[mike777]

mikestar, on Jun 6 2005, 09:45 AM, said:

Double. WTP--it is correct regardless of NT range, but safer if we play weak NT.

Ok, I change I my bid to double, this is why I come to forum to learn

[HeartA]

Double without second thought. I have club fit and both majors.

[Winstonm]

You convinced me, too; however, I never had a BIG problem doubling with this hand, but my partner (Al Roth's reincarnation) has a HUGE problem with it when I do this, so it makes me gunshy. (Of course we play STRONG NTs)

But I'm making headway - he's actually beginning to open a few 13 counts these days, and he once made a 1-level negative double with "only 9".

But I'm finally beginning to see his reasoning; anytime he does something that doesn't pan out it is because "You didn't have your bid!"

It is said there is safety in numbers, but not if it's BIG numbers and you are going off for them on a consistent basis.

Oh, well, it's time to play - time to climb back in the time machine and travel back to the 1960's one more time. Roll over, Al, I opened an 11-count last night!

WinstonM

[Winstonm]

Quote

Tell your partner the only dangers in bridge aren't going for a number. Missing games are a much more frequent danger.

You're gonna have to tell him for me; he's too big and too stubborn to listen to anything I say; the perfect mixture of Ira Rubin and Al Roth, and about as old, LoL.

Winston

[bearmum]

I too double ( NOT a GF though) --- I can't give up on finding a 4/4 Major -- and we will be OK in 4♣ if that's ALL P can bid

[EricK]

Pre-empts sometimes work.

Here I double although understrength. It will be wrong some of the time. I hope it will be right more of the time!

Eric

[whereagles]

Winstonm, on Jun 6 2005, 07:48 PM, said:

But I'm finally beginning to see his reasoning; anytime he does something that doesn't pan out it is because "You didn't have your bid!"

Be wary of people who think like that. Their main objective isn't to win but to exempt themselves of any guilt after a bad result.

[Fluffy]

Well here an example of what happened:

1♣-3♦-X -ps
4♦-ps-4[HE}-5♦
ps-ps-X -ps
5[he]-ps-ps-ps

---

After the double your best brakes couldn't stop partner below the 5 level, and as the cards lied the 5 level was a bit too dangerous and scored 1 off.

[whereagles]

Well, I do blame him. He has a routine pass over the double

[PriorKnowledge]

It is common for forcing pass followed by bid over dbl = mild slam try and strongest simple action. Certainly, with such a nice hand, opener would make that call.

Responder is little lite, but made a competitive decision based on nice shape.

Tough luck, no fault. Next time, you'll have Jxx KQxx xx KQxx, bid and make the difficult to find slam, and your table will be showered with gold coins from the spectators.

[Winstonm]

I can't call it routine, but there is an argument for slowing it down. The North hand is a 5-loser hand and it pretty much requires cover cards in both clubs and hearts, and a fairly good concentration of them. Without room to investigate the precise nature of the holdings, it might be better to pass and take the sure plus than try for the speculative slam - and as this hand proves, partner can at times be under a lot of pressure to compete, so it isn't unwise to give him a little slack in this situation.

WinstonM

[mike777]

Pass

Ok I take back my take back Why did I doubt myself . Maybe it was that 'Mirror' that Justin is talking about with his/her new avatar.

[Fluffy]

Winstonm, on Jun 7 2005, 06:30 PM, said:

I can't call it routine, but there is an argument for slowing it down. The North hand is a 5-loser hand and it pretty much requires cover cards in both clubs and hearts, and a fairly good concentration of them. Without room to investigate the precise nature of the holdings, it might be better to pass and take the sure plus than try for the speculative slam - and as this hand proves, partner can at times be under a lot of pressure to compete, so it isn't unwise to give him a little slack in this situation.

WinstonM

Remember you are vulnerable adn they aren't

[luke warm]

i still think x was the right bid.. no 'right' bid will work every time, just as no 'wrong' bid will not work every time

[Winstonm]

Quote

Remember you are vulnerable adn they aren't

Quite right, Fluffy, and that is why I said that "it wasn't routine". This is a very close and difficult decision and bid/pass either one could work out. All I'm saying is there is a tiny bit of room for slack this time because partner needs such seemingly concentrated values in not one but two suits and it is a pressure auction without the ability to find out.



WinstonM