Weekly Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - May 6, 2024 - Takeout Double

 

Vic:

In addition to showing a strong hand, a jump shift to another suit describes a two-suited hand. The North hand is not two-suited. It is balanced. North should not "want" to jump shift to anything other than NT.  

The Pass by South showed less than 6 HCPs. The 2C bid by West was apparently Michael's, promising the two majors (5 - 5). Subsequent to those two bids, North should not "want" to bid anything. What they should want to do is Pass. 

The flawed 2S bid by North is a "Reverse" which does promise a strong hand (19+). But like a jump shift, a Reverse promises a two-suited hand (clubs longer than spades in this case).  

I am not sure if West intended their DBL to be for takeout (choose the major) or penalty. But East did well to Pass, leaving the DBL in for penalty. Turns out EW deserve to take 8 tricks in spades. That would put North down three (doubled), giving EW a nice tidy 500 point score for a board on which they could not make more than a part score contract.

 Look at the South hand. It is one "Quack" away from being a "Yarborough", a term used to describe some of the worst hands in bridge. Bridge is a team game. North needed to listen to partner's "Pass", not fall in love with their own hand. 

 Turns out EW deserves either 7 or 8 tricks in any of the five "suits". 

Ain't bridge a great game?