Question 1: With both partners doubling, the second partner’s double is not for penalty. How should East interpret West’s double? In this auction, West is likely best to bid notrump, but decides to show support for East’s suggested suits. Since East is showing both black suits with the negative double, and since West did not bid one of the black suits thereby denying 4-card support, the double by West was intended to show 3-card support in both of East’s suits. This would ask East to pick a suit. Is this how the second double should be interpreted?
Question 2: If West’s spades and hearts were reversed (S-AJx H-xxx) would this change the picture? That is, NT is now not an attractive option. Should West double, or is it better to pass?
Answer: The auction is perfect up until the West’s double. If your intent is to show 3-card support in partner’s two suits (from negative double), this would have to be something that the partnership has discussed in full: listing the types of auctions, the point count by opener, etc, etc, etc. Also, if it is a partnership understanding, it should be alerted. This would not be the normal interpretation of West’s double. I would suggest that the double shows a stronger hand and either play it as take-out or penalty double, more likely take-out, denying 4 spades and 4 clubs. I would also rule out the no-trump option with this hand: not enough strength. I would suggest that a 2NT bid in this auction should show the 18-19 HCP hand with hearts stopped or double stopped.
With West’s hand, I would pass 2H. This should show minimum values and less than 4 spades. If East reopens with a double, as East should do with this hand, I would then bid 2NT. This would deny 4 spades and 4 clubs. East also should realize that West does not likely have 5 diamonds and therefore should have 3 clubs and can correct to 3C.
If West’s hearts and spades are reverse (AJx of spades), I would bid 2S over East’s reopening double. East should assume you only have 3 spades since you did not bid 2S over the 2H raise by South.
So, pass says to partner, I don’t have 4 spades and I am minimum. East, then, can decide if the partnership is strong enough to compete. With a poor 5 to 7 point, East would be very happy to defend and stay out of trouble. With this hand, a good 10 points, East will wish to compete but only for a part score since West has now shown a minimum hand.