IMPROVE YOUR PLAY

With Larry Matheny

 

As odd as it may seem, doubling a low level contract is often more lucrative than punishing those in the higher stratosphere.

 

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)

#14-09

Dlr

S

Vul

E/W

S

1098

H

4

D

632

C

KQJ1087

S

 AK42

H

 53

D

 KQ109

C

 632

/images/pad.bmp

S

 J73

H

 KQJ109

D

 J7

C

 954

 

S

Q65

H

A8762

D

A854

C 

A

 

 

  West

 North

East

South

 -      

-

 -

 1H

   DBL

 Pass

 Pass

Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

       

   

Bidding:  East was delighted to defend a 1H doubled contract.  North should have bailed out to a club contract but he had no idea the double would be left in for penalties.

 

Play:  East’s pass of his partner’s takeout double literally commanded a trump be led.  West obeyed and declarer was in big trouble.  He won the second round of hearts but could come to no more than four tricks. 

 

Most pairs play that over an opponent’s takeout double, a new suit is forcing at the one-level but non-forcing at the two-level.  This is an agreement you should discuss with your partners.  I know for a fact that South brought this subject up with his partner. 

 

 

Copyright 2014