February 2014 - 41

The thoroughly modern double
Weinstein explains that the modern
style is to play double here as takeout.
"My shape isn't perfect, but I have
extras."
Boehm uses the more technically
correct, "modern, who-knows-exactlywhat-it-means-but-it-transfers-theproblem-to-partner double" to describe
his action.
Robinson plays that his double here
is for takeout. "I'm showing a very good
hand."
The Sutherlins' double "shows about
an extra ace and is more takeout than
penalty."
Korbel and Cohen advocate an
overthrow of the system if double, in
this sequence, is penalty. Says Korbel,
"Nobody plays it that way anymore. If
partner chooses 3♦, I'll be guessing
again, but any other call and I'll be very
well placed."
"Everyone plays double for takeout
today," says Falk, "so if partner passes,
we'll decimate them (the opponents).
And if not, we'll be in a decent contract.
If partner bids 3♦, he'll have at least a
five-card suit. Bidding 2NT with a half
stopper or 3♣ on a weak suit does not
appeal. Hopefully partner will make
a good decision, and if it is a pass, we
will collect at least 300. If partner bids
diamonds, we will pass."
Waiting till problem No. 2 to complain this month ("You're not being
nice."), Lawrence riffles through the
bidding box cards to find 2NT. "If East
had passed, I would have bid 2NT.
Now my hand is not worth that much.
Even passing could be right. Double
is poor whether you play it as penalty
or takeout. I guess 2NT, but partner
won't realize how big my hand is on
this sequence. At least it leaves him
some wiggle room and it does allow
us to get to 3♠ if he has a weak spade
raise." Then, second-guessing himself,
"Passing might be the winner. Perhaps
partner can double 2♥, probably for
takeout, and I can bid 3♣ ..."
Hampson thinks 2NT is the superior
bid. "I don't want to risk the double,

leading us to a silly diamond contract.
So I make the value bid short a half a
stopper."
Lee chooses 2NT. "Because making a
takeout double leaves me poorly placed
if partner bids 3♦, I'll show my general
shape and strength. I don't like 3♣;
partner will expect less strength and
more shape and, in particular, better
clubs."
Sanborn says 2NT is what she would
have bid had it not been for the overcall.
"East's 2♥ hasn't changed my mind."
Kennedy tries 3♣. "I'm too strong
to pass, nor do I have the right type of
hand to double. All that's left is to bid
my second suit. 2♠ is tempting."
3. Matchpoints. None vulnerable.
♠A 7 2 ♥A 9 6 3 ♦4 ♣A K J 6 4
West

North

East

1♠

Pass

Call
Dbl
2♣
1NT
2♥
Pass

Votes
6
5
3
2
1

Panel's answers
August Boehm
Larry Cohen
Mel Colchamiro
Allan Falk
Geoff Hampson
Betty Ann Kennedy
Daniel Korbel
Mike Lawrence
Roger Lee
Jeff Meckstroth
Jill Meyers
Barry Rigal
Steve Robinson
Kerri Sanborn
Don Stack
The Sutherlins
Steve Weinstein

South
1♣
?
Award
100
90
70
60
60

1
4♠
4♠
4♠
4♠
Dbl
Dbl
4♠
4♠
4♠
Dbl
Dbl
4♠
Dbl
4♠
Dbl
Dbl
Dbl

2
Dbl
Dbl
2NT
Dbl
2NT
3♣
Dbl
2NT
2NT
2NT
Dbl
Dbl
Dbl
2NT
Dbl
Dbl
Dbl

The least lie
Meyers doubles for the third hand in
a row. "If partner bids 2♦, I will correct to 2♥, which should show longer
clubs and four hearts."
Double, in Stack's estimation, is not
ideal, but it's the least of the ills. "The
only downside is that partner may
bid diamonds. If this happens, we can
hopefully land on our feet by bidding
3♣. I'm not willing to pass with a hand
this strong."
Rigal doubles. "Here, I get to convert
2♦ to 2♥ and suggest extras with
this pattern in the rounded suits. Not
perfect, but nor do 1NT, 2♥ or 2♣ look
in the slightest degree attractive, so I'll
settle for the least lie."
Hampson is not discouraged by
partner's silence. "Double. I am unwilling to risk losing the heart suit just
because partner was not strong enough
to double 1♠."
A "tepid" 2♣ by Lawrence. "Nothing
terrible rates to happen, and it keeps
the ball rolling."
Sanborn, who is betting that partner
doesn't have a trap pass nor a decent
hand with four hearts, bids 2♣. "I want
to make it easy for us to compete later
if possible. It's all about the best

3
2♥
2♥
Pass
1NT
Dbl
1NT
2♣
2♣
2♣
2♣
Dbl
Dbl
Dbl
2♣
Dbl
Dbl
1NT

4
2♥
1♠
3♥
2♥
2♦
3♦
2♥
2♥
2♥
3♥
2♥
2♥
2♥
2♥
2♥
2♥
2♦

5
4♦
4♦
Pass
Pass
Pass
3♠
Pass
3♠
Pass
3♠
Pass
4♦
4♦
Pass
4♦
3♠
Pass

Total
440
400
390
470
430
340
490
430
460
380
490
480
470
460
470
460
430

February 2014 Bridge Bulletin

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2014