Friday, February 02, 2007 12:18 AM

Hand Evaluation - Co-operative Doubles

PITBULLS:

D.S.I.P. doubles are competitive doubles & not co-operative doubles per se. The two concepts converge though when your side does not have an announced fit. D.S.I.P. doubles become co-operative doubles. When the level of bidding is up in the stratosphere but forcing pass theory still does not apply , co-operative doubles are the tool of choice. These doubles mean we have the balance of power. We do not own the auction per se but they are just too high to make anything. If partner is too distributional to leave in the double , she pulls. Very simple.

The forcing NT brings in the concept of “co-operative doubles” . By the nature of the beast you do not have a fit for partner. If the opponents “back in” your auction after a forcing NT, doubles are not D.S.I.P. they are penalty & in one case co-operative. A hand held by Tom Gandolfo tonight shows the exception to the penalty double. When you respond 1NT after a 1♥ opening , the odds are that you do not hold spades. Therefore , all subsequent doubles of spades by the 1NT bidder should be co-operative. Tom held ♠Qxx ♥xxx ♦Jxx ♣AKJ10 , bid 1NT intending on giving a limit raise in hearts. However , after my 2♦ rebid , the vulnerable opponents vrs not backed in 2♠. Here the vulnerability should dictate the bid.

Tom makes a co-operative double , I hold ♠J1098 ♥AKJxx ♦AQ10x ♣void . Disaster for them & +800 or +1100 for us , depending on the defense. Tom’s double must be co-operative but I convert for penalty. The double is the most flexible bid in Bridge. In modern bidding , everybody loves to bid sometimes regardless of the vulnerability. Do not rescue them by bidding a suit. If you have a co-operative double at your disposal , look for opportunities to use it.

It is safer to use co-operative doubles when you play disciplined opening bids. Co-operative doubles are useless when partners opener does not promises quick tricks so may just be a collection of queens & jacks totaling 12 HCP’s. Co-operative doubles are not for modern bidders as you are just probably putting your side in trouble.