2007-09-15 03:22

Hand Evaluation - Interpreting Doubles ( Patterns )

PITBULLS:

D.S.I.P. competitive double theory , still another application for applying patterns. During the auction , you can apply patterns in the opponents trump suit to determine how many trumps partner has for her double. If the auction shows that the opponents own their trump suit , they do ! Partners D.S.I.P. double tends to T/O rather than co-operative & certainly not the standard American penalty double.

♠void ♥AJxx ♦Axxxxx ♣Qxx both vul 1♣-P-1♦-1♠

1NT-3♠-X

You make a D.S.I.P. competitive double because partner is at the table & can apply a pattern in their trump suit. 5-4 & whatever number she has for her 1NT , she can figure out how many I must have. She holds ♠J10xx of spades so she knows the duplication of value is almost nil . So she may contract for a vul game in a minor rather than converting the double for penalty.

I was playing with Susan in the Thursday nite IMPS against Osama & Nowlan. I opened 1♠ nv vrs nv & Nowlan bid 3♣. Susan bid 3♠ with ♠Qxx ♥Qxx ♦KQxxx ♣Jx & Osama bid 4♣ . I doubled & Susan said alert a D.S.I.P. competitive double . Susan said later , even if you are not playing D.S.I.P. double theory , this is a D.S.I.P. double situation. Susan is right . The penalty double & the Q bid are the two most “depending on context” bids in Bridge. The auction determines the meaning of the double. Only beginners think doubles must be blindly passed as partner always has a trump stack. Doubles are used to clarify auctions & show general strength rather than a trump stack when you are competing. The double also clarifies the pass. The pass , since you did not double , means a minimum or a hand with their suit.

Now what is your decision with this hand ? This is a hand evaluation exercise as are most decisions to convert a double or make a bid. Let’s start with the basics . You have 10 HCP’s & you could have less for your 3♠ bid. You have a defensive distribution (5-3-3-2 ) with soft values which are hand evaluation indicators leaning towards a conversion. This is a defensive hand as opposed to an offensive hand. You have a doubleton in their suit so no ruffing value for partner & only 3 trump in our suit. The level of the auction must be taken into consideration. At the 4 level , partners double tends to be co-operative rather than offensively orientated. Partner could have just easily bid game as you found the fit. At lower levels , she mainly wants you to bid when the opponents own their suit. At the 4 level , the double is a co-operative venture. There are also other hand evaluation concepts mentioned in our articles that you can consider. “Playing the vulnerability” as we both are non vul, it is best to pass. “Taking out insurance” due to the pre-emptive bidding increasing the odds of a bad trump break our way. “Taking our plus” ( IMPS vrs Matchpoints ) rather than gambling that we can make +420.

Osama was indeed laying a trap with his 4♣ bid as he held ♠KJ10 of our suit but unfortunately for him , +500 our way or +300 in 4♣X if Nowlan plays it brilliantly. The field is in 4♠ down two but as quite often happens , terrorists give us options that others in the field do not get. Hand evaluation skills coupled with D.S.I.P. theory helps a lot. Nobody would have pre-empted & raised on equal vulnerability with the hands those two held ( well maybe Ray & Gary J ) . Playing the players can be another reason for passing.

Applying patterns for a theoretical lie of the land helps you in making these penalty conversion decisions. The pre-emptive hand in this auction , increases the odds the spades are 5-4-3-1 in this auction. Thinking in patterns, help you realize this. Now , it is a simple decision to pass 4♣X with all the information available to you.

The concept of defensive hands vrs offensive hands comes up very frequently in Bridge. Susan Culham had ♠Kxx ♥xxxxx ♦QJx ♣xx with everyone vul & I opened 1♣ . They bid 2♦ , Susan passed & I re-opened with a double. What is your decision ? You hold a defensive hand pattern with no HCP’s in your 5 card suit. You have a wasted 3 HCP’s in diamonds so you have effectively 3 HCP’s towards an offensive venture. You are short in partner’s club suit so you do not detract from partner’s strength in that suit. Partner may have a very good hand for re-opening given the silent opponents. Take your plus by passing is a good gamble ! You are gambling -180 for a number depending on the strength of partner’s hand . This contract goes for +500 against your heart partial. Evaluate your hand for the defensive hand type it is . Double or convert for penalty with defensive hands & bid with offensive hand types .