Sunday, April 25, 2004 1:02 AM

D.S.I.P. & Takeout Doubles

 

PITBULLS:

 

          D.S.I.P. theory changes how we think competitive auctions after your side makes a take-out double. The T/O doubler is usually short in the opponents suit but can be quite variable in HCP strength. D.S.I.P. doubles apply after T/O doubles from both sides but the bidding must indicate that the opponents own their trump suit. If the auction dictates that the double is not a trump stack double , it is a card showing D.S.I.P. double. The 2nd double by the T/O doubler is D.S.I.P. just showing a maximum measured in quick tricks.

 

Confusion could arise between forcing pass theory and D.S.I.P. double theory. If we are vul , contract for game & they interfere not vul  it is our hand so forcing pass theory applies. If we contract for game in all other vulnerability scenarios  after a T/O double, D.S.I.P. doubles apply because we do not necessarily own the hand. This is very important as pseudo sacrifices & bad competitive situations are the norm for these auctions.

 

          1♠-Dbl-2♠-4♥  4♠-p-p-p            is a possible auction in all vulnerabilities except us being vul and they are not . The pass is forcing in that one vulnerability.

 

 

          1♠-Dbl-2♠-4♥  4♠-p-p-Dbl      They are vul or equal   This double says I want to bid 5♥ but I have defense so I pass the decision to you . You have ♠Kx ♥Q10xx  ♦AKxx ♣J10x  for your  take out double so you figure them playing at the 4 level doubled is a good spot . If your side has just invited to game , D.S.I.P. doubles apply in all vulnerabilities rather than  forcing passes . There are no forcing pass situations. If either you or partner have Q bid ,  forcing passes are turned on  so D.S.I.P. theory does not apply with any vulnerability.

 

          !♥-Dbl-2♥-3♥  4♥-P-P- ?            Partner’s pass is forcing saying his preference is to go offense . A double says he is minimum , pass and pull a slam try etc ..

 

             

          These type of D.S.I.P. auctions prevent pseudo sacrifices when either partner has duplication of value in the opponents suit. The double passes the decision to partner who is in  a better position to  “do something intelligent”  . Penalty doubles do not exist until we reach the 5 level  unless we own the hand due to vulnerability or other forcing pass considerations. Even if you have a good hand & can not Q bid , partner does not know we own the auction. Therefore  D.S.I.P. theory applies or is assumed instead of forcing pass theory in those situations.

 

Ex  1♠-Dbl-3♠-4♥  4♠-p-p-?             ♠xxx ♥A10xxx ♦AKx ♣Qx      

 

 You bid this 4♥ contract  to make but partner does not know that . So you double saying you want to bid 5♥ but I have defense. Partners pass already says he prefers to defend so the double will be passed 99 % of the time. What do you bid if partner doubles saying he wants to bid 5♥ ? His double must have a stiff or void in spades so a 6♥ bid by you is not unreasonable. Remember partner would pass with a dog or bid 5♥ directly with the appropriate hand.

 

          ♠xx ♥KJ109 ♦Axxx ♣xxx                1♥-Dbl-4♥-?                  You are forced to pass . Partner with ♠AKxx ♥void ♦xxxx ♣AKxxx re-opens with a double and they get badly punished. You only lose in this one situation. Partner with his void in hearts is too weak to double and passes. You take your plus -  50 at a time . You cannot make anything anyway so  not a significant loss. Your direct double would be D.S.I.P. so  partner invariably will bid 4♠ .

           

          What are 2nd doubles in Bridge after making an initial takeout double ?  Why make a takeout double twice ?  The 2Nd double should be D.S.I.P.  showing lots of HCP’s but no clear cut action . It does not mean a trump stack as the frequency does not justify that bid. Maurice had an auction recently where the 2nd double assisted him in bidding a club slam . 2♠-X-2NT-X   4♠-X-P-4NT P-5♣-P-6♣ . The 2nd double was D.S.I.P. showing extras so he used this information for the vul slam.  A Q bid or jumping in a suit shows other types of strong hands. What are doubles by responder of the takeout doubler if they are in a suit promised by the T/O doubler ? These are checkback doubles .

 

          D.S.I.P. doubles at low levels by responder of the take out doubler asks partners permission to compete again if they are in a suit that a T/O doubler might hold. If responder wants to bid again and he has defense he doubles to “ask permission”  . You hold ♠10x ♥Kxxxx ♦Ax ♣109xx  and the auction goes 1♦-x-1♠-2♥  2♠-P-P-?  . You feel it’s a good idea to bid 3♥ but you have 1 ½  defensive tricks so you double first. Partner has a defensive hand with AJ9x of spades and only 3 hearts so he passes . Just +800 for your side and yes you make 3♥ !!  D.S.I.P. doubles work well with the equal level conversion philosophy. The T/O doubler might not even hold your suit so double if you want to bid again to check back.  Do not rescue opponents who might be in a bad spot by bidding again . Check back with partner by making a D.S.I.P. double !!

 

          If they are bidding their suit & responder doubles after a T/O double , it is still D.S.I.P..  1♦-X-2♦-2♠ P-P-3♦-X   says I  am maximum for my bid measured in quick tricks.