jdonn, on Jun 25 2010, 01:01 PM, said:
We have a minimum, the least shape possible, good defense, shortness in partner's suit, and one of our honors in the opponent's suit. What is so wrong about double?
To me it is a question of double or pass and I lean toward doubling for the reasons above. If partner makes game opposite our hand based on shape he should have bid it last round. And if partner makes game opposite our hand based on strength then we are about to cream them.
Plus he is allowed to bid 5♣ even if we do double! Sure he will usually pass but I haven't stolen his bidding box.
We start with the assumption that he has a proper 4
♣ call. Thus, he has both limited and decribed his hand reasonably well: certainly he has described its likely playing strength well. We, otoh, have given only a vague description.
He has transferred captaincy to us. If we double it is PENALTY, and he has zero right to pull it if his hand matches the description he has already provided.
Indeed, the shorter his hearts, the happier he should be, assuming that his hand was not so offensive that he ought to have bid game last time.
In short, I can't imagine partner pulling...it may be legal, but it won't be bridge.
That isn't saying that double is 'wrong', but it is saying that we can't hope for partner to rescue us when it is.
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
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