Tuesday, May 02, 2006 11:25 PM

Hand Evaluation – Doubles ( Philosophy )

PITBULLS:

A D.S.I.P. competitive double is not a cooperative double as defined for most Bridge players. The D.S.I.P. double has some common characteristics with the cooperative double but in reality they are direct opposites. The co-operative double is a depending on context double but it is penalty orientated. Like the D.S.I.P. double , it transfers the final decision to partner but the philosophy is different. You leave the cooperative double in as the default unless you have some reason to pull the double. This “some reason” is lack of cards in their suit , length in partners suit or excessive distribution with no values. Partner wants to know if you are hurting her hand defensively or not.

The D.S.I.P. competitive double is an offensive tool. You pull the double as the default unless you have a reason for converting the double for penalty. The D.S.I.P. double is also a depending on context bid but only applies with the initial double in a competitive auction. The D.S.I.P. double leans towards a T/O double as opposed to a penalty double but it allows for conversion. At very high levels , the D.S.I.P. double converges with the cooperative double. At high levels, the excuse to leave it in for penalties occurs more frequently. These levels are the 4 levels or bids that would force you to the 4 level.

The penalty double is also a depending on context bid. However , the doubler does not want to transfer the final decision to partner . This trump stack penalty double is a single handed bid in that I heard your bid , their bidding so I want to extract a penalty most likely because I have their trump. I am captain of the auction so you just pass. The 5 level dictates that all doubles are penalty so cooperative & D.S.I.P. doubles do not exist. There are many obvious situations where the double can be interpreted as penalty from the bidding.

The D.S.I.P. competitive double is not a T/O double or negative double per se as it has no unbid suit requirement. It is just a bid to say “I have cards” measured in quick tricks so wish to continue competing. A cooperative double is not a penalty double per se as we need some help from partner to extract a penalty from the opponents. A true penalty double ends the auction. These definitions are needed to distinguish the subtle nature of the beast. The D.S.I.P. competitive double is a close cousin to the T/O double , the co-operative double a close cousin to the penalty double.