Recently I held S QJ975432 H Q5 D 9 C 93, LHO opened 1D, partner doubled for takeout and RHO bid 2D. I bid 4S, LHO bid 5D, partner doubled and it was passed out.
Questions:
1. If partner passed 5D, would it be forcing?
2. What does partner’s double in direct seat show?
3. Should he have some diamond tricks or does my pass imply that?
4. What should a balancing double look like?
Answers:
1. A pass by partner over 5D would be forcing. You bid game over the TO double. A double by partner here suggest that you have 2 losers in diamonds. A pass is forcing and shows either no losers or 1 loser at most.
2. A direct seat double is take-out and should show about an opening hand and support for the other 3 suits. Now, support does not mean 4-card support, it implies 3+ card support for the other 3 suits.
3. The double first warns that the 5-level may not be safe (2 diamond losers) but that the partnership has at least 3 tricks outside of diamonds (we bid game). A pass by responder does not suggest diamond tricks.: simply taking the warning.
4. A balancing double (a take out double by a passed hand) should show a desire to compete and suggests that the doubler has less than an opening hand, or wrong distribution to act in second seat.
Hope this helps.