2008-03-19
20:10
Hand Evaluation - Doubles ( Unlimited Hands )
PITBULLS:
Competitive doubles are too unwieldy when they are too all encompassing. D.S.I.P. competitive doubles were designed
for when we are competing for
an auction mostly when we or the
opponents have found a fit.
Forcing pass theory is designed
for when we are able to tell from the bidding
that we or the opponents own the auction.
What are about unlimited
hands where we cannot tell
that from the bidding who owns the auction ?
After experimenting with these hand types , we now feel that unlimited
hands should default to a co-operative penalty double. The concept of limited or unlimited
hands should also define your penalty vrs competitive doubles. The penalty double is not extinct playing competitive doubles.
When you cannot tell whether your side is just competing ,
the double retains its original Bridge use of penalty.
Unlimited hands are an important
concept. Minorwood usage is dependent on whether a hand is unlimited or not. Courtesy Q bids & serious 3NT both depend on whether partner is unlimited or not. Tuning into the context of the auction determines the meaning of your bids quite often. Be aware
when the auction determines that your partner is unlimited .
Opponents sometimes jam you
before you can show partner you own the auction. We would like to encourage a traditional
pass rather than a competitive double based pass in these auctions where
responder or opener could be
unlimited. This is so you do not have to re-open in
dangerous misfit auctions or at a high level to protect the penalty double in
an ambiguous competitive auction. Misfits & competing are a poor mixture. The double as penalty means the bidding will
be the same as at the other table. It
is self evident from the word competitive doubles
that we must be competing. We are not competing
when our hands could be unlimited.
1♣-1♦-1♥-P
1♠-2♦-X the heart response is unlimited but has not had a chance to
describe her hand yet. You could go either way saying that the unlimited hand
is competing but it makes more sense to
have this sequence as penalty.
This is due in part because partner has bid two suits but it is more than that.
Responder has a Q bid available to force as well as jump bids. There is no reason to take the penalty double away as responder
should be captain of these type of auctions. When responder is a passed hand ,
the double is competitive as her hand is limited.
1♣-1♦-1♥-P
2♣-2♠-X this is not a competitive
auction as we may own
the hand & responder is unlimited ,
therefore double penalty.
In misfit
auctions , you want the first double by an unlimited hand
to be penalty.
1♣-P-1NT-2♠
X should be
penalty. Partner has limited her hand ( 1NT) & the
club opener is unlimited & could have 4♠.There are important low level
auctions where trump stack doubles
still apply . These auctions are called “misfit auctions” . There is no hint of a fit for partner
, NT or a responsive double
as usually been bid. 1♠-2♣-2♠-dbl . The double is
responsive for the red suits . There is no obligation
to hold clubs on this auction. The opponents subsequently bid 3♠ so if
either partner doubled , it is for penalty . D.S.I.P.
competitive doubles must have an escape hatch .
In auctions where there is no place to go .,when a “D.S.I.P. like double or a D.S.I.P. double has already been made, the double is penalty.
2/1 in competition are generally unlimited hands. When partner has made a 2/1
& subsequently doubles their suit , it is penalty. This is because the 2/1 could be unlimited. The opening bidder of the responding 2/1 makes a
double. This is penalty also because of the 2/1 it is assumed we own the auction. Responder may pull the double with just a suit.
Another
auction
1♥-1♠-P-1NT
3♥-P-P-dbl Partner by virtue of the 1NT bid says there is no fit established so the bid promises
values in hearts. The double gives no safe
exit to the spade overcaller . Therefore , the double is a
“trump stack” penalty double.
When they are balancing
, the over/under
rule decides when the double is penalty. When we are
behind the suit , the double is penalty. When we are
in front of their suit , the double is D.S.I.P.
competitive Simple stuff.
When they are bidding in the sandwich position , most experts play
support doubles at 2♥ or lower & Thrump doubles at the 3
level. When you do not have
these conventional understandings , these doubles are penalty.
1♦-P-1♠-2♥
X support
, penalty if not
playing support doubles as opener is unlimited.
1♦-P-1♠-3♥
X Thrump Dbl ,
penalty if you do not have this understanding as opener is unlimited.
The concept of limited vrs unlimited hands come up quite frequently in
Bridge. Q bids , KCB ( minorwood
) & competitive doubles
are defined whether the one hand is unlimited. When
you bid 5NT in a KCB auction to tell an unlimited hand
that you have all the controls is still another example of the “unlimited”
concept. Tune into the “unlimited” concept
for better bidding in the game of Bridge.