tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post4626764174905394629..comments2023-06-27T03:12:33.875-07:00Comments on Becker's Bridge Blog: Light Negative DoublesBeckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13964251260317901284noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-56888624261384365492010-07-23T11:39:56.050-07:002010-07-23T11:39:56.050-07:00I'm like pretty much everybody else. The first...I'm like pretty much everybody else. The first one doesn't appeal to me, but I like the second one because I have all three suits.Memphis MOJOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12653631347560307425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-73699196113171029362010-07-22T07:07:02.131-07:002010-07-22T07:07:02.131-07:00I'm not worried about Jonathan's balanced ...I'm not worried about Jonathan's balanced 18, I'm worried about the shapely 12 counts like <br /><br />AKXX<br />X<br />XXX<br />AJ10XX<br /><br />which leaves us going -110 instead of +420. A big risk to take, when the risk of doubling is, I think, comparatively quite small.Kenny Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13778495685129438565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-16303048668321501652010-07-21T21:56:21.205-07:002010-07-21T21:56:21.205-07:00In his book on contested auctions Mike Lawrence ha...In his book on contested auctions Mike Lawrence has a small section on negative doubles after an adverse 3-level preempt. There he states that "10 working points is par for the bid". Seems like a reasonable default absent partnership's agreement to the contrary. <br /><br />Best regards,<br />AlexUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723093744971484426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-80036486633335670242010-07-21T11:20:55.526-07:002010-07-21T11:20:55.526-07:00shape is more important than strength on these han...shape is more important than strength on these hands. We're not missing much if we both have 3 clubs. I'd pass without thought on the first hand, expecting parner to reopen with any hand that has a 4 card major and a stiff club. Then I'd bid 4cl asking him to pick a major suit game. I'd double without much concern on the second hand, because partner will otherwise be stuck with his likely 3 card club suit and if he has a 4 card major too we're likely to miss a game.Kenny Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13778495685129438565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-20854075832804893942010-07-21T07:19:01.257-07:002010-07-21T07:19:01.257-07:00The first one I would let go; I think partner will...The first one I would let go; I think partner will have enough to x if we have a game. (I'll bid 4c over x.) It is tempting to X to ensure we compete enough for the partscore at these colors, but i'll say a close pass.<br /><br />Second one also very close. Naturally now that we have a stiff in their suit you took away hcp to torture us. You have a very high chance they have a 9+ card fit because partner didn't open 1D, which provides some safety. So X will usually work out...but I guess I still pass. If I thought partner would pass with a balanced 18 I would have to X, but I think he can X with something like AKx AKxx xxx KJx and again I'll cuebid in response. I could be convinced passing is wrong...make a Q a K and I'll bid all day.Jonathan Weinsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576500112947042008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134266908982491508.post-28032180062702855002010-07-21T02:26:58.937-07:002010-07-21T02:26:58.937-07:00Three small clubs on the first hand are a real tur...Three small clubs on the first hand are a real turn-off. If partner has a balanced 12-14 hand then we really don't want to be competing at the three level.<br /><br />I'd also pass the second one. It is just too weak even though the diamond singleton is golden.<br /><br />Life is rarely easy after a pre-empt. Perhaps they should be banned!Paul Gipsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13564960646170455536noreply@blogger.com