[straube]

whereagles, on 2010-December-07, 09:21, said:

There is a recurring discusion on whether 3♣ 2nd round is forcing or not. We all agree it should show some extras, but whether "extras" means like 18 isn't clear-cut.

What 2NT would show now isn't also clear. At least to me it isn't. Are we going to pass with a balanced 18-20?

I think it's clear that a simple raise shouldn't deprive doubler from showing his strong hands.

[han]

whereagles, on 2010-December-07, 09:21, said:

There is a recurring discusion on whether 3♣ 2nd round is forcing or not. We all agree it should show some extras, but whether "extras" means like 18 isn't clear-cut.

I've never heard anybody say that 3C is forcing, never. I think most people agree that double followed by 3C is strong, just like your normal double and bid a suit.

[nige1]

dickiegera, on 2010-December-03, 16:23, said:

RHO opens 1 ♠ and you double holding ♠ x ♥ A10x ♦ KQJx ♣ KJxxx
LHO raises to 2♠ and it passes back to you.
1. Do you have enough to double again?
2. Can you bid 3♣ with your 5 clubs and 14 pts
3. or must you pass?

IMO

• This hand is borderline for a second double but having only 3 ♥ is a major flaw.
• 3♣ shows a stronger hand with a better suit. 2N shows 20+ with a ♥ stop.
• At teams, Pass. Discretion is the better part of valour. At pairs, double is more tempting.
• Over 2♠, 2N from partner should be Lebensohl just wishing to compete. Immediate bids by partner should be constructive.
• After a second double, 2N from partner = scramble. Suit bids will normally be 5+ cards and weak,

[gnasher]

I think you have to double again, because a modern takeout double could be as bad as xxx A10x KQJx KJx. Being 1345 makes it slightly more attractive than with some other shapes, because we'll reach the right partscore opposite 4=3=3=3.

The people who say they double at matchpoints but not at IMPs have it the wrong way around. At IMPs, -200 or -300 against a partscore is no big deal, but at matchpoints it's a disaster. And at IMPs they're less likely to double us anyway.

[whereagles]

han, on 2010-December-07, 12:31, said:

I've never heard anybody say that 3C is forcing, never. I think most people agree that double followed by 3C is strong, just like your normal double and bid a suit.

Sorry, that was an error. I didn't mean forcing. I meant strong, as in 18-20 or thereabouts.