Editorial by Paul Bowyer
Welcome to V-Blue, the e-magazine for those fresh to the wonderful game of bridge.
In this twentieth edition there are, naturally, three brilliant series for you. Two series (of six hands each) go back to the subject of the contested auction and focus on the take-out Double. This is an area of bridge where many players (some of them experienced) go wrong. The two basic ideas are simple enough – a take-out Double asks partner to bid something and partner should make a bid to show both length and strength. Simple enough, we think. Let’s see how you do. Of course, although this is all about bidding we haven’t neglected the play aspect – there’s much to delight you here.
Our third series, of eight deals, is our “General Series” where we mix up some hands and ideas from previous editions of VuBridge. Some of these deals are easy... and some of them less so. You can further test yourself with our quiz – this time on the topic of responding to an overcall. Remember what partner is showing when he lurches into the auction with an overcall. How should you back him up as his partner?
Enjoy yourselves.
Series #2533 - The take-out Double - Part I (ACOL)
This set of deals (and another set to be be found elsewhere in this edition) is all about the take-out Double. The principle of the take-out Double is generally well understood – a low level Double asks partner to bid his best suit.
What's the problem then? Well, the "responder" to a take-out Double has to take care to bid with great accuracy. Firstly, he has a gun pointing at his temple – he cannot Pass the Double as the opponents are likely to make the contract, possibly with overtricks. This means he has to bid, even with a collection of used tram-tickets. Therefore, responder cannot make a minimum bid if he does have some values otherwise partner (the Doubler) will be in the dark.
These hands are designed to lead you safely through this minefield...
Responding to an overcall Quiz
We are continuing to delve into the dark and murky world that is the contested auction.
This is a difficult place to be because you have two, sometimes conflicting, aims. One is to win the auction and make your contract. The other is to push the opponents around and maybe get them to end up too high, going off.
Click here to run the Quiz.
Series #2534 - The take-out Double - Part II (ACOL) This set of deals (the second of two on this topic) is all about the take-out Double.
Here are eight general practice hands on the themes that we have been looking at in Vu-Bridge. They are in no particular order, just enjoy them as they come.
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