[Elendra]

IMP. All red, in fourth seat you hold:

♠A653
♥A
♦A853
♣T752

Pa- 1♥-2♠-???

Playing negative doubles, is dbl here for takeout in ♦ and ♣?
Or should one bid NT? And if so, 2NT or 3NT?

Thanks in advance.

[paulg]

Elendra, on 2011-April-15, 03:22, said:

IMP. All red, in fourth seat you hold:

♠A653
♥A
♦A853
♣T752

Pa- 1♥-2♠-???

Playing negative doubles, is dbl here for takeout in ♦ and ♣?
Or should one bid NT? And if so, 2NT or 3NT?

Thanks in advance.

Double is takeout, essentially for the minors. As you are forcing to the three-level with a double, it needs more high-card or distributional points than a negative double where partner can respond at a lower level.

This is not an easy hand to bid and shows why people pre-empt. Although 2♠ is described as weak, opposite a passed partner it can be quite wide ranging. The length in spades is a plus for playing notrump, as you can duck a round or two and try to freeze RHO out. However I think it is premature to commit to notrump when you could have a good minor fit and your hand is quite slam-suitable if partner has a good 5-5. So I am tempted to double and hope that things work out.

If partner responds with 3♣ or 3♦, I will follow up with 3NT. If partner rebids 3♥, my aces suggest a suit contract and I can raise to 4♥.

[Phil]

I like 2N. If partner then bids 3 minor, my hand is huge. If partner raises to 3, I expect to make it on power.

I don't like double, because I am effectively forcing partner to bid a minor on a 2533 pattern which looks bad for us, but won't play too poorly if they don't lead a trump.

[ahydra]

I'd bid 3NT.

ahydra