IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

This hand demonstrates that sometimes you just have to pass and take your plus score.  You may want to double the opponents, but you have to remember your partner is across the table.

Scoring:  Matchpoints  (Pairs)

Hand #43
Dlr   E
Vul E/W
S 10653
H 1076
D 1043
C 854
S AK
H KQ85
D AK8
C J1072
    
S 2
H J932
D QJ7652
C 63

S QJ9874
H A4
D 9
C AKQ9
West North
 East
 South


Pass
 1S
    DBL
     3S*    Pass     4S
    DBL
    Pass
     5D    DBL
All Pass


*Preemptive

BIDDING:  Holding a powerful hand, West made a takeout double of South's opening bid.  Taking advantage of the favorable vulnerability, North made a weak jump raise.  South bid game hoping to make it if North held a spade honor plus he suspected E/W might have a game.  West couldn't stand it and doubled again hoping to defend.  However, East correctly read this bid as another takeout double and bid her diamond suit.  South doubled expecting to win three top tricks.

PLAY:  South quickly cashed two clubs and a heart to defeat the contract.  In an auction like this, West must realize his second double is also for takeout.  It would be difficult to pass and defend but it was his last chance for a plus score.  West must recognize that the ace/king of the opponents' spade suit would be better used in defense.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.