[mcphee]

4N and 4S I just do not really see this as a problem, partner holds a hand that is strong and our hand is offensive. I expect to be able to make on both hands, I do not consider this to me a close choice at all.

[rhm]

hanp, on Oct 4 2010, 06:56 AM, said:

rhm, on Oct 2 2010, 09:15 AM, said:

And of course it is absolutely clear that partner will have 18 HCP for his second double in the balancing position.

Not at all, partner can be quite a bit lighter, especially with (very) short hearts.

Even when the bidding starts this way, opponents are very unlikely to have 12 cards in hearts between them.
So if partner also has a singleton heart and is lighter, where are your 11 tricks?
I do not see what is so desirable to have a singleton in both hands in the same suit. This reduces your trick potential on offense significantly.
Even if partner has a void in hearts, clearly against the odds, you have just one ruff.
The remaining 10 tricks will have to come from high cards. Not very likely if partner is quite a bit lighter than 18 HCP.

Rainer Herrmann

[655321]

If partner is lighter in HCP with a singleton or void heart, then:

• Opponents are quite likely to make 4♥X,
  
• Opponents are relatively likely to take the push to 5♥.

Passing 4♥X seems to put all your eggs in the 'partner is strong and balanced (and we don't make anything)' basket, and strikes me as being fairly naive, regardless of OP's guess that some tables in the English Premier League may have done this.

[jdeegan]

Geez! Points, schmoints! Doesn't anybody make up example hands anymore? In order to double, partner has to have a hand that will do two things:
1. Offer 4♠ as a good spot opposite four to the jack and jack sh*t
2. Defeat 4♥ opposite jack sh*t w/o four spades or a long suit

AKxx
xx
KQ10
AK10x

This is a minimum. Playing opposite hand 1, you might go -100 vs. +100, no biggie
Any finesses are 2 or 3 to one to succeed thru the opening bidder.

This is, imho, not a problem hand. Bidding may lose, but on a minority of hands.