Board 22
East Deals
E-W Vul
♠ A 2
♥ Q J 10 2
♦ A K 3 2
♣ J 7 3
♠ J 10
♥ A K 9 8 6 5 4
♦ Q 8 7
♣ K
N
W E
S
♠ K Q 8 3
♥ 7 3
♦ 10 9 5 4
♣ Q 9 5
♠ 9 7 6 5 4
♥ —
♦ J 6
♣ A 10 8 6 4 2

Question:

In the hand above, I held the North hand.  West opened 1 Heart, East bid 1 Spade and West bid 4 Hearts, which I doubled.  My partner thought it was a take-out double and bid 5 Clubs.  The question is around my double.  I thought that if I was going to double for take-out, I would need to do it at the first opportunity and this double was for penalty.  Everyone else thought it was for take-out.  Please comment.  Also, I guess I could have overcalled 1 NT.

 

Answer:

First, I would suggest you overcall I NT since it is very easy to lose the bidding battle in a competitive situation.  Partner will likely not compete with a limited hand.

Now for the double.  Your double was certainly for penalty.  You took no action over 1 Heart and then doubled 4 Hearts.  This is strictly for penalty.  If you wanted partner to bid in this situation, you would bid 4NT.  With a void in hearts, partner should envision you with a heart stack.  Partner will be happy to contribution a potential club trick.

 

 

 

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