[lenze]

This auction is simple. Partner opens a minor and RHO bids 1 Heart. In the old days, a bid of 1 spade would promise a 5 card suit and minimal + values, where a negative double would show a four card spade suit. Lately, however, some theorists have suggested that a bid of 1 spade should only show a 4 card suit, and that the double should only promise three. My current partner and I have come to a compromise, that the double denies spades as good as QTxx. I would appreciate your thoughts.

[inquiry]

This is an area where I play different ways with different players... But when I can, I follow the instructions of Robson/Segal in their book "Partnership bidding at bridge." R/S say about this very issue... on page 184....

"North East South
1C 1H DBL

What does the double guarantee? What does it deny? It is probably no big deal but we would like to suggest (contrary to popular practice) that a double in this sequence shoud deny a fair four card major."

This is exactly how I play this when I can (partner specific of course)... Even 1C-1D-X denies a good 4 card major....

This is of course, as noted by R/S not the popular treatment.

[luis]

1c (1h) dbl

I like to play that 1s is forcing and promises only 4+ spades.
So I like to play this double as showing spades and diamonds or a balanced game forcing hand without a bidable suit.

[the hog]

If you open 3 and 2 card Cs with a 1C opening, then to have the X show the minors is invaluable.
If there had been no interference over the 1C opening you would have bid 1S anyway, so whats the big deal now with differentiating between 4 and 5. You can always use a support X if the opps up the stakes with 2H.

Ron

[Codo]

Hi Ron et al,

most people agree to play support doubles till 2 Spade or so.
So you and all 4 card 1 Spade bidder will have problems with the bidding:

1m (1H) 1S (3H)

you now face an ugly descission with balanced 4 cards or unbalanced 3 card support for pd.

I don`t know how often I will face this problem compared with the one to show both minors after
a 1 Club opening in a natural system.

To mix the meanings, f.e. denying spades with the double has some merits. I just cannot see them.
For my simple mind it is perfect to bid 1 Spade with 5 and any strength and to double with 4 Spades.

Kind Regards

Roland