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Double is penalties or take-out! Which?

Multi Meaning.

The Multi 2 is not a universally loved convention even in “Multi – land” New Zealand. That will be seen in our Panel’s comments. However, it is commonly played by our tournament players as well as many in our clubs. So, it is relevant…and I like it!

It does create issues which “Weak 2’ers” smile at. “Not our problem” they say. So, I raise one problem today, as to what happens when an opponent makes a jump overcall.

 

2 was a Multi, 2-way, 3-way..no matter. Weak 2 in a major, 20-22 balanced and maybe strong minor option too. 3 was described as pre-emptive.

I raise this issue because it is common practice to play all doubles of interference after the Multi for penalties. An exception is an overcall of 2 or 2 where double says “what have you got, partner?” It’s quite good when they have overcaller’s suit, a weak hand but 6 trumps!

Double of a 3/ overcall is certainly for blood because you can use a pass/correct major bid to find partner’s Weak 2. Yet, is this the same when the opponent makes a weak jump overcall? It would be lovely to make a “what have you got, partner, double” here but does double have that meaning?

If you or partner gets the wrong meaning of double, it could be disastrous. In no doubt and regarding “double” as the safe option is:

Kris Wooles “Double: Take- out. I thought of bidding 4 but a nightmare scenario would be if partner had a weak 2 in hearts and an unsuspecting South is pre-empting with a 7-card suit. Double should cover my paranoia.”

Maybe Andy and Kris are not partners!

Andy Braithwaite “4: All depends on your agreement. If you play takeout doubles this is perfect for this hand but if the agreement is penalties then you have a problem. The likely option is that partner has a weak 2 in spades so 4 would be the best bid to get partner to clarify.”

but Kris and Peter are as one:

Peter Newell “Double: take-out - if partner has a weak 2 in hearts and North passes partner will no doubt too. If partner is an aggressive bidder, it may come close but happy to take my chances. If partner has a strong hand or a weak 2 in spades, then doubling is pretty important.”

Like Nigel, I guessed a spade Weak 2 opposite but I waited. Surely if that was the case, North would raise hearts and then I could bid 4. I waited but “waited and passed, unsure of “double”. Full marks to Nigel for trying even though the Multi is not his flavour:

Nigel Kearney “4: I have no idea really. I don't usually play multi and when I do, I play double is pass or correct at the two level only. I'm choosing to bet on partner having spades and obviously will get a bottom if not.”

The last comment may not be true unless your partner did have a Weak 2 in hearts.

Some advice from another “non Multi player”

Stephen Blackstock “Double: No, I am not a fan of the multi, for a number of reasons, so am not au fait with what may be normal for responder after interference. If doubles are take- out, which seems a sensible arrangement, then that seems perfect. If this E/W pair plays double here as penalties, then I give up and can only hope this hand encourages them to review their methods.”

While Michael Cornell pulled out the abstention card being no fan of the system. More negative doubles:

Bruce Atkinson “Double: It is likely partner has a Weak Two in spades but that is not certain. I recall a similar hand played in a Congress years ago where I was so certain partner must have that hand I bid game in spades and partner had hearts, which were divided 7-6!  I do not think double should be penalties given that partner can have three hand types and responder needs some way to progress the auction. Pass could see a game in spades missed as why should partner bid again with a Weak Two in spades.

If partner has a strong balanced hand and passes my double, dummy will have nothing so South will be in deep trouble. If partner bids a minor I will cue bid hearts showing slam interest.”

 

and caution from my only supporter:

Julie Atkinson “Pass: Partner can still have hearts. If they don’t, I am backing myself to have another bid here. Years ago, playing rubber bridge at home, after a multi 2, I overcalled 4 and went -2300 . An expensive lesson at the time.”

 

 

 

Covering all options, bar two, is:

Pam Livingston “Double: This says tell me more please.   In response to the double:

Pass     with a weak hand with 6 hearts 

Bid 3  with a weak 6 card spade.  

Bid 3NT with an 8 playing trick minor hand with a heart stop.

Bid your minor with an 8 playing trick minor hand without a heart stop.”

 

Say partner had 20-22. They would bid 3NT with fair hearts and use the Pass card if they were “more than fair”.

 

 

3Hx would not be pretty for the declarer, -1100 on a good day, maybe even -1400. (oh, only 19 if you are counting but a decent 19!)

Partner was praying for the double but it never came. They emerged with 3NT raised a level by West and that was the final bid. 6 is a fair spot though it does require South to have at least 2 cards in each black suit as first a spade and maybe a club have to be ruffed (and you must cash two rounds of both black suits before you ruff either, to stop South discarding).

Opportunity lost

So, opportunity lost through uncertainty of what double would be.

It would seem double of 3 of a minor is correctly penalties but double of a pre-emptive jump should be take-out style. What say the jump is Intermediate style for that is more normal after what is likely to be a weak opening? That probably is take-out too, certainly easier on the memory if there is no difference.

 

 

Richard Solomon

 

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