After a 4♥ opening bid, is that a Takeout or a Penalty Double? - with Marla Lawson

[@aimeemorris9997]

And E/W is vulnerable!

[@MaryGerry-e9r]

Easier to defend and set the 4h contract. E has a sure H trick with 5 Hearts and another possible one with A of S. Assuming a take out double W has opening points and is likely to have several plus winning tricks. E can only count on 3 sure cards in unbid suits so has to guess length of S suit at the level of 4.

[@gatheringwatersradiomeritb3182]

Apply the Rule of 9 and it implies it would be OK to leave the double in.

[@keep_it_tidy56]

Leaving the double in should be perfectly OK here. E/W being vulnerable makes it risky, but 4S by E/W is by no means a lay-down. We usually play high level doubles as optional, there’s no guaranteed correct action. If E/W were not vulnerable I’d have no hesitation in converting the double to penalty.

[@archie6945]

After N bids 4H and W is holding five of that suit, why think it's a penalty double?

[@MrWrite1]

PASSED? You have 5 hearts. He isn't doubling for penalty.