[billw55]

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Imp pairs, red on white. Pass or double?

[trevahound]

It's partnership agreement. Double for me for sure, but my partner's expect this to be included in the normal range of direct seat doubles.

[nige1]

billw55, on 2013-July-05, 12:17, said:

Imp pairs, red on white. Pass or double?

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IMO Double = 10, Pass = 7. Minimum but nothing wasted.

[ArtK78]

Double.

[mikeh]

Pass for me.

I wouldn't open this hand, unless playing a 1N range that encompassed it, and I won't make a minimum takeout double on flawed shape. Add the vulnerability and the form of scoring and it seems to me clear that passing is the better choice.

That doesn't mean doubling will fail, just that my experience suggests that it is more likely to fail than to gain. In addition, when it is wrong to double, it may be spectacularly wrong, which hurts far more at imps scoring than it does at mps.

[CSGibson]

Double. My hand is off my chest, and I avoid being in a balancing situation forcing us to the 3 level.

[nigel_k]

Bare minimum double for me.

[billw55]

OK, the general gist seems to be a preference for double, but that it is fairly close.

Next, part two:

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Now what?

[mike777]

agree with x, in for a penny in for a pound as they say.

I will try 1nt now, the bidding may not be over yet

[CSGibson]

What agreements do we have for partner's pass? Is it simply no preference, or is it a preference for defending?

Assuming its no preference, I'm going to start out with 1N, then XX to have partner pick.

[jallerton]

mikeh, on 2013-July-05, 12:57, said:

Pass for me.

I wouldn't open this hand, unless playing a 1N range that encompassed it, and I won't make a minimum takeout double on flawed shape. Add the vulnerability and the form of scoring and it seems to me clear that passing is the better choice.

That doesn't mean doubling will fail, just that my experience suggests that it is more likely to fail than to gain. In addition, when it is wrong to double, it may be spectacularly wrong, which hurts far more at imps scoring than it does at mps.

I agree with this. We hold a mini no trump, the opponents hold the boss suit and the vulnerability is such that we're not going to find a successful sacrifice very often. We'll often seem to "get away" with doubling in the sense that the opponents still end up in their normal spade contract, until we discover that our double has helped declarer to find the winning line of play.

[jallerton]

CSGibson, on 2013-July-05, 15:30, said:

What agreements do we have for partner's pass? Is it simply no preference, or is it a preference for defending?

Assuming its no preference, I'm going to start out with 1N, then XX to have partner pick.

I agree with running to 1NT, but XX on the next round sounds like 1=4=4=4 (or maybe 3=4=3=3 if it's your style to double 1♠ on such hands). on a 2=4=3=4 shape, I prefer 1NT followed by 2♣ which I think should be the lower of two 4-card suits.

[mikeh]

jallerton, on 2013-July-05, 15:58, said:

I agree with running to 1NT, but XX on the next round sounds like 1=4=4=4 (or maybe 3=4=3=3 if it's your style to double 1♠ on such hands). on a 2=4=3=4 shape, I prefer 1NT followed by 2♣ which I think should be the lower of two 4-card suits.

Couldn't say it any better, so I won't.

[nige1]

billw55, on 2013-July-05, 15:09, said:

OK, the general gist seems to be a preference for double, but that it is fairly close. Next, part two: Now what?

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IMO XXX = 11 1N = 10.
When 1N is doubled then follow mikeh and jallerton's 2♣ suggestion.

[wyman]

I guess 1N just says "no clear direction" for everyone? I mean I know I've already made a tox of spades, so is this just optional for partner -- like "pass if it seems right, otherwise scramble"? I've never considered 1N in this auction before, oops!

Does 2C show 5 for everyone?

Thanks for starting this topic.

[broze]

I would definitely pass initially. Would double at any other vul and would also probably do it at MPs as CSG says to avoid needing to balance later, not nearly as important at IMPs. I would also consider double totally clear with the Majors flipped:

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[Free]

broze, on 2013-July-05, 20:58, said:

I would definitely pass initially. Would double at any other vul and would also probably do it at MPs as CSG says to avoid needing to balance later, not nearly as important at IMPs. I would also consider double totally clear with the Majors flipped:

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I think the exact opposite: with an opening of 1♠ I want my hand off my chest while I can. This is at the 1-level, because when I pass first and the auction goes 1♠-2♠, a Dbl commits us to 3-level which isn't attractive looking at the vulnerability. After 1♥-2♥ you can balance much easier and safer with a playable spot at the 2-level, so there's no need to jump in the auction immediately.

[ArtK78]

nige1, on 2013-July-05, 18:15, said:

IMO XXX = 11 1N = 10.
When 1N is doubled then follow mikeh and jallerton's 2♣ suggestion.

Absolutely. Turn the cube to 8.

[PhilKing]

"Don't fight the spade suit."

[jjbrr]

pass