Saturday, November 07, 2009

Hand Evaluation – Misfits ( Inverted Doubles )

PITBULLS:

Misfit auctions where we have the balance of power equals trouble for the opponents. Opponents should play misfits preferably doubled. The bridge scoring scale rewards penalty sets more than games , slams or even grand slams on occasion. Rescuing opponents from bad spots because  “you want to play the hand" is horrible Bridge. In XX auctions & all forcing pass auctions under game there is a concept called "inverted doubles" .  The standard way of showing nothing in their suit in a forcing auction is to pass & double which means I have their suit. This way causes problems when the opponents "land on their feet" so you can not double them effectively. The partnership now flounders & rarely get to their best contract.

    Some Europeans have come up with the concept of "inverted doubles" . This means they just invert from standard. A direct double shows shortness with a defensive hand ( T/O ) & a pass shows length in their suit right up to a trump stack. Partner is supposed to double for the partnership so the opponents do not escape their fate. The advantage of this inversion is finding your spot when the opponents have found their best fit thereby escaping their normal fate in these auctions. Knowing that partner is short in their suit is a great advantage so partner can start groping for the best game.

    Here is an example auction. 1♦-X-XX-2♣  X-P-?              responders has ♠Qxxx ♥AKxx ♦xx ♣Q10x so knowing partner is short in clubs tries 2♥. Partner bids game with ♠KJx ♥Qxxx ♦AKxxx ♣x for +650.  In a standard auction , after openers pass responder might be tempted to make a penalty double. This goes all pass & you collect your +100 instead of your +650.

    Another advantage is bidding NT without a stopper in their suit after partner passes. Say you held ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦xx ♣AKQJxx & the auction goes

1♦-X-XX-P 

P-1♥-P-P

1NT-P-3NT . You show heart length for your pass so the 3NT is right sided by partner. If they chose to bid a spade , you double to show shortness & again the NT is right sided when that is the correct contract. The double & pass systemically keys more directly on their suit which is a good thing in these misfit auctions.

    In game forcing auctions like 2/1 , the same inverted double structure applies. When they interfere when you own the auction , systemically you tell partner about length in their suit. This is a good thing for using the opponents as a stepping stone to get to your best contract. You still get to extract a penalty double but only handled differently. Your pass is not only forcing but shows length in their suit. Partner will bend over backwards to double for you in the re-opening chair as in negative double theory. Keying on their suit directly when you own the auction , just works better in forcing pass auctions.