Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Hand Evaluation – DBLS ( Trump Ownership )

PITBULLS:

        In order to play D.S.I.P. competitive doubles & all penalty doubles properly for that matter , you need to understand the auctions that  involve "trump ownership" . When the opponents bid like they own their suit - they do . We do not insult them by saying that you bid badly by doubling with a trump stack in the very small percentage chances when that is actually the case. We base our bidding on their bidding when they own their trump suit.  We give the devil his due.

       Most examples of trump ownership involve pre-empting i.e jumping to game after an opening bid or an overcall. Jumping to game after a weak 2 or 3 level pre-empt. A T/O double followed by a jump to game signals that they own their trump suit . A 4 level pre-empt signals ownership of their suit. Systemic 3 level pre-emptive raise indicate that they own their trump suit. From all these auctions comes a doubling principle . A double by your side after one of these competitive or pre-emptive trump showing auctions always shows "cards" not a penalty double in the true sense of the word. You do not have to be an enforcer & wait for the low percentage of times that you will have a trump stack when they announce they own their suit. It just is not cost effective in Bridge to double that way. Waste of a bid based on low frequency.

        1♠-X-4♠-X  is "cards" as they own the spade suit.  2♠-3♦-4♠-X  is "cards" as they own their trump suit.      1♦-1♥-P-4♥ X is cards as they have the heart suit wrapped up.  3♦-X-5♦-X is "cards" again .  1♠-2♥-3♠-X    is cards or systemic depending on your preference. Get rid of the "trump stack mentality" in these type of auctions.

        Susan Culhams partner held ♠AQx ♥KJx ♦x ♣AJ10xxx and Perry opened a weak 2♥ . He overcalled 3♣ & say I bid 4♥ as Perry’s partner so around to him again . What is a double ? They own their trump suit on this auction so a double is cards  saying "Do Something Intelligent Partner " . Partner must have spade tolerance for this double. Why ? Without spades , she has a 4NT bid available to show the other minor or a pass without a strong hand & a 5♣ pull of 4♠ by partner with a strong club hand. Taking trump stack doubles out of the equation when the opponents announce to the table they own their suit defines these re-opening doubles. Susan held ♠J10xxx ♥x ♦109xxx ♣KQ so has an easy 4♠ bid which makes +450.

        When one player is bidding his own suit "like he owns it" this principle does not apply. Their partnership must be bidding their heads off in their suit. At the 5 level , good old fashioned trump stack doubles apply & the "green light" principle is effect. A pass says partner you have the green light to bid & a double says do not bid. Take the Susan auction again with ♠J10xxx ♥x ♦109xxx ♣KQ . Perry opens 2♥ , partner overcalls 3♣ but this time I bid 3♦ . Susan with her club values decides to be aggressive & bid 3♠. Her partner raises to 4♠ & I bid 5♦. This is the 5 level so the "green light" principle applies when it is not clear who owns the auction. You do not want to pass as that gives partner the green light to bid 5♠ , the last thing you want to hear as you may have 5♦X for -1100. Give partner an average hand for a 3 level overcall of 14 HCP gives the opponents < 20 HCP so they are not making a 5 level contract in hearts that is ludicrous. If they belong in hearts , they would be there by now. Partner does not know that you are this light so do not be over concerned with your own hand. When you pass with this many diamonds , a good partner will almost always bid again respecting your wishes. You must double to shut partner up. In for a penny , in for a pound with your light original bid as there is no undo in Bridge. 5♦X goes for -1100 & 5♥X goes for -500 correctly played.

        Change Susan's hand a give her a more realistic 3♠ bid on the auction . ♠Kxxxxx ♥x ♦xxx ♣KQx   or even better. Susan in accordance with the 5 level "green light" principle passes . Partner with his hand ♠AQx ♥KJx ♦x  ♣AJ10xxx based on the stiff diamond & partner green light has a baby 5♠ bid. 5♦X goes for -100 as both the black suits are 6-3-3-1 around the table. Doubling with this hand is insulting partner who gave the green light to bid with a suitable hand . Can partner have less than this for a pass ? Give partner ♠Kxxxxx ♥Ax ♦xxx ♣Kx & she would again pass and 6♠ is cold when 5♦X goes for +300 !!.  Do not be fixated on your own hand . When playing forcing pass theory or 5 level green light auctions , partner is sending you a message with a pass. You should follow partners’ intentions as Bridge is a partnership game.