Monday, May 24, 2004 9:11 PM
Hand
Evaluation – Doubles ( Major vrs Major )
PITBULLS:
Splinter
theory is based on finding duplication of value .
When partner makes a splinter , you hold xxx in that
suit you know the opponents 10 HCP’s in that suit are wasted on defense. This hand fits well for offense. D.S.I.P. competitive double theory
works on the same principle
as splinter theory. Throwing out trump stack
doubles in competition means the D.S.I.P. double resembles a
splinter in the opponents suit.
The D.S.I.P. doubles does not necessarily mean a singleton
in the opponents suit but it does mean there are no wasted values in the opponents suit ( i.e.
no duplication of value ) . The main reason for this treatment is that Bridge
is played in a clockwise direction. Do not bid in
front of partner when you have a good defensive hand. Partner may have a trump
stack in their suit so you have rescued them ! Without
a D.S.I.P. double ,
you have to make a guess that
your
singleton in their suit represents
no duplication of value for your side. If you guess right on your single handed decision ,
you make your contract. When you guess wrong , a
terribly expensive pseudo sacrifice
is the result.
This understanding
works best in the standard battlefield of major vrs
major right up to & including the game level.
1♥-1♠-2♥-2♠
4♥-? ♠AKxxx ♥x ♦Axxx ♣J10x With all 10 HCP’s in
the opponents hand opposite your stiff ♥ , partners values are
pulling full weight right ?
Wrong partners hand is ♠xxxx ♥KQ10 ♦xxx ♣Qx so you go for 300 in 4♠x . They go for 500
in 4♥ doubled for a tremendous swing.
D.S.I.P. theory also
works like forcing pass theory to
show length in the opponent’s suits.
1♠-2♥-2♠-4♥
4♠-P-P-? Partner has ♠xx ♥AKxxxx ♦AKx ♣xx
for his
pass as with his defense he is willing to defend 4♠ . You have ♠xx ♥QJ10x ♦xx ♣AJ10xx so warned by
partners non double you decide to pass .
You beat 4♠ one trick for 100
but it’s better than 5♥ doubled for –200.
Overcalls
are so variable in HCP defensive strength
that you need to clarify your power
later in the auction.
1♥-1♠-2♥-2♠
4♥-? ♠AKxxx ♥xx ♦Axx ♣Axx with this hand you double
, saying you want to bid 4♠ based on sheer
power. Over to partner , to make the final decision.
Partner holds ♠Qxx ♥x ♦xxxx ♣KQxxx , 4♠ is bid & makes. You hold ♠Qxx
♥AKx ♦xxx ♣xxxx , you pass & catch
them speeding. They go 3 down doubled
in their contract & you cannot make game !!
Such is the power of duplication of value
in guiding your competitive
decisions
Of course , the other hand can get involved in the D.S.I.P.
double.
1♥-1♠-2♥-2♠
4♥-P-P-? ♠QJx
♥x ♦Axxxx ♣J10xx You think bidding 4♠
might be a
good idea based on your stiff heart.
So you double saying let’s bid 4♠ partner . Partner has ♠AKxxx ♥KQ10 ♦xx ♣Qxx , says no thanks , so
you pick up +500 with no
game your way. If partner has ♠AKxxxx ♥xxx ♦Kxx ♣x so he pulls the double & makes 4♠ . If 4♠ does not make, since the D.S.I.P.
double shows no
duplication of value , 4♥ usually makes the other direction. Both partners had input into the final
decision which is another reason why D.S.I.P. doubles were invented. D.S.I.P. theory does not allow the opponents to be rescued when they are too high & we have duplication of value in their suit.
Say
you had this
hand ♠AKJxxx ♥AQJ ♦xxx ♣x
1♥-1♠-2♥-2♠
4♥-? Just bid 4♠ if you feel that the
contract should make . Do not make a D.S.I.P. double
as that shows nothing in the opponents trump suit. Change your hand slightly ♠AKxxx ♥AQJ ♦xxx ♣xx , you would pass &
hope partner wants to play 4♠ by doubling. Partner
can only pass or double so it
looks like a plus your way . You do not need to worry
that partner will make a single handed
4♠ bid & ruin the
party.
When
partner has already shown shortness
in their suit via a T/O double or a splinter , partner’s D.S.I.P.
competitive double does not shortness ,of course . Partner just wants to
compete again & at higher levels the double tends to be co-operative
penalty.
The
splinter bid to show no duplication of value is one of the most successful bids in Bridge.
D.S.I.P. doubles work the same way . D.S.I.P. doubles pin point the lack of
duplication of value in the opponent’s
suit in most competitive auctions. The pass in D.S.I.P. theory can warn of
length in the opponents suit and the D.S.I.P. doubles
generally show the upper range of HCP’s in variable HCP’s auctions. The
D.S.I.P. double allows
both partners in on competitive decisions same as in forcing pass theory when
you own the auction . The necessity
to double when either partner wants to bid again with defense is
a safeguard ( taking out insurance
) against duplication of value in the
opponents suit in competitive auctions. Bad bidding opponents do not get rescued from
your side bidding again. All this
extra information is
available & transferred to partner
just by removing the single handed trump stack doubles from your system in competitive auctions !! About time !