[ArtK78]

The question is: If this is a takeout double, what kind of hand would it be that would not have made a negative double over 2♣?

If the answer is "It does not exist," then it is a penalty double.

If, in a particular partnership, a negative double has to meet some unusual set of criteria, and there are hands which are not penalty doubles that are not able to make a negative double over 2♣, then you can make a case for the double of 3♣ as takeout.

But, for the vast majority of players, the only hand that can't make a negative double of 2♣ and wants to act over 3♣ is a penalty double.

[Phil]

I took it as penalty. My partner thinks its takeout.

As I remember I held a 3352 which made me think that perhaps it wasn't penalty, but my LHO is a notorious operator and I thought clubs could be 2=4=4=3 around the table, and its not like I had a great rebid anyway. Partner was a 5422 6 count. I still haven't heard a clear reason why a negative double wasn't made on this prior round. Maybe we have different standards for a 2 level negative double.

We nipped 3♣ a trick. My LHO was more critical of my partner's double than I was.

[Free]

kgr, on 2011-September-14, 07:13, said:

Takeout.
5/4=3=1 and around 6 HCP
(We play that all low-level DBL's are takeout if opps have a fit)

What level do you consider high-level?

[kgr]

Free, on 2011-September-15, 04:04, said:

What level do you consider high-level?

7♠
Our rule is that all DBLs are takeout unless specified otherwise.
f.i: 1M-(p)-2M-(2X/3X): DBL is penalty

[gwnn]

kgr don't you play trap passes? what would a trap pass do here? do you feel how much a trap pass would like to x?

[kgr]

gwnn, on 2011-September-15, 04:52, said:

kgr don't you play trap passes? what would a trap pass do here? do you feel how much a trap pass would like to x?

Yes, but it is unlikely after opps showed a ♣-fit and partner passed.

[gwnn]

OK it's your choice, but I would disagree with that assessment. Partner's pass is absolutely normal, he should only double if he has a good
hand with extras, 15 with a singleton at the very least, but more usually 16. Also if you look at the auction, 3rd hand having 0-5 hcp in this auction is also unlikely. I think 5-4 in the majors and 6 is an easy double, btw.

[Flameous]

Penalty.

For those advocating T/O with some weak 55 shape, why wouldn't you now just bid 3H? It can't be anything else.

[gnasher]

Flameous, on 2011-September-16, 07:20, said:

For those advocating T/O with some weak 55 shape, why wouldn't you now just bid 3H? It can't be anything else.

Why can't it be a weak one-suiter, like xxx Q109xxxx xx x ?

[han]

Definitely penalty.

I love Csaba's posts, small words do matter!