"Friday the 13th" by Marti Ronemus

A: 5♦: We've got a good suit and some "stuff" outside. We might consider passing Pard's double, but we don't have enough Clubs or tricks. Any additional action is Pard's problem. This is scary enough.

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A: 4♠: This situation is exactly why we LOVE preempts when WE are the ones who "commit" them, and HATE them when we are the victim. It's tempting to bid 5♣, Michaels Cuebid showing the majors, but it does push things up a bit high, sort of like walking under that ladder. In disgust, we bid our longest suit, with a willingness to bid Hearts if those Black Cats continue with their wretched Clubs. Grrrr.

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A: Double: We use those "two-fer" bids whenever we can. The double promises four Spades and support for the fourth suit. We like this hand a lot. It's got great texture with the shape, and honors all in the two longest suits... no wasted values. A safe bid for a dangerous day.

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A: 2♠: This is a Law of Total Tricks hand. Normally we would (gleefully) Pass with this miserable pile of cards. BUT!! In a competitive auction, raising Pard to the level of trumps in our combined hands is a great defensive action. We've got an 8-card fit. Let's bid it. Pard won't be encouraged, because raising Pard's suit in a competitive auction is the weakest bid we can give.

Your result so far:

A: Pass: The question is, when can you Pass Pard's Takeout Double? And expect to survive the experience? This is the hand. What's the guideline here... If you can see THREE trump tricks and one outside trick, convert the Double to penalty. Otherwise, you simply must bid. Otherwise, like Jimmy Hoffa, they'll never find your body.

Ready to try our luck with a hand?

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