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STRONG DOUBLES

For those new to the bridge table.

The Bidding

When we make a take-out double of an opponent’s opening bid, we need either an opening hand of our own (12+ high card points) with tolerance for every other suit apart from the suit opened or a very strong hand with a long suit of one’s own.(17+ hcp.) That second hand- type was used by South below after East had opened 2, showing a six-card diamond suit with 6-10 high card points.

South had a very strong hand:

 AKQ2

 AK8542

 K2

 3

So, South doubled the 2 opening. West passed and North bid, as they were instructed to do. Had North bid either hearts or spades, South would have raised to game in that major but North bid 3.

South was too strong to pass that bid and also had no liking for clubs. So, South bid 3 showing a very strong hand (17+ high card points) and at least five hearts.  North bid 3NT. South felt the board should be played in their long suit and so bid 4 ending the auction.

                      West          North        East     South

                                                         2          x 
                      Pass            3        Pass       3 
                      Pass            3NT       Pass       4 
                      Pass            Pass     Pass

                   

Bidding Note. Remember the 2 hand types of a take -out double stated above. It is also interesting to note that by doubling and then bidding 3, you were showing a very strong hand. Your partner, who could have been much weaker, recognised that by bidding 3NT.

 North bid 3NT rather than rebid their own club suit (see the North hand below) as they had a hold in diamonds, the opponent’s suit. North also recognised South had a strong hand (17+ hcp) and that therefore their partnership had enough hcp to be in game. That is why North did not bid clubs again, even with a 6 card suit. Even though North had poor cards in spades,3NT was the right bid. South ought to have some honours in that suit being a strong hand.

Let’s leave you now with the situation that East found themselves in at trick 1. This is what East saw as their partner led 7.

 

 

The questions for you to answer are:

Which card as East do you play at trick 1 and why? (Declarer called for 3 from dummy).

If you do play A, South plays 2. What do you play at trick 2?

We will be back with the answers on Sunday.

Richard Solomon

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