2008-03-19 20:10

Hand Evaluation - Unlimited Hands ( D.S.I.P. )

PITBULLS:

Competitive doubles are too unwieldy when they are too all encompassing. D.S.I.P. 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 own the auction. What are about unlimited hands which we can not tell that from the bidding that we do or do not own the auction ? After experimenting with these hand types , we now feel that unlimited hands should default to a penalty double. The concept of limited or unlimited hands should define your penalty vrs competitive doubles.

Unlimited hands are an important concept. Minorwood is dependent on whether a hand is unlimited or not. Courtesy Q bids & serious 3NT depend on whether partner is unlimted 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 in these auctions where you could be unlimited. The double as penalty means the bidding will be the same as at the other table.

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.

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 of 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. 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 unlimited hands. If partner has made a 2/1 & subsequently doubles their suit , it is penalty. This is because the 2/1 could be unlimited. The opener of the 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 if the double is penalty. If we are behind the suit , the double is penalty. If we are in front of their suit , the double is D.S.I.P. 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. If 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. 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 Bridge.