[Antrax]

Yesterday we had the following auction:
1♦-(2♠)-3♥-(4♠)
At this point it's clear to both partners the opponents are weak with a spade fit.
Opener doesn't have a heart fit (has a small singleton). What does opener look for here when deciding whether to double, bid (diamonds or clubs) or pass?
Next, if opener passes, is double from responder penalty or reopening?
If opener doubles what does he promise and when does responder remove it?

I know these are pretty vague questions, if it helps I can provide the actual hands, but I just realized we didn't discuss such cases at all, so I'm mostly looking for general guidelines.

[ahydra]

Whether playing forcing passes or not, double is usually penalty (or at the very most "extra values"). So opener would double if he thinks he can beat 4S - on an auction like this, playing partner for say 1 trick. He's not promising anything else except some defensive values.

Not playing forcing passes:
- bidding would normally show a hand that is likely to do better on offense than defense, say xxx x AKQx AQJxx. Here you may well beat 4S but if partner has the HA and support for a minor then you'll likely make 5m.
- If opener he can't bid or double, he passes.
- Responder normally wouldn't remove the double unless he a) thinks the opponents' contract might make (because he's bid on shape rather than values) and/or b) thinks he can make a contract of his own.

If playing forcing passes, double retains its usual meaning. Bidding is the same but replacing "likely" with "almost definitely", because with a hand that's unsure if it will do better in offense or defense, opener can now pass, leaving the choice to responder. Responder should bid simply according to whether he thinks his side will do better defending or not.

Playing forcing passes has another advantage which is opener can show extreme (normally 6-5 or better) shapes by passing and then pulling responder's X. e.g. - xx AQJxxx KQJxx (if responder doesn't double, but instead bids, opener can bid slam since responder's said "we can make a contract even if you have an average 1D opener").

ahydra

[mich-b]

Assuming this is a Forcing Pass situation for you (I think it should be) , Opener doubles when his hand has some (most) of the following :
1. Has values in ♠s.
2. Short in ♥s.
3. Overall minimum.
4. No extreme shape with the minors.
Generally a double here suggests that opener believes responder should not be bidding again.
Opener might prefer bidding when he is 6-5 in the minors , or a 7 card ♦ suit.
Also , he has the option of Passing , and pulling partner's double , showing still a lot of shape , and a better hand.

Responder's double is his default action with no special shape. He should expect to play 4♠X unless opener was planning a "pass and pull". This should be ok , since neither opener nor responder have good shape for bidding more. If opener doubled responder will often leave it in, but he may bid again with either :
1. An undisclosed fit for opener's minor.
2. Good hand with long, solid ♥s.
3. Some other hands with excellent shape.

[aguahombre]

Very nice, Mich.

[Antrax]

Thanks to both of you. Somehow this topic seems much simpler now