IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

It's so important to listen to the bidding.  While this may seem simple and obvious, it is surprising so many people listen but do not hear.  Take a look, or rather, a listen.

Scoring:  Matchpoints (Pairs)
 
Hand #36
Dlr  W
Vul N-S
S AK108
H J7
D KJ3
C KQ72
S 2
H AK962
D AQ875
C 105
    
S QJ97
H Q8
D 942
C AJ83

S 6543
H 10543
D 106
C 964
West North
 East
 South
1H DBL
 RDBL
 1S
    2D     2S     Pass    Pass
    3D     3S    DBL
 All Pass

BIDDING:  North had a very good takeout double and East redoubled to promise ten or more HCP.  South properly took a preference to spades and West's 2D bid showed a red two-suiter with no extras and no particular desire to defend.  North wasn't done and competed to 2S.  East was tempted to double but passed knowing West must make another call.  After West bid 3D, North loved his hand and bid one more.  East knew what to do and 3S doubled became the final contract.

PLAY:  It's too gory to describe the details but declarer ended up with only five tricks for down four and -1100.  North was heard to say " But, I had 17 HCP, I had to bid again".  Let's do the math that North should have done at the table: (approx. numbers)  West:13 HCP,  North: 17 HCP, East:10 HCP, South:  well, that doesn't leave South with any, does it?  North must know as soon as the redouble is made that his partner is broke.  This is a terrible case of a player bidding his hand without LISTENING to his partner.

Note that East could (and perhaps should) have doubled 2S but he had faith that his partner would take another call.  Auctions with the redouble should be discussed thoroughly with your partners.

Copyright ©2007 Larry Matheny.