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jdeegan, on 2014-December-12, 01:01, said:
Addendum to my initial posting.
If you do choose to play a system that allows a negative double w/o 4♠, it is incumbent to be selective. The following is an actual hand from this afternoon. Your partner is one of the best bridge players in the history of the game. You hold:
This is not a negative double because the ♥ ruff is in the wrong hand with an almost certain 4-3 fit. Also, you have enough strength to make the correct bid of 2♣.
The South player did make a negative double. LHO bid 3♥. Partner bid 3♠ (a slight stretch). RHO passed. South had extras, so he bid 4♠. Down one despite a generally favorable lie of the cards, and a good guess of the trump queen by the best dummy player alive.
If you do choose to play a system that allows a negative double w/o 4♠, it is incumbent to be selective. The following is an actual hand from this afternoon. Your partner is one of the best bridge players in the history of the game. You hold:
This is not a negative double because the ♥ ruff is in the wrong hand with an almost certain 4-3 fit. Also, you have enough strength to make the correct bid of 2♣.
The South player did make a negative double. LHO bid 3♥. Partner bid 3♠ (a slight stretch). RHO passed. South had extras, so he bid 4♠. Down one despite a generally favorable lie of the cards, and a good guess of the trump queen by the best dummy player alive.
That hand doesn't present a problem. This hand does.
Now your choices are 1NT, 2♦ or pass. All are flawed.
What about this hand? 1NT?
East will hold ♥ KJTxx or ♥ AJTxx.
If North has ♥ Axx or ♥ Kxx, you want East on opening lead.
It would be nice if South were allowed to double showing 'cards'.