[CSGibson]

My partner and I are playing an 11-14 NT in first & 2nd seat, NV. For the most part its working out well, but we run into trouble in the auction 1N-(P)-P-(2X)-P-(P)-X. We don't have good agreements about whether that is take-out, cooperative, or penalty, or even what would theoretically be best. We are in agreement that 1N (2x) X is negative, and that 1N-(P)-P-(2X)-X is take-out oriented (though we often avoid that auction).

What do other people do in this situation? Any system of agreements/style that works best for you?

[Gerben42]

I often play weak NT and we play T/O doubles all-the-way. This works fine, you are fighting for the part score.

Auctions like 1NT (2♥) Pass (Pass) Double / 1NT (Pass) Pass (2♥) Double are a bit hot, but when you play weak NT you live and die by the sword.

When the auction goes 1NT and opps bid, you are ahead of the game. Responder can judge well if he can risk a double, let's use it.

[nigel_k]

I really prefer takeout doubles and the 1NT opener should not be afraid to double with the right shape. You usually want to compete and it's harder to find the right spot if the hand with shortage in opponents suit doesn't double.

[mfa1010]

I agree.

[whereagles]

Take out dbls are mandatory, yes. Otherwise you're permanently guessing.

[JLOGIC]

I was playing against zia once and he bid over our weak NT and we couldn't rip it because it was takeout, and he said it was hopeless to play takeout Xs after a weak NT because it's so standard to pass with like 11 and then they make a stupid balance and you rip it, or they make a stupid overcall...

Haha anyways, I play takeout Xs here.

[P_Marlowe]

X is for T/O.

Obviously it should show some live, say short below inv. strength, so that the
bid promises at least half of the deck.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[whereagles]

JLOGIC, on 2011-January-08, 12:33, said:

I was playing against zia once and he bid over our weak NT and we couldn't rip it because it was takeout, and he said it was hopeless to play takeout Xs after a weak NT because it's so standard to pass with like 11 and then they make a stupid balance and you rip it, or they make a stupid overcall...

Haha anyways, I play takeout Xs here.

He was just having fun. Story aside, I think take out works fine, but it's not just responder who has to be aggressive when opps butt-in. Opener must do his share as well, i.e. dbl for take out whenever he's short, regardless of what responder can have.

[Gerben42]

Nice story Justin, I guess to play penalty doubles here you need to have a flawless table feeling like Zia does. I suggest us mortals stick with T/O.

Learning when to double for penalty is a good rubber skill, one that I lack because I've never played in a real rubber game with strangers in a no-conventions setting (there simply aren't any).

[Free]

I'd also advise to play takeout doubles. In lots of situations you are pretty poorly placed after the 1NT opening because there's no suit known. Whenever you have a 4432 with the right doubleton you're supposed to Dbl imo, this works most of the time for me.

[mtvesuvius]

I like the
1N - P - P - 2X
P - P - X

As a value-showing double, usually a maximum pass with at least 2 cards in their suit... It's worked really well for me, and with 4♠, you can just bid 2♠ anyway. I think a corollary to this is that the direct X is penalty, since most of the time that responder has anything worth competing on, he'll reopen with a X or another bid.