[Hanoi5]

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West's first double seems a little exaggerated, but I think the second one is really bad. East didn't 'accept' the first double but, is it correct to bid over the second one, too? Is it better to rebid spades over 3♥X?

[ArtK78]

There is an old adage. If you double a contract for penalties and partner pulls it, and then the opps bid one more, if you double it you had better beat it.

In this case, even if West beats 4♥x (which is far from clear) it is probably not right. He should be able to see that his side can make a lot of tricks in spades or diamonds.

West's double in this context leaves a lot to be desired.

[sasioc]

I think the East hand is far too good for 2S. I'd bid 3H with that and if it went 4H p p back to me I'd bid 4S.

As for the West hand, I'm not sure what you think he is meant to do over 3H - his hand is too good to pass and doesn't really have a clear bid either so I'd probably have doubled too (assuming it isn't pure penalties but rather just a good hand with no other action). I hate his second double - I think he should be bidding 4S now.

[Free]

West's actions are rather dubious, but East could've still bid 4♠ over the 2nd Dbl, what a hand! I blame both.

[whereagles]

1st dbl is very pushy, yes.

2nd one is misjudgement. You should either pass 4D (if feeling conservative) or try for game with 4S/5D. I think pass is more appropriate because pard should have a bit less than what he has. He's underbid: his hand is worth a direct 1H-pass-2H-3H.

[MrAce]

Very interesting, i disagree with those who thinks first DBL is not AUTO.

Lets see, i have 12 hcp, pd overcalled at 2 level (vulnerable) opps opened-raised and reraised and i DBLed. I dont understand people whining about this DBL. I think it is auto and it is not penalty.

Also everyone assuming partner bid 4♦ so he must have a wild hand. Are you all playing this DBL of 3♥ penalty ? If so good luck with this, If not partner bid 4♦ because u told him to. Not because he thought DBL was penalty and he decided to override your decision.

It is very hard to bid this hand after 4♥ for West.

West(as i explained above) does not know his pd has a wild hand. He doesnt know partner has 6th ♠. He is expecting pd to be short in ♥ suit, he doesn't expect pd to be short in ♣ also, thus he doesn't know opponents have a side 9 card ♣ fit.

If this topic was made by giving only West hand and asking, i bet at least few of those who whines about West's actions would have made the exact same bids.

EDIT: I also would like to see full deal, why 4♥ doubled is being so bad. Because there are so many hands where we make 4 ♠ but can take 500 in 4♥.

Also; Can u please tell me what was WEST supposed to do, had South decided to pass 4♦ ? Is he supposed to bid 5♦ ? Or 4♠ ? Perhaps he should but it is not crystal clear when u dont see your pd's hand.

[hatchett]

Double of 3♥ is clear for me and shows high cards not penalties. I would rebid 4♥ with the east hand,
driving 4♠ or 5♦.

[ggwhiz]

I agree with hatchett and really hate an immediate 3♥ bid by east.