BIDDING OVER A TAKE OUT DOUBLE IN 4TH SEAT

 

Mr.Naba’s question :-

 

Dear Sridhar,

My hand was xxx AQJ xxxx Axx
bidding was My RHO ->1S   Pass   Pass   double

                                          2S   ?
what should be my ideal bid ?
actually I bid double then P P P and opponent fulfilled the contract with 1 OT. My Partner's hand was AQx K10xxx void Q10xxx

we play 2/1 GF.  what should be our ideal development of bidding ?

 

Sridhar’s views:

 

The difference between a take out double in direct seat and 4th seat is the balancing DOUBLE can be lighter in HCP strength upto the value of a king ( say 3 HCP) . The  requirements of shape for a take out double remain unchanged . For eg one should not make a take out double , even in the 4th seat , with 3 or more more spades merely to show  opening hand values !  

 

Hence, at IMPs, I see the following possible bids in your hand – 1.PASS 2. DOUBLE 3. 3S. Other bids like jumping to game in NT or H are wild decisions that I do not advocate.

 

  1. PASS – This is a conservative action at IMPs , but does not mislead partner ; he still has another chance to balance ; if he has a minimum and passes 2S, we may be in a part-score situation where the exchange may not be high – say compared to our side reaching an unmakeable game and going minus , perhaps doubled. Partner knows I did not double 2S for penalties, but I am marked with values since they have passed the hand in 2S, and will certainly bid with shape , particularly a hand with shortage in spades. We will then be well placed to reach our optimal contract.
  2. DOUBLE – This has a serious deficiency – (a) it is for penalties (b) I have no trump control or trump tricks (c) It discourages partner from bidding further (when I want him to bid his suit and compete /reach our game). Partner cannot expect that I doubled 2S for penalties with XXX in trumps !
  3. 3S – This is an aggressive action ; experts all over the world do bid aggressively at IMPs in competition ; the modern trend is to reach games at IMPs even if they have low chances of success.  However , since this double is made over a 4th seat take out double , partner may assume spade values and length in my hand that are unsuitable for doubling 2S for penalties – for eg AXXX , AKXX, KXXX in spades – and bid 3N which may not be a success. Further,if he has a minimum hand , we will be overboard at 4 / 5 level and go minus.

 

In view of the above considerations, I find it is close between PASS and 3S ; I recommend a PASS  as the bid of 3S is ‘impure’ .

 

With best wishes

Sridhar