Friday, October 07, 2005 2:14 AM

Hand Evaluation - Doubles ( Systemic Toys )

PITBULLS:

How do “systemic toys” like disturbing their NT , Michaels & unusual 2NT mesh with D.S.I.P. competitive double theory ? Michaels Q bids or unusual 2NT are only bid on weak distributional hands or very strong hands in my partnership. With intermediate hands with defense , we double . With intermediate hands without defense ( softer values) ) , I overcall. When the opponents use systemic toys , D.S.I.P. theory does not apply because we consider these bids pre-emptive in nature.

What about the partner of the “systemic toy” bidder ? In my mind , a systemic toy that has a weak or strong range should initially be treated as a pre-empt ( lower range ) for systemic doubles by her partner. Like a pre-empt , partner knows more about your hand than you do of his. A double by responder should be penalty as that hand is the great unknown & your systemic toy is quite known as to distribution and probable HCP range. This is the basis for penalty doubles in general. Captaincy applies with penalty doubles as you have already described your weak distributional hand..In other words , the partner of a systemic toy bidder can never make a D.S.I.P. double.

Everybody has some sort of toy to disturb the opponents NT . Here is where D.S.I.P. competitive doubles can be very effective only when used by the systemic bidder. When the opponents are nv , you are vul , you should prefer bidding your toy with a strong hand. The vulnerable game you may reach is far more lucrative than 1NTX going down nv. You hold ♠AKQxx ♥AKxxx ♦xx ♣x , they open 1NT . On every vulnerability except vulnerable against nv , you would double 1NT rather than using your toy. OK , you hold this hand vulnerable vrs nv , they open 1NT . You bid 2♣ or 2♦ whatever bid shows the majors so they bid at the 3 level & around to you. You now make a D.S.I.P. competitive double telling partner you have a huge hand for your systemic bid on this vulnerability. Systemic toy doubles can also be used as 3^rd case D.S.I.P. doubles ( opponents own the auction ) with opposite vulnerability. The opponents own the auction , so you double to give partner the option to sacrifice. Since you have described your distribution, the double now says you have some defense but you are not positive that you can beat the contract single handedly so a sacrifice might be an option.

What if you have nice defense & you just want to compete again with your systemic toy after they bid a partial ? Again you ( systemic bidder ) can make a D.S.I.P. competitive double saying that I have the distribution for my bid but I just wish to compete again. When partner has their suit , you can pass as I can contribute some defense. Not making a D.S.I.P. double & bidding again is just bidding your hand twice. My partner made an excellent 3^rd case D.S.I.P. double tonight ( opponents own the auction ) . He held ♠KQJ10x ♥KJxxx ♦xx ♣x , NV against vulnerable opponents. He bid our toy ( 2♣ ) which shows the majors so the opponents doubled . I bid 2♥ , around again to them who bid 3NT . Passed around to partner who made a D.S.I.P. competitive double ! On this vulnerability , it can not be a rock or he would have doubled 1NT rather than using the systemic bid going in. He is making a D.S.I.P. competitive double as a sacrifice or leave it in at my option. The opponents have announced they own the hand. He does not want to make a single handed sacrifice , as 3NT may have no play . I may have a reasonable defensive hand stacked in the minors . Why not have the best of both worlds with a D.S.I.P. double ? My hand is ♠xx ♥1098 ♦xxx ♣Axxxx so I have an easy 4♥ bid. This was doubled , I went for –100 against their +630 !! What if partner held ♠AKQJ10 ♥Jxxxx ♦xx ♣x and the same auction occurred ? You would quietly put the green card on the table & take your one trick set. You do not want to risk the opponents or partner ruining your sure set.