2008-01-24 11:17

Hand Evaluation – Doubles ( D.S.I.P. Light )

PITBULLS:

Instead of playing “full blown” D.S.I.P. competitive double theory , which in my mind is only for experts , you can try a “depending on context” version of competitive doubles. The ground rules start off the same in that we must be competing for the contract so we do not “own the auction” where Forcing Pass theory would kick in. Next , we allow the context of the bidding to determine whether a double is a trump stack penalty double or not. In other words , trump stack penalty doubles exist with some competitive auctions. I call this the “matchpoint version” of D.S.I.P. theory or D.S.I.P. competitive double light in honour of Lite beer drinkers everywhere. .

Here are some ground rules for “depending on context”. When the opponents bid like they own their suit , they do , so trump stack doubles do not exist in those competitive auctions. Give the devil hisr do. These auctions are usually jump raises or jumps to game. When the opponents bid & raise their suits , trump stack doubles no not exist either. The over / under rule applies in all competitive auctions. When we are behind them , the double is penalty. When we are in front of the suit , the double is competitive. If the auction is a “misfit” auction indicated by either sides bidding , the double is trump stack penalty even in a competitive auction. Re-opening doubles are never penalty.

Doubles in competitive auctions at the 3 level or above are trump stack penalty. All normal competitive “fit auctions” at the two level or one level , the double is never trump stack penalty. The doubles just means you have “cards” so do not want to sell out cheaply. When the doubler has never limited her hand , the double is trump stack penalty.

1♣-1♦-1♥-P

1♠-2♦-X This is penalty as the 1♥ bidder is unlimited & as opener has bid two suits , you should be captain.

When one partner is captain of the auction , the double is trump stack penalty. So if you have described your hand already via a pre-empt , a limited bid , a 1NT rebid or opener etc , partner is the captain of the auction. All her doubles are trump stack penalty.

When they balance , all doubles are penalty when we are behind the suit & competitive when we are in front of the suit. If partner is just trying to clarify the nature of her opener , T/O Dbl , negative Dbl or overcall, the double is just cards not penalty. When they are at the 3 level or higher they are more co-operative penalty however.

You still need judgment to read the context of the auction to determine whether a double is trump stack penalty or not. I do not like trump stack doubles in competition period but if you do , try this form of competitive doubles above . The reason I do not like trump stack penalty doubles is that ambiguity , the killer of Bridge bidding is introduced. I like the clear message that these doubles in competition show “cards” , not values in their suit. The double is too useful a bid in competition to be restricted just for trump stacks. Susan says she avoids trump stack doubles at lower levels with her partners . Playing with me quite often she recognizes from the context of the auction that my double cannot be trump stack penalty. She now attempts to do something intelligent J.

Use the double as a descriptive bid to show strength in competition rather than a trump stack. A double can also be used as a Q bid or Western Q bid , when you are jammed by the rank of their suit. Do not just bid a suit & expect partner to be clairvoyant that you have 18 HCP for your bid this time rather than the 12 HCP in the past. A double gives partner more options & conserves bidding room. You do not pre-empt your own partner by bidding a suit , instead use doubles in that context to avoid pre-emption. Balance of power doubles should be recognized as such , rather than just being a trump stack. Play the odds that the opponents hold their suit.

Action doubles after you have made a pre-empt is still better than “St. Alberting”. When you want to bid again when “captaincy” dictates you should not , do it with an action double. At least , the blame can be transferred to partner which is a good thing. I do not know if you have been reading the articles on full blown D.S.I.P. double theory , but there are parts that are very sound in theory so you can bring those into your own system without going whole hog. Call them just competitive doubles rather than D.S.I.P. competitive doubles as I have copyrighted that name .L Perry & play D.S.I.P. Lite ( go figure ) which looks good on our convention card & meshes with his beer drinking preference..