[gszes]

4h
just plain too much good stuff to consider less and also p might not
have 4 spades and avoid them which is fine by me. The other follow up
sequences get less clear however. The main problem being 4n by partner.

I would tend to treat it as weak and pick a minor (for a 3h x that is)
while a 5c or a 5d bid would show extra values (preferring to x and show
suit vs bidding suit directly). We should have a pretty good chance of
arriving in the right spot using these parameters.

Would I ever treat this as penalty (no) and what is poor p supposed to
do with Q xxxx AKJx AKQJ pass because the follow ups are sketchy?

[ggwhiz]

mikeh, on 2014-December-01, 15:02, said:

I think Zia and Rosenberg used to play that in some auctions double was takeout or penalty and partner was supposed to look at his holding in their suit and draw an inference.

Kantar wrote a hilarious article on either or doubles that Marshal Miles talked him into playing throughout. Of course they pre-alerted it and defended a few doubled contracts in the opponents 10 - 11 card fits in the first (and only) session they played it.

[BillPatch]

Phil, on 2014-December-01, 15:04, said:

Anyone doubling 3♥ like me in the direct seat? Sweeeet.

I did. I was all alone in the poll. Not even Phil would join me until the hand was posted.

[MrAce]

BillPatch, on 2014-December-02, 10:47, said:

I did. I was all alone in the poll. Not even Phil would join me until the hand was posted.

It's probably because we (at least me) paid more attention to what do we do now rather than what we should be doing previous round. Until I read your this reply I was not even aware of such an option in the poll.