[Poky]

The Portland case reminded me a case we had in my country last year.

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After the 2nd double east asks south about the meaning of the 2nd double:
- "Is this double informative*?" *A way to call a double that's not a penalty double (lets assume - something like "takeout")
- "Yes, I think so."
Everyone passes 2♣x for -3.
East, after seeing ♣AKQxx in north claims he got misinformed about the meaning of double and calls the director.
What do you think about this potential misinformation and the NS-bidding?
Do you rule "yes MI, no damage" or "no MI" (or something else)?

[gwnn]

If East had known x was penalty, he would have bid 2♠. Maybe his pass is a serious error, though, I'm not sure.

[WellSpyder]

Interesting choice by West to pass out 2♣X. Does that count as wild or gambling? I don't think this was particularly affected by MI - does it really make much difference whether it is N or S who has all the clubs? I wonder whether his partner has psyched a 1♠ response before after 1♥ was doubled and he was trying to field a bid that turned out not to be a psyche?

[gwnn]

good point, I wouldn't pass from West either.

[bluejak]

Even if we decide the actions of West are SEWoG - looks a pretty poor pass to me too - there is still the question of whether to adjust for N/S. As ever, the first thing to do is to ask South why he passed.

I wonder about the quality of the N/S players. This auction looks typical to me of poor players, more out of ignorance than anything else. With poor players they often pass when they cannot find a suit to bid! For example, many years ago I got 560 for 1♠ doubled plus two. LHO doubled for takeout, and RHO with five spades and one point could not think of anything to bid. Did I get a top? No, of course not, there were 560s all around the room.

East did not help matters by asking whether the double was informative, rather than asking what the double was. This sort of question tends to create MI, especially amongst lesser players, who do not like to answer "No" even when they are unsure or do not know what it is.

[Poky]

bluejak, on 2011-April-01, 07:33, said:

I wonder about the quality of the N/S players. This auction looks typical to me of poor players, more out of ignorance than anything else.

Interesting view, I have to admit.

And what are doing expert players with south's hand? Bidding 2♦ with three cards and bottom of their range (both in view of points and distribution) just to induce a very strong partner to rebid something, aiming towards an almost sure minus score (clearly being propelled by the unfavorable vulnerability that offers EW much tactical/bluffing space)?

Or maybe you just wanted to say that north with 22 points and 8 contols (missing a spade stopper) has a comfortable pass over 2♣?

[bluejak]

A strong North player will not show values he has already shown by bidding again, and he will not assume that a suit forced out of partner is four cards long.