Weekly Hand Analysis - Glenna Shannahan - February 20, 2023 - Take out Double response

 

Question:  All other partnerships stayed in spades.  This hand went down 2 in hearts.  Was the South bid wrong after the take out double?

Glenna:

This hand has several lessons rolled into one. 1st, we make take out doubles (TOX) ONLY when we have 13 points and at least 3-card support for the other 3 suits. N has 11 points and MUST pass—quick way to ruin partnership trust when you don’t follow the rules. South was correct to bid 3 ♥️ once E  passes—it’s 1,000 forcing.

  But, let’s go back to the East hand: You should (MUST) bid 4 ♠️. Can’t imagine your passing—you have honor (Q) doubleton and partner has 6 so you have found a Golden FIT! 

You also have very, very close to opening hand so just bid 4.  Bridge is a bidding game and you cannot win if you don’t bid when you should. 

  At a table where everyone follows the rules the bidding would go 2 ♠️ P  4 ♠️ P and everyone would get an average board. Remember we Support With Support. 

Glenna