[phil_20686]

If partner unpassed I would pass then dble on all 3. If partner is passed I would double initially on all 3. Biggest danger on doubling light, especially with a singleton, is that it goes 3S to partner and he has to lump 3N for a few off expecting a decent hand. Alternatively, partner becomes too timid about lumping 3N as your dbles are too wide ranging. This is obviously not a problem once partner has passed. Do not agree at all with those who see no point in doubling after partner has passed. The nuisance value whenever partner can bid at the 3 level is quite large. Oppos do not always to the right thing, and while it helps the opps play the hand, if you get a response it normally helps you find the best lead.

Had a decent example the other night:

All red, held AT9 xx Kxxx KJ98

P 1H x xx
3C p p x

and oppos were confused about the meaning of dble now, and missed 4S. 3C drifted one off, which was a bit unlucky really, partner has AQxxxx clubs and a ten count or so. Realise better opposition would not make this kind of mistake, but it still might have been tough to reach the best strain after parther has produced 3c, when it was trivial in an uncontested auction.

Agree in this example that your partner should have floated 2Sx with KJT9 spades, but if his spades were worse I would try to scramble with 2N. You are very likely to have a 5 card suit for your dble. Most likely doubling shape is 1-4-5-3 or similar IMO. Disagree with thouse who would dble with 3-4-5-1 and similar, I use 2N here for two places to play and could be 54, and prefer to preserve dble as 3 suited hands so that partner is better placed if he has a 6 card minor and responder gives it 3S over the dble.

[Free]

I'd Dbl with B and C immediately because I want to describe my hand while I can and while it's safe. Passing first with 4 controls and perfect shape is just lazy imo.

Now, I don't like the vulnerability, so I guess I'll just pass. If I had a 4=1=4=4 and the auction went 1♥-2♥ I'd probably Dbl because we don't commit to the 3-level.

[phil_20686]

bluecalm, on 2011-March-07, 12:00, said:

On the other hand:
KJ3 QJ3 T832 QT7 and it will be 200 or 500/800 if one of them can double.
We need a parlay here to win imps:
-they have exactly 8 tricks in spades (most of the time they have 9 they will be able to bid 3S or double us)
-we are making 9+ tricks somewhere

If we are correct we win 6imps. If we often break even but also could lose 5imps (neither side makes anything) or 11+ imps (they get us). It's difficult to say what are exact probabilities but my intuition enhanced by some simulations is that pass is a winner.

Disagree strongly with this analysis. 3 over 3 decisions are the hardest part of bridge after 5 over 5 decisions IMO. Even at the top levels it is not at all uncommon for pairs to decide wrongly. Also, in longer matches, it helps to build pressure if they feel like they can never have an "off" moment in an easy contract. Further, you often get help with the lead and play vs 3S from partners defence, such that often you can often get more tricks defending 3s than you would have defending 2s. A lot of boards where 2S can go off will not be beaten at the table as the normal lead is not right or defence has too many options to reliable get it right. I do not think double dummy situations will intelligently evaluate how likely the opposition are likely to get this right. I can recall at least one hand where I felt it was "clear" to compete to 3S (and others agreed) but drifted a quiet 3 off when we could beat 3c when both pairs had mirrored hands.

[phil_20686]

Free, on 2011-March-10, 09:23, said:

I'd Dbl with B and C immediately because I want to describe my hand while I can and while it's safe. Passing first with 4 controls and perfect shape is just lazy imo.

Now, I don't like the vulnerability, so I guess I'll just pass. If I had a 4=1=4=4 and the auction went 1♥-2♥ I'd probably Dbl because we don't commit to the 3-level.

I think its wrong to characterise it as "lazy". It will really put partner under pressure if he has say KQT QJx AT9x Jxx, and has to decide to risk 3N here. Even over 2S pretty sure no one on the forum has a way to show an invitational balanced hand. Either you punt 3N and accept it goes off whenever partner has dbled light, or you bid 3D positive and subside there, sometimes in a 4-3 fit, when 3N was a claimer opposite a normal 13 count t/o dble.