They never run
Over the years it is natural to adopt a few pet theories. One of mine is 'they never run'. This is a reflection on the situations where you appear to have a penalty double staring you in the face yet it seems as if you have so much, the opponents must have a better spot. Consequently you talk yourself out of doubling and collect safe hundreds (or fifties). Most often this behaviour is self reinforcing; it is true that they have a better contract and you can point this out to your doubting partner. The trouble is that there can be never be any proof that the opponents would have discovered it. A recent hand for my notebook;
| Game All, Dealer East | ♠ 5 | |||
| ♥ J1073 | ||||
| ♦ J2 | ||||
| ♣ K109832 | ||||
| ♠ AJ1086 | ♠ Q2 | |||
| ♥ AK9864 | ♥ 2 | |||
| ♦ 87 | ♦ KQ96543 | |||
| ♣ --- | ♣ 764 | |||
| ♠ K9743 | ||||
| ♥ Q5 | ||||
| ♦ A10 | ||||
| ♣ AQJ5 | ||||
| West | North | East | South | |
| 3♦ | 3♠ | |||
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
West refrained and collected +400 for his (non)trouble. He was quite pleased at this. As he explained, North-South had an excellent club fit and could even fend off serious adversity in three no-trump. No doubt he would be repeating this for the benefit of his team-mates - in the other room the auction started the same except West doubled what was in front of him. No-one had any more to say and the debacle ensued, this time with raised stakes. The trick score was the same but not so the bottom line, East-West had +1100 for their side.
One hand hardly proves a thing. Yes, they do run from time to time. Sometimes it's even to a better spot – as opposed to an equally bad one or even worse. But often partner can double the denomination you can't, occasionally you can infer a fit the fourth suit or further bidding helps in the subsequent defence. Many good things can happen.
It's easy to try another spot at the one or two level, but the higher they are, the less likely they are to run. Sometimes over very high openings, such as four hearts, there is no way to bid two-suiters so players take a natural stab at the cheapest game. Four spades is relatively easy to find over four hearts with a 5-6, so if you hold six trumps in defence don't be surprised if they move. But that's the end of the warnings; in every other case, just double them – you'll be surprised how often in pays off.
Published Saturday 23.Jun.2001