Question: Should this bidding by N/S provoke a penalty double from E/W? If so, what determines a penalty double?
Vic:
1st Question:
It depends. If NS were
experienced players, I would be very hesitant to DBL this auction. If NS were
inexperienced players on the other hand, I might be eager to
DBL.
Standard agreement is that a
Strong 2C opening bid promises 22+ HCPs. By that standard, North has flagrantly
overbid their hand. North should open the auction 1S.
The standard for a small slam
in NT is a combined total of 33 HCPs. That means South was absolutely justified jumping
to 6NT. Given, however, that North flagrantly overbid their hand, 6NT deserves
to go down two.
2nd Question:
Whether a DBL is meant for
takeout or penalty is normally determined by when during the auction the DBL is
made. Doubles made early in the auction are typically for takeout. Doubles made
towards the end of the auction are typically for penalty. There are also
conventional agreements that can be used at various points of the auction,
where DBL means something different than either takeout or penalty.
In the auction above I would
assume a DBL of 6NT by either East or West would be intended for penalty. A
penalty DBL of 6NT (VUL - down 2) would score +500 for EW. Not DBLed
would score +200 for EW.
Note: NS deserve to make a
small slam in clubs. They can also make game in either Hearts or Spades, even
though they have only 7 Spades (one honor + 6 small spot cards) & 6 Hearts.
It is hard to imagine any humans bidding game in spades or hearts. Bidding a
small slam in clubs, however, is not at all inconceivable.
Ain't bridge a great
game?
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