete, or he will compete and go for a number too often when you have something like this... most likely somewhere in the middle.

[gnasher]

Jlall, on May 18 2010, 06:33 PM, said:

I think it's really bad at imps, it contains obvious risks and does not gain often enough (most of the time they are going to bid game and be cold on any lead).

A way for the double to gain at IMPs is by talking them out of a cold 3NT and into some suit contract where they have several club losers. With Axx opposite xxx, each opponent will tend to expect a doubleton opposite.

I still wouldn't do it, though - far too risky.

[bluecalm]

I am happy doubler at both imps and mp's (despite being redoubled twice recently) but I think if we didn't discuss style of such doubles with partner it should be avoided.

[Phil]

aguahombre, on May 18 2010, 11:17 AM, said:

Might double if playing IMPs with the same teamates who brought back 2CXX making five several years ago. Revenge is sweet. Phil knows the pair. Mama was not happy with son. But they are both GLM's and dear friends.

Most recent experience against this double was at MP, where we only could make two overtricks.

Such a small world. Mom and son are usually the teammates on Monday nights of a certain foul tempered pro from this area who was in my seat at the other table when this was played.

He doubled. I didn't and we both defended 4H. Our partners held the Ax of clubs and a meaningless stray Q or two. Declarer held xxx of clubs and my teammate chose to ruff the club with the QH and hook into my Jx so a game swing was created with the x.

[the hog]

kfay, on May 18 2010, 09:13 PM, said:

I had a very bad experience the one time I did this.

As further deterrent... sometimes partner raises!

Also sometimes opener redoubles with AJxxx Clubs.
Anyway, for me a x of 2C shows a hand willing to compete, particularly if they play garbage stayman.

I well remember a hand from the SWPT where rho doubled a 3H relay on KTxxx. I passed holding AQJ of H, partner xx showing a shortage in S and that is where we played it, making 4.

[jdonn]

The better your opponents the less you should do this. I would do it usually at mps, usually not at imps, but always vs opponents who will never play 2♣XX.

[mikegill]

I would never double at IMPs. MPs I wouldn't if I respected my opponents unless I thought I needed a top.

[aguahombre]

jdonn, on May 18 2010, 08:44 PM, said:

The better your opponents the less you should do this. I would do it usually at mps, usually not at imps, but always vs opponents who will never play 2♣XX.

Pard has had practice playing 4-2 fits from the short side and does very well. She hasn't given me the opportunity as often, knowing my shortcomings. Should we pre-alert?