Jinksy, on 2016-July-21, 15:21, said:
I feel like a fourth spade would be a slight negative for west's double. Assuming it's basically just showing values and no fit, on shapes like 4423, mightn't he prefer an initial 4♦? The double is presumably going to get passed fairly frequently.
I disagree that dbl will frequently be passed when they bid and jump raise and none of us used the double for penalty purpose. Opponents also see the colors when they make that bid and raise. Unless of course you are playing it as a penalty double.
Regarding the 4
♦ cue, if you do it with 4-4 majors and 7-9 hcp and another day with 13 hcp an another day 15 hcp, you will end up playing very bad games when it is made with 7-9 hcp. On other days partner will never know when to go slam or when your side has the majority of strength if the auction gets a little more competitive and will end up making bad decisions.
This is exactly why I chose 3
♠ on another similar topic when held 5-5 majors and 3 hcp, even when I guessed the original hand due to being asked in forums. If we bid 4
♦ with 5-5 and 3 hcp, another day 4-4 with 8 hcp, another day 4-4 with 14 hcp, each and every single time pd having exactly the same space to respond, we have a very big issue. This is the kind of behavior that leads to A LOT of random outcome.
Those who bid 4
♦ on the other topic found a 5-5 fit, a VERY decent 15 hcp and ended up making 4
♥ while 3
♠ ers played there. I am more than happy to pay the price for 3
♠ bid and move on. Others will, imo, have much more issues and prices to pay in many other hands.