[jillybean]

Dealer: North Vul: EW Scoring: IMP

♠ J64 ♥ J53 ♦ 83 ♣ AQ942

West North East South

 -     1♦    Pass  1NT
 Pass  Pass  2♠    Pass
 Pass  Dbl   Pass   

Playing 'standard' sayc, no special agrrements other than off shape 1nt.
What is double here and why please?

[ArcLight]

I don't know what the standard is but ask the followng questions:

1 - how could the opp pass, then make a weak spade bid? How is it flawed? A weak jump overcall of 2♠ is very obstructive. To pass implies a flaw, maybe a 5 card suit? Maybe its just a mistake (bad bid)

2 - from the openers point of view, responder denied a 4 card major, and denied 5 (and probably 4) Diamonds. Responder is probably 3=3=3=4 or has even more Clubs. Therefore a take out double doesnt make sense. Responder can only have Clubs, so opener can bid them, not double. Opener probably doesn't want to play in a 4-3 fit.

This leaves the meaning of PENALTY. That Spade Jack will be useful..
Lead a diamond, expect a spade back.


>no special agrrements other than off shape 1nt.

I think 1NT is a fine bid.

[jtfanclub]

It can't possibly be takeout.

The only possible means are pure penalty, and action. On this auction, however, I'm having a hard time imagining the hand that would have bid 1NT and yet be so offensively oriented that he can't leave in the double for penalty. Maybe if he had xx in spades, 4 diamonds, and for some reason bid 1NT anyways.

At any rate, whether 'action' or penalty, you have a clear pass here.

[inquiry]

I am going to suggest this is not takeout. You pretty much denied hearts with 1NT, so your partner knows you have either 4♦+ or 4♣+. He is not doubling 2♠ to find a 4-3 ♥ fit. If he was interested in your better minor, I guess he might be able to bid 2NT here, or up and bid 3♣ (he would be 5-4 in minors in this case).

No this double is not takeout. That does not necessarily mean it is penalty either. It could be the famous action double or the DSIP double (do something intellegent partner), or it could be penalty. I choose the either answer, but not becase I thought it could be takeout, but because I thought it could be something other than pure penalty.

But with 3♠, good clubs, short in partners first suit, I leave it in, and lead a trump.

[ArcLight]

>But with 3♠, good clubs, short in partners first suit, I leave it in, and lead a trump.


Is a trump called for on this auction?
Is the lead of a ♦ not good?
Hopefully setting up ♦, and allowing a ruff, as well as pard leading a spade to our Jack?

[FrancesHinden]

Penalties.

Whether you are expected to pull with a singleton, or with a low doubleton, is worth partnership discussion, but I expect my partner to have four good trumps.

Close between a diamond and a trump lead. I'd probably lead a diamond.