[Double !]

whereagles, on Jul 12 2005, 11:26 AM, said:

In the vast majority of the cases, mistakes are compond. It takes two to tango..

10-4
I agree

Someone suggested that the neg X hand might be 1345. If such a hand has some values in diamonds, this hand should not (IMO) make a negative double, but instead should pass. The template distributional pattern for a negX on this sequence is 2434. The farther one deviates from the template, the better the hand needs to be. So, unless P has a 1-suited hand that is not strong enough to bid the suit directly, I think it's reasonable to assume P has 4 hearts (if nothing else, make this a default feature of a negX).

It brings to mind an old cartoon that was in some bridge magazine eons ago. Two elderly ladies are sitting at a bridge table. One lady says to the other. "Now remember, Mabel, 4NT is always blackwood!". Now this is not an expert position to take, but there is a message there. Specifically, better to have clear criteria for or meaning of a bid, even if they're poor or less optimal, if it reduces poor results due to misunderstandings.

[awm]

inquiry, on Jul 12 2005, 07:39 AM, said:

Normal auction

1C - 1S     *insted of 1N, 2C if you don't rebid with stiff
1N* - 2D     2D checkback nmf
2H - 4H     painless.

IF WEST overcalls 2D after north opens, north can DOUBLE if takeout or pass if not (say playing support double). Either way, south introduces hearts, and game is still reached, If double is takeout, south will jumpt to 4H over 2D X. If norht passes, south will bid 2H and north will raise to 3, still reaching game.

That IS MY Assessment. Does all the typing add to the blame assessment? I think not. The original answer, ?north should think to open with an opening hand" was just as accurate, and just as "complete" as needed to be.

I've always found it amusing how many people seem to like to open most 11-counts, and force game with most 11-counts opposite an opening bid. And indeed, on this particular hand game is okay (although I'd hesitate to say it's great, as others have commented you may have trouble tracking down 10 winners despite having only 3 losers). But wouldn't the bidding go the same way if opener held:

xx
QTxx
KQx
AJxx

It seems like for every well-fitting game that you find by opening 10 and 11-counts (and forcing game with 11-counts and a fit opposite them), you will probably go down in four or five games where the hands just don't quite fit right. But that's just me, I've seen plenty of experts who go for the "open all 11s, GF with most 11s opposite opener" style.

On the actual hand I'd place the blame with south. A negative double followed by 2NT must show four hearts. Since a direct 2NT would show essentially the same hand (balanced-ish shape possibly short spades, diamond stoppers, invitational strength) I don't see any reason not to bid 2NT directly except for the desire to find a 4-4 heart fit.

Bidding game on these hands is a bit of a stretch opposite the known diamond wastage. I would probably try 3♦ as south over 2NT (showing the singleton, some game interest in hearts) which will get me to game if the north hand is:

x
QTxx
Axx
KJxxx

but probably not on the actual hand.