[CSGibson]

Double. At least all my values are outside of diamonds.

[Antrax]

lalldonn, on 2013-January-15, 12:10, said:

I don't mean this to disparage anyone who passes, but I honestly think a hand like this can be used to determine a player's level.

As a "no" voter, I'm not disparaged. I knew when voting that experts would double on this. I don't. I'm not good enough to avoid disaster, so I'd rather take a consistent small loss in these situations.

[aguahombre]

Am much too old to care about what level someone thinks I am based on my pass, here. Pard and I are much too old to change our advances or competitive decisions to allow for the possibility that a double might look like that.

[kenberg]

It crossed my mind that the answer might depend on age. It's been suggested that the answer might depend on level. Or could depend on personality. Some may see the KJx of hearts as a couple of tricks since perhaps the opened has the AQx. Others may observe that the opponents might begin with three rounds of diamonds and that partner. unless he wants to reduce to a 3-3 holding, will have to let them After that. a KJx spade holding on partner's left seems both possible and menacing. No to mention KJxx. Well, I guess I did mention it.

Doubling might work and it might not. I don't do it, I wouldn't go ballistic if my partner did. But I also would not want him to explain afterward why I should have shown more restraint in my own bidding when we are doubled and off one. Or undoubled and off two, for that matter.

[billw55]

kenberg, on 2013-January-16, 07:52, said:

It crossed my mind that the answer might depend on age.

I was thinking that too. Would be interested to see the correlation of doubling/passing v. age.

[BunnyGo]

At least it seems clear that it is still "unsettled".

[TylerE]

Hate double with 3 small and nothing else going for the hand.

[FrancesHinden]

I would pass.
My partner (who is only very slightly older than me) would double.
So I've had experience of results playing both styles, and I would say it's "inconclusive"

p.s. I agree totally with JLOGIC about the importance of vulnerability.

[Siegmund]

It's the very worst hand I can imagine myself doubling on (even NV -- perhaps I need to worry more about the vulnerability here than I currently do) but I do double on this now. If you asked me any time between when I learned to play bridge and about a year and a half ago I'd have passed.

[steve2005]

seems to me doubling is a ticket to playing in a poor 4-3 fit at the 3-level vul. If partner can come in i will be happy to support him. otherwise, i'll take defending.

[nige1]

IMO X = 10, P = 9
The Blue team pioneered doubles on this kind of hand. Risky but may be the lesser risk if opponents regularly open a short minor. Partner should be aware that you may act on this kind of hand.

Emboldened by the Italian experience, some British experts virtually ignore their opponents' 1♣ openers, just making their normal opening bid (but doubling with clubs).

[filostine]

it is obviously a pass on the first round ;if the bidding stays low enough with opps having a suit fit then double later in the auction for takeout.The only time you should double on the 1st round is if you are in a an ACBL robot tournament when it is 100% sure that your partner will have a fit with you ......

[JLOGIC]

filostine, on 2013-January-19, 00:13, said:

The only time you should double on the 1st round is if you are in a an ACBL robot tournament when it is 100% sure that your partner will have a fit with you ......

Ah yes, the best fit tournaments.

[q0987]

I think that a nt bid over a opening bid would take care of problems like this. It would be like the the veritable nt that are in use today. If one had a good hand like 15 to 17 then they could double first and then bid nt.

[Rossoneri]

I'm with the passers, guess that makes me traditional?

[sasioc]

Everything that JLOGIC posted floats around somewhere in my head when I pick up one of these hands, having had the "don't double in on so much ****" talk directed at me many times. In practice I very rarely actually pass these hands, although at these conditions I would not double with a penny less.

I don't pretend to be an expert on bidding theory but doubling in first on 15-18 and bidding 1NT with this sounds somewhat sub-optimal to me.