Hi Fred,
Quote
Inquiry (Ben) has mentioned in almost every post possible how wonderful the approach to bidding is that is expounded by Robson and Segal. (Just kidding Ben)
Yes, double with your hands is the right start, at least in three of the four potential auctions see below. Let me point out something you will eventually read in the book about someone DOUBLING (TAKEOUT) and then bidding a new suit. It is either a really strong hand (they call it a GOSH), or a scramble. Since the primary auction you gave....1C-(1S)-? responder with any good hand plus would simply bid 2H, so a double followed by a pull to hearts is always a scramble.
No, I don't think you were kidding. This is a reasonable understanding of what I have been doing. Mainly as an advocate to get enough interest in R/S's book to get the publisher to push out volume II, but a little to explain some of my non-standard options for bids.
Glad you like the book. It uses not only FIT JUMPS, but you will probably get bent a little out of shape by the FIT NONJUMPS at the three level as well... you will wonder how in the world are you to bid perfectly normal hands when you get there.
So let's examine your three hands if you are playing fit jumps (it is interesting you didn't ask about if they double, but I will address this one in the last example.
Your old auction... 1C 1S 3H (weak) holding
xx
KJT9xx
xx
Kxx
or
x
AQJTxx
xxx
xxx
Ok, for those not up on Fit Jumps, you can not bid 3H here on these two hands, because that would show something like: Qxxx AJ9xx Qx xx. Second these hands are too offensive in nature to consider passing (may miss 4Hs). And you have the worse holding in spades for a pass to intice your partner to reopen. You can often get by with a pass if you are long in their suit, but with a singleton and doubleton, partner will likely have length and thus be less likely to balance. Hand one is clearly not good enough for a forcing 2H call. So with hand 1 you are forced to double playing R/S. Partner will often bid 2H with three to an honor on this auction (over 1Sx), keep reading R/S to find out why. When partner bids 2/3C or 2/3 diamond, you rebid a scrambling 2/3H. If partner can't stand hearts, you will end up back in clubs as partner tries to find a better spot (one way...1C-(1S)-X-(P)-2C-(P)-2H-(P)-2S/2N-(P)-3C. With hand 2, you made the heart suit too good, and gave me a singleton spade. I would simply bid a forcing 2H and then rebid 3Hs (not forcing).
Experiences shows the worse that can happen on hand one is your opponents have found their spade fit with the overcall, and there is a barrage spade bid. Now, partner with clubs and diamonds might be in there with a diamond bid. But, partner should try to remain flexible, your 1S-X place heavy emphasis on hearts (Read chapter 5). Partner with 1-3-4-5 and values should double a raise to 2/3S rather than just blast to 3/4D. Since you showed HEARTS, his double shows a heart tolerance but a real diamond suit.
or
1H 1S 3D (weak) holding the same hands as above but the long suit would be diamonds.
This turns out to be easier I think... let's look at a few hands
x
xxx I probably probably bid 2D now, and
AQJTxx raise hearts to the three level if RHO raises
xxx spades. If I bid H's immediately, partner may
lead one when (if) they out bid us.
xxx I pass, I expect partner to reopen or that I
x will get a chance to show D later
AQJTxx
xxx
xx
xx Perfect double/followed by scramble hand. Heck
KJT98x if partner rebids 2H you might just let him play
Kxx in his six card suit at the two level
R/S advocates passing with some really fine hands. One part I have had great success with the past year plus is this auction
1C-1D-DBL
1C-1H-DBL
1D-1H-DBL
The last two auctions DENY a four card or longer spade suit. The first denys four cards in either major. They advocate simply bidding the suit if you have it (or fit jump with five and fit for partners minor).
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