Panel Votes Call Points 8 Pass 100 1 3 30

Lawrence: Pass. What is the problem here? Poor East had to bid a two-card suit with a 5-1-5-2 hand, and is about to pay the price for West's bad timing.

Correct.

Herbst: Pass. Partner's double is for penalty (or to suggest penalty), and I have no reason to pull it out. Partner could have shown a good hand with different bids (like 3).

Bird: Pass. I am usually ultra-cautious in such situations. Since I have no good bid to make anyway, and no obvious game beckons, I will try my luck in defence.

Wirgren: Pass. With misgivings, but I see no alternative.

Cheek: Pass. Isn't this double penalty in nature? I'm pretty sure he doesn't have one, but maybe he's got more than one club and leads one.

Well, if it is in the optional vein instead, defending does feel right.

Smith: Pass. What else is there? I'm pretty sure he doesn't have four trumps, but two or three if he leads is pretty good.

Wildavsky: Pass. WTP? Even if partner's double shows cards and a lack of direction, rather than clubs; the direction I choose is defense.

Is there anything other than pass? I guess it all depends on how one interprets the double. Most of the panel feel it is optional, or even penalty. We have one lone wolf ....

Aviram: 3. I play this double as take-out.

I hope partner is on the same wavelength.