[bob100147]

We double a weak 1NT opener (say 12-14) for penalties. What are sensible continuations if partner wants to bid? System on? How do you run if they redouble and the redouble is business?

[ggwhiz]

Just because it's simple on the brain we play systems on as if we opened a strong notrump, stayman, transfers, lebensohl and negative doubles of their runouts. I don't recall any weak notrumpers playing a business redouble and if they pass forcing a redouble partner can use all of the above in front of it or scramble after passing at their next turn.

Our agreement is that the double shows a balanced hand treated in the 15-17 pt range but sometimes you have a wart within a point or two or a stiff honor etc.

[aguahombre]

The Whiz seems correct, but if we do ever run into a business direct redouble by RHO, we could Pass if we think he is wrong, bid any suit with length and weakness, and suffer when we have a balanced Yarb ---hoping they are not on the same page.

[bob100147]

ggwhiz, on 2013-October-28, 10:50, said:

Just because it's simple on the brain we play systems on as if we opened a strong notrump, stayman, transfers, lebensohl and negative doubles of their runouts. I don't recall any weak notrumpers playing a business redouble and if they pass forcing a redouble partner can use all of the above in front of it or scramble after passing at their next turn.

Our agreement is that the double shows a balanced hand treated in the 15-17 pt range but sometimes you have a wart within a point or two or a stiff honor etc.

When you scramble, you bid 4-card suits up the line? Any way to distinguish between a 4-card and 5-card minor?

[mycroft]

And this discussion is *why* we play a business redouble (and a business pass - really good NV, even equal NV). Yes, it compromises the rest of our runouts a bit, but as opener, I like knowing what my partner thinks of our chances when *they* run it out.

And pass-forces-redouble allows the opponents two chances to bid (or not), and good opponents will use it.

[ggwhiz]

bob100147, on 2013-October-28, 12:23, said:

When you scramble, you bid 4-card suits up the line? Any way to distinguish between a 4-card and 5-card minor?

Nothing special beyond bid something they might pull and keep a straight face. That includes bidding a 3-card club suit in an emergency. The situation is just too rare for us to invest much effort.

[bob100147]

ggwhiz, on 2013-October-28, 13:30, said:

Nothing special beyond bid something they might pull and keep a straight face. That includes bidding a 3-card club suit in an emergency. The situation is just too rare for us to invest much effort.

Great - thanks very much.

[Free]

We play system on (better to have a clear agreement, even if it's not optimal) and 2-3 Doubles when they try to run.

[gwnn]

Natural is fine. Pass should NOT force redouble.

Showing a 2-suiter with 4-4 always backfired on me (but often worked for my opps ) and if you have 5-4 you might as well run to your 5-carder. Hence the first paragraph.

edit: oops, misread. On topic, I think passing with all balanced hands and most strong hands is much better than just 'system on.' Read awm's great post on this: http://www.bridgebas...922#entry350922

[lowerline]

bob100147, on 2013-October-28, 10:28, said:

We double a weak 1NT opener (say 12-14) for penalties. What are sensible continuations if partner wants to bid? System on? How do you run if they redouble and the redouble is business?

System on doesn't make sense because partner will pass with 5+hcp most of the time. With less than 5hcp partner can bid a 5crd suit other than clubs (2♦/♥/♠) and 2♣ otherwise. Over 2♣ doubler passes with 4+ clubs or bids a suit of his own. Of course, if pass forces redouble or redouble forces 2♣ you can afford to pass with a weak hand without a 5crd suit.

Steven