[dickiegera]

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What do each of these bids by EAST mean?

#1 Double. Is this a maximal inviting a 4♠ bid by partner?
#2 3♥. What might this mean?
#3 3♠ Just competing?

Thank you

[antonylee]

If maximal doubles were on then X would be penalty and 3♥ a general game try, but I find it hard to believe I have a penalty X of 3♦ after my T/O X so I'd play X as GT, 3♥ as natural strong NF (if in a misfit...) and 3♠ as competitive (that one doesn't change). If I have a super-strong NT then I give up on the penalty and bid 3N.

[quiddity]

This is different from the typical maximal double auction in that you don't have a guaranteed 8-card fit. I would guess that X shows fewer than 4 spades and enough extras to try for game. 3♥ would show the "too strong for a 1♥ overcall hand"; I think this should be forcing if 2♠ promised some values. 3♠ would be competitive.

[aguahombre]

How about double behind the opener who bid again opposite a passing partner being a "too strong to overcall" NT hand?

[han]

Double is generally played as a good hand without 4-card spade fit. Something like Kxx AQxx xx AQxx would be a typical hand.

3H is strong with hearts.

3S is competitive.

[gszes]

x 3 card support extra values

3s invitational (unsure what competitive means by others) p is around
the 8-10 range for 2s bid so 3s is asking if they are at or close to 10.
If we are too weak to invite we can pass and leave further competing
up to partner.

3h natural too strong for overcall virtually game forcing

[rmnka447]

gszes, on 2012-June-13, 10:48, said:

x 3 card support extra values

3s invitational (unsure what competitive means by others) p is around
the 8-10 range for 2s bid so 3s is asking if they are at or close to 10.
If we are too weak to invite we can pass and leave further competing
up to partner.

3h natural too strong for overcall virtually game forcing

I totally agree with this analysis.

Think about the action that advancer took and what wasn't done.

Advancer didn't cue bid 2 ♦ guaranteeing something like an opening hand. But advancer did bid 2 ♠ showing probably 8+ points. It is possible that advancer has made that call on a decent 4 card ♠ suit. Advancer might also have bid 2 ♠ holding 4-4 in the majors in order to facilitate showing both majors.

So it's important for doubler to be able to identify the value of his/her hand AND the extent of the spade support held. Doubler shows extras by making a free bid or call directly after opener's rebid. Since Doubler guarantees at least 3 cards in each unbid suit and can't possibly hold a penalty double hand -- double must be extras with 3 card ♠ support. 3 ♠ then shows extras and 4 card ♠ support.

Advancer then has some idea how to proceed if opener makes a call.

With the equivalent of a minimum opener, doubler can pass over 3 ♦ and let advancer decide what to do. If advancer has 5+ ♠, he/she can compete to 3 ♠. If advancer has only a 4 card ♠ suit and maximum values, he/she can double or and bid a new suit.