From: varvel@cs.utexas.edu (Donald A. Varvel)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Simple question about how to play takeout doubles
Date: 10 Nov 1992 19:18:18 -0600
Organization: U Texas Dept of Computer Sciences, Austin TX
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: im4u.cs.utexas.edu

In article <1dnvm9INN6b5@corax.udac.uu.se> olle@astro.uu.se (Olof Morell) writes:
>In article <1992Nov9.222945.14874@midway.uchicago.edu>, pynq@quads.uchicago.edu (George Jetson) writes:
>|> My partner and I currently play that a takeout double guarantees 3+
>|> cards of each unbid suit.  This was his idea, not mine, but I think it
>|> is essentially sound.  It means that you can compete in any suit after
>|> partner's double.
 
>|> However, the downside of this is that you have to play essentially
>|> unlimited overcalls (the ubiquitous "6+ HCP" on the card...).
>|> 
>|> My question is this, "Is this style playable, or is it necessary to have
>|> an upper bound on overcalls?"

>I've never met anyone plying UNLIMITED overcalls, it's just a matter
>of where the upper limit is.

I've met lots of people playing unlimited overcalls, but then I live
in the US.  I have never met anyone playing unlimited overcalls with
a lower limit of 6 HCP, though.  (Glancing through a collection of
experts' convention cards I see Tom and Carol Sanders listing their
range as "6 to 40".  I suppose it happens.)

>|> Overall, I am happy playing this way, but it does give you a problem on:
 
>|> 	AKTxx,x,KQxx,Axx

>This hand is a bordeline case, with one of my partners I would overcall
>1S, and with another I would have to double. Partner needs to have about
>8 points and a spade fit to make game, so 1S is what I would prefer.
>Looking at the hand it seems like LHO is going to raise hearts very soon,
>and then you'll be better placed after 1S: e.g.

>1H - 1S - 2H - p 
>p  - D!

If I remember correctly, the opening bid was 1C.  Does that change
anything?

Consider a club opening, and the hand above makes a takeout double.
3rd hand raises to 3C, preemptive.  4th hand holds x Qxxxxx Jxxx xx.
Obviously 4th hand must pass.  But look what you can make opposite
an average takeout double:  Axxx Kxxx KQxx x.  Now I won't suggest
bidding methods should be tailored toward getting to 15-HCP games,
but the heart support makes a tremendous difference.  Opposite a
distributional takeout double it is *always* safe to bid a 6-card
major at the 3-level.  Opposite a "too strong to overcall" double
it is not.

I rather like "optional" doubles -- ones that show strong balanced
hands.  But a double that simply shows some cards, without saying
anything about distribution, leaves a weak distributional responder
at a loss.

I believe that when you hold a one-suiter and the opponents open
the bidding, it is best to get the suit in early.  When you hold a
two-suiter, either make a two-suited overcall or bid one of the
suits.  With balanced hands and 3-suiters the takeout double is
reasonable.  This means you sometimes have trouble telling whose
hand it is when partner overcalls.  Nothing is perfect.  But holding
a strong but not overpowering 1-suiter I'll bid the suit and expect
to be ahead of the field.

If you believe strongly in lead direction, go ahead and overcall
1S on KJxxx xx Qxx xxx.  I won't be joining you.

-- Don Varvel (varvel@cs.utexas.edu)