Posted 2010-December-01, 11:26
I think the most popular way to play the first double is more or less as used at the table....good, long clubs, but with a hand or suit, or both, not good enough to bid 3♣....the double is a 'coward's way' of bidding 3♣ and I don't mean that in a pejorative sense.
I surely would not have bid 2♦ which, imo, should show the shape and the values for what it is: a reverse.
The second double is penalty. I don't think it can be a 'mikeh hand' of 4=3=3=3, because we have already shown primary clubs, so partner can either compete in clubs or cue 3♠ if sufficiently strong.
It is possible that the opps have stumbled into a 4-3 fit (we have seen examples of hideous 4 card overcalls in these fora), since otherwise it is difficult to see how partner did not have a notrump bid or a negative double last time while still having a penalty double now....maybe he is something like KJ9x Kxx xxxxx x? Of course, opposite that, we haven't beaten 2♠ yet, but we can hardly run to 3♦ (or 2N)
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari