Friday, February 13, 2004 4:31 AM

Pulling Doubles of 4♥/4♠

PITBULLS:

The Bartons have an understanding about pulling high level doubles that I like. If partner doubles 4♥ or 4♠ with any bidding sequence either directly for takeout or penalty , belately , balancing or whatever then Lebensohl comes into effect. It makes perfect sense. If you have a flat weak hand you pass and leave the double in hoping to beat it. If you have a flat defensive good hand you leave the double in and collect your telephone # . Only one simple rule – 4NT demands a relay to 5♣ and all bids are now weak. There are only three types of hands that you would pull the double 1) you have a weak distributional freak that that might make your way or “taking out insurance” in case they make it. 2) you have a good distributional hand that you feel will make and the penalty will not offset your game and 3) you wish to make a slam try.

I had a hand tonight with Maurice that fits the system . xx Qxx xx QJ1098x . Everyone vul and Maurice opened 1♦ and RHO overcalls 1♠ . I pass and LHO bids 4♠ which Maurice doubles. Around to you so now what ? You are not going to get rich in 4♠ doubled , in fact they might make it. Why not take out some insurance and pull the double ? You do not want to convey to partner that you are bidding this to make or suggesting slam so you bid 4NT . Partner bids 5♣ & gets doubled and goes one down . –790 for 4♠ doubled making was the popular result.

Maurice’s hand x A9xx AQJ10x AKx and if the ♦ King was on side he would have been +750 !! O.K. modify my hand slightly and give me the ♦ king. xx Qxx Kx QJ1098x . The auction would have gone the same way as I have no bid over a ♠ overcall and this time I would pull the double to 5♣ suggesting that I can make game. Maurice could bid 6♣ and we would be +1370 .

It does not matter how the auctions progress ( overcalls , takeout doubles , opening pre-empts ), the rules for pulling the double remain the same . You hold xx Q10xxxxx xx xx and partner opens 1♦ and the spade overcall again . LHO bids 2♠ and partner doubles and RHO bids 4♠ . Pass around to partner who doubles again. You bid 4NT , partner bids 5♣ ( he does not have to with a solid ♦ suit ) and you bid 5♥ . Partner is x Axx AKxxx Axxx and you have a chance at your contract. With the same auction you could have had xx AQ10xxx xx xxx and you would pull the double to 5♥ suggesting that you can make game on the auction.

Maurice opened 4♥ tonight and around to Steve Bates in the balancing spot. Steve doubled with his flat 22 HCP hand and Scott pulled the double to 5♣ . Now what ? Playing Lebensohl after 4♥/♠ the decision is easy. If Scott wanted to run he would bid 4NT as a relay to 5♣. The 5♣ bid directly shows values and a 6NT contract makes. They did not play Lebensohl , so Steve passed missing their slam.

The reverse should also be true . If responder doubles the 4 of a major and opener wants to pull. Pulling the double is not a sign of weakness . If you opened on a distributional dog, pull to 4NT and convert partners 5♣ bid. Pulling the double directly is encouraging and a mild slam try. Remember Lebensohl applies in all situations when you are pulling doubles at a high level – no exceptions.