Thinking about this logically, the double promises support for all of the unbid suits. Therefore my  rule was,  from the bridge encyclopaedia, when playing responsive doubles the only true responsive double would be when the opponent's would simply raise the opener's suit. It is a situation that I will often clarify with my partner while reviewing CC. I think the new treatment seems to have abandoned this method as there are too many players who do not appreciate the joy of playing doubled contracts, "win or lose". I would have left it in. However it is also suggested that many players would only choose to punish a major suit overcall. Not illogical. Gosh bridge can be fun sometmes.

And YIKES, again, Edward! This ACBL tourney was not played at Swan!

 

 

I think I may have found the area of confusion for Ginny's director.  Here is info from ACBL concerning these doubles:

 

PART IV: DOUBLES, REDOUBLES AND PASSES

Except for those doubles with highly unusual or unexpected meanings, doubles do not require an Alert.

1-P-4 (splinter bid)-Dbl
If this double asks for the lead of any suit other than clubs, an Alert is required.

1-Dbl or 1-P-1-Dbl
If either double is penalty or lead directing only, an Alert is required.

3-Dbl or 3-P-P-Dbl
If either double is penalty, an Alert is required

In the 2nd example is her auction.  You will see that is says that if the bid is penalty ONLY, then the bid is alertable.   Ginny's bid was takeout, which is the standard meaning, so it was not alertable.   This is similar to 1c-2c you  alert when 2c means clubs!


 

1D X 2C X is not a responsive dbl. A responsive dbl is when responder raises opener's suit. Since responder did not raise opener's suit, this is a penalty dbl.

 

Looking at advancer's hand shows that advancer meant this dbl as takeout, similar to a responsive dbl. Since the partnership has no agreement about this dbl, how can it be alertable? Advancer is hoping that takeout dbler will take it as showing both majors.

 

Although you are lite, maybe you should have bid 2D showing 10+ with both majors or GF.

I learned that these both were responsive doubles:

 

1C  1anything  2C  X

 

1C   X   2C   X

 

in the first case i would be showing the two unbid suits.  In the second case, I would be showing both majors, since if I only had one of the majors i would freely bid it.

amend my last post to read:

 

One of my partnerships plays responsive doubles and this is how we learned to play them....

 

Here is a good site that discusses responsive doubles and the possibilities:

 

http://www.sfvbridgeacademy.com/Web%20Conventions/Responsive%20Doubles.htm 

I play them the same way as nbraun   except in the 1c  x  2c   x   it's not "both majors"  it's "you pick pard" 

in the 1x Dbl 2x Dbl responsive dbl situation, it shows either both minors if a major was bid or both majors if a minor was bid.

 

Let me explain. When the bidding goes 1x Dbl 2x ? if you have one major, you should bid it. Ignore any other suits unless you have the strength and chance to bid a 2nd time. So the only situation where you want the takeout dbler to "Pick 'em" is when you either have both majors or no major. Therefore, the responsive dbl of a minor shows both majors because if you had a major and minor, you would bid your major and the responsive dbl of a major shows both minors because if you had a major and a minor, you would bid your major.

 

Is that simple and obvious? Is it understandable? Do you need examples?

I understand, but don't agree.  Say you are 4243   and it went   1c  dbl 2c  If I have a very good hand I don't want to just bid 2S (or 3S).  I want to hear what pard says.

 

This is all premised on the fact that my hand is very good.  In other words "you pick pard" means my hand is so good I think I should become captain. 

 

With worse hands I agree with prior  (worse means a hand that plans on passing pards non jump response.

 

I suppose bidding 3c could fit in here somewhere too  1c  dbl  2c  3c  not sure what that should mean but probably some sort of nt try.

So takeout dbler bids 2H... now what do you bid with your 4342? or 4243 or whatever. And if takeout dbler is 3442, do you think takeout dbler will bid 2D to find the 4-4 diam fit?

 

Think about it Joe. Your example makes no sense. 

I understand and  agree completely you make the bids as you suggest when weak.

 

Your hand is fully strong enough to handle any "bad answers from pard.  Ypi might get lucky and get a diamond or spd response

 

1c   dbl    2c    2bl

2h     p    2S

 

This would show a good jand with 4S and less than 4H

 

I see know reason why:

 

I would be playing that the double in that sequence was for penalty:

 

1D X 2C X