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Sunday, February 08, 2009 4:13 AM

Hand Evaluation - Forcing pass ( inverted doubles )

PITBULLS:

Some top European pairs play a concept called "inverted doubles" with their forcing pass structure as long as the auction is under 3♠. In all instances where forcing passes have been turned on , the initial double is for T/O & the pass could be a penalty double. Kiz & Susan had a hand tonight which illustrates the concept. ♠xx ♥109 ♦AQxxx ♣AKxx with everybody vul Kiz opened 1♦. I made a T/O double & Susan XX's which turns on forcing passes for one round. Perry bid 1♥ so Kiz would make an "inverted double" with this hand. This shows a good hand with defense ( she has 3 1/2 quick tricks) but a shortage of hearts. Susan could convert if she had hearts but in this auction she simply bids 3NT. What if Kiz bid 2♣ in front of the possible penalty double of 1♥. This what show a hand that she would pull the double of 1♥ to 2♣ due to distribution & lack of defense , certainly not with this hand.

This concept is used with penalty doubles of 1NT ( especially weak ) . The auction goes 1NT & a penalty double. This double automatically turns on forcing passes thru the two level. Therefore,  inverted doubles apply once again. They run to 2♥ ( natural ) , so a double would show values but shortness in hearts. A pass would request a double so that hand could convert for penalty.

This "inverted double" concept  applies in all auctions where forcing passes are turned on & the auction remains under the 3♠ level. This includes 2/1 auctions , Jacoby 2NT & penalty doubles of toys. The first double is always for T/O so the opponents never get rescued by either partner bidding in front of a penalty double.

1♠-P-2NT-3♦

X                          is diamond shortness with a willingness to defend. A pass may be a penalty double of 3♦. Partner will re-open with a double with the appropriate defensive hand.

2♣-P-2♦-2♠

X                     most likely the 2NT opener but nothing in spades. With lots of spade cards , opener will pass & await the double for a conversion. 2NT directly is probably based on a long minor & playability. What about the pass by the 2♣ opener ? This is the inversion which commands partner to double. Partner may only break this relay only with an exceptional hand. This auction is used as a relay as now when the 2♣ bidder bids a suit , he shows a two suiter DONT style . Who would have thought of a pass as a relay to a double ? This “pass & doublel” concept applies at all levels below 3♠ so above that normal forcing pass & pull understandings apply. Some call this concept “inverted doubles “ . In fact , with this “pass & pull” understanding with the rank order of suits you can identify your two suiter exactly. Bidding immediately always shows a one suiter , of course.

♠AKQxx ♥AKQxxx ♦x ♣ x           2♣-3♦-P-4♦
P*-P-X-P
4♥

The pass is a relay to a double so now the 4♥ bid shows a two suiter. Partner has ♠xxxx ♥x ♦xx ♣AJ10xxx & bids 4♠ . 4NT brings one Ace , 6♠ is attained.

♠AKQxx ♥Ax ♦x ♣ AKQJx                  2♣-3♦-P-4♦
P*-P-X-P
4♠           Must be a black two suiter as we bypassed hearts.

♠x  ♥Ax ♦AKJ10x ♣AKQxx             2♣-2♥-P-3♥
P*-P-X-P
4♣          Must be the minors as spades were not mentioned.

A double by the 2♣ opener shows a NT hand or the other 3 suits. What if you ( 2♣ opener)  have a penalty double of their suit below 3♠ ? Simple , you pass so partner is forced to double & all pass . This may expose a psyche or very bad bidders.

♠AKQJ ♥x ♦Kx ♣ AK109xx           2♣-P-2♦-3♠
P*-P-X-P
P-P

Ilya Kuzkin introduced this concept formally to me. I have played it in parts but did know the formal structure or the name of "inverted doubles".