[mike777]

http://webutil.bridg...tch.php?id=1565


Roger takes on a discussion that is common, very common but difficult for most of us.

Thank you Roger. Thank you very much.

[JLOGIC]

cleeeee

[Phil]

I taught a 3 week series on takeout doubles that just ended. A lot of my challenges were trying to show my students the following;

- doubling on 4333 is ok (sorry Brits!)
- you don't need four cards in the other major
- do not overcall when you have 2335minor
- overcall and don't double when you have a 5 card major
- ok to x with 44M and 3 in their minor
- upper limit for an overcall is a lot higher than you might think


And then clees transcript came out which I insta forwarded lol. Forums rule!!

[rogerclee]

There's gonna be a few more, stay tuned!

[MickyB]

Good stuff, but I strongly disagree with doubling after 1H-P-2H holding a balanced 9-count. Partner is still there.

[PhilKing]

MickyB, on 2013-May-11, 09:16, said:

Good stuff, but I strongly disagree with doubling after 1H-P-2H holding a balanced 9-count. Partner is still there.

I think you should reread it.

[MickyB]

PhilKing, on 2013-May-11, 09:21, said:

I think you should reread it.

Done. Now what?

[Fluffy]

now notice the passed hand argument?, if you had previously done so I disagree with you about not doubling with a passed hand 4243 9 count even vulnerable, but I only play MPs.

[PhilKing]

MickyB, on 2013-May-11, 09:26, said:

Done. Now what?

Oh, lol. My bad - didn't see the full answer to the Q and A.

[rogerclee]

MickyB, on 2013-May-11, 09:16, said:

Good stuff, but I strongly disagree with doubling after 1H-P-2H holding a balanced 9-count. Partner is still there.

I tried to make it clear that I thought that doubling on hands like the one is a partnership decision, not one that I would just do. I also said it was close, and that either style of bridge is fine to me.

TBH I would not be surprised to learn that a lot of good players disagree with something I wrote. That seems fine to me, it was not geared towards top players. The thing I wanted to underscore the most is that non-experts tend to be too passive in the auction. I wanted to show a lot of hands where a non-expert would probably consider it insane to bid, when in reality it is reasonably close.

[barmar]

Balancing is a more complicated issue than takeout doubles in general. Mike Lawrence recently put a vastly revised version of his book on balancing.

[r_prah]

Great exposition, outlining modern expert treatment. My only disagreement is on hand #3, I would not double with a balanced 10 count.

[Flem72]

I'm interested in the theoretical basis for doubling in front of partner, who will balance with virtually any hand that would make the double successful. HCP distribution? I note that on hands 5 & 6, doubler's partner has a pretty normal balancing call.

[kuhchung]

r_prah, on 2013-May-13, 07:26, said:

Great exposition, outlining modern expert treatment. My only disagreement is on hand #3, I would not double with a balanced 10 count.

Is that the hand with 2443 A K K after (1S) to you?

I was surprised at that double. Recalibrating!

[dustinst22]

Phil, on 2013-May-11, 08:21, said:

- upper limit for an overcall is a lot higher than you might think

What's your upper limit for an overcall, Phil?

[Phil]

dustinst22, on 2013-May-13, 15:57, said:

What's your upper limit for an overcall, Phil?

For me the practical limit is around 19 but if pressed I could construct a hand where it is higher.

[cherdano]

I really don't like where this is going. First Larry Cohen teaches everyone to compete aggressively with a fit, now Roger is teaching them to look for fits aggressively. Will I ever get to play 2H in the club any more?

[JLOGIC]

Adapt and start doubling 3m when theyre red and you have 23 HCP. People overcompeting vul because they think they can't sell out is a great spot if you know how to X and defend well, lots of tops.

[r_prah]

kuhchung, on 2013-May-13, 15:54, said:

Is that the hand with 2443 A K K after (1S) to you?

I was surprised at that double. Recalibrating!

Yes, that is the hand.

[1eyedjack]

cherdano, on 2013-May-13, 18:05, said:

I really don't like where this is going. First Larry Cohen teaches everyone to compete aggressively with a fit, now Roger is teaching them to look for fits aggressively. Will I ever get to play 2H in the club any more?

Perhaps it doesn't matter too much provided that both members of the partnership adopt the same style. Both Lee-style or both Cohen-style, but never the twain should meet?