October 2006 - 47

Wielding the ax - part 1
Consider this quote from The Bridge
World, July 2006, a tournament report
of the 2005 Bermuda Bowl final
written by Larry Cohen.
"In this day and age, where experts
stretch to bid anything that smells
even close to a vulnerable game,
their opponents can fight back by
doubling more liberally. The IMP
odds are good. If they make their
contract, you probably lose only 5
IMPs; if you beat it one trick (and it
isn't doubled at the other table), you
win 3.The big payoff comes when
you beat the doubled game two tricks
(or more). Another factor is that it is
uncomfortable to play when doubled
(declarer might reject an all-out
attempt to make the contract for fear
of going for a big number). Most
importantly, if the opponents know
that you aren't afraid to use your red
card, the barrage of 'game on every
deal' could ease up for a while."
Bridge has its share of historical
trends. In the early days of contract,
psychic overcalls were quite common
and penalty doubles quickly exposed
them. The average player in earlier
eras overcalled in many unsound
situations, and good players relished
the opportunity for penalty doubles.
When negative doubles were
developed in the late Fifties, the trend
was headed toward sounder overcalls,
reducing the attraction of low-level
penalty doubles (although negative
doubles don't preclude obtaining a
penalty). Nowadays, very aggressive
tactics are the norm, so it seems
that the time is once again ripe for
the penalty double. Penalty-minded
opponents, however, are increasingly
rare - when was the last time you
were doubled at the one level? There
are so many types of takeout or
general strength doubles that even
experts frequently disagree over
October 2006

interpretation.
In my book Demon Defense and
Demon Doubling (HNB publishing
at www.hnbpub.com), I outline
numerous situations where penalty
doubles are the winning ticket.
Word might be getting around;
the book is headed for its third
printing. Nonetheless, I encounter
precious few penalty doubles at
the table. Some of the reluctance is
anxiety-based (penalty doubles raise
the stakes and the blood pressure).
Some is system-driven - the modern
style seems to treat the majority
of doubles as takeout or general
strength.
Overcoming anxiety is largely
a matter of having some positive
experience with penalty doubles.
The system hurdle is different. Many
situations that were classical penalty
doubles are now often treated as
takeout, such as:
1. 4 - Dbl as takeout, or
2. 1 - Pass - 1 - 3; Dbl
showing general strength, perhaps
J 5 A 4 3 A K J 8 4 A J 6, or
3. 1 - Pass - 1 - 2; Dbl
showing three-card spade support.
This is not to say that you should
abandon useful conventional doubles,
but when a partnership restricts itself
to fewer penalty double opportunities,
the opposition will become more
opportunistic. Almost everyone
prefers an unimpeded auction and
finds active opponents difficult
opponents. Hearkening back to Larry
Cohen's observation, the best way to
discourage opponents from frequent
overcalls and preempts is to wield the
ax. The tendency in modern bridge is
to compete on featherweight values.
If your opponents are bidding with a
sense of immunity, doesn't that create
an attractive climate for penalty
doubles?
To provide a structure, let's study

INTERMEDIATE PLAYERS

Boehm on Bridge

August Boehm
penalty doubles of four types: 1)
good doubles at any form of bridge,
2) good matchpoint doubles, 3)
laying the important groundwork for
penalty situations and 4) dangerous
or unwise doubles. Let's get started.
Neither vulnerable, you (East) hold:
A J A K 9 6 J 10 5 4 A J 7.
The auction develops:
West North East (You) South
1
Dbl
Pass
2
3
?
Question: if you double, what does
it mean? If the answer is unclear, the
partnership is in trouble. I suspect that
many modernists play this double as
values - a good hand that wants to
compete without a clear direction.
Change the 6 to the 6 to see the
value of such a treatment. With the
actual hand, however, the message
you'd most like to send is: "Partner,
let's defend if you have a normal
response - they are in trouble." The
basis behind penalty doubles is the
expectation that partner will pass.
Your first double suggests diamond
length; your second double confirms
it (and announces extra strength). I
think this is a sound double at any
type of bridge. In any event, a clear
partnership understanding is essential.
Is the penalty double irrevocable?
Few are - partner knows from your
takeout double that you hold support
for hearts, or at least tolerance. If his
Continued on page 48.
47
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2006
