"Hell in a Hand-basket" Take Out Doubles by Marti Ronemus

The end of life as we knew it (at least according to our parents) began in 1951 when the first official rock and roll song hit the airways. It was Ike Turner's "Rocket 88" and the sound set a whole generation on fire. Parents were in a total tizzy, and we must admit we kind of enjoyed that a little.

Then it got worse!! Remember the craziness that occurred when The Beatles with "that HAIR!!" came along? That, for rebellious teen-agers, was even MORE fun!

65 years later, we see it for the tempest in a teapot it was.

And now, let's deal with the excitement that a Take Out Double can create.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 2
♥ A J 8 7
♦ Q 5 4
♣ K J 9 5 4

Q: 1 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
?

A: Double: PERFECT!! TOD requires a) shortness in the opponent's suit, b) opening points including dummy points, c) four in the other major, and d) tolerance for any suit bid. This is what it looks like.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 4
♥ A J 8
♦ K Q 10 4
♣ K 9 8

Q: 2 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: 1 No-trump: We've got the points, but the shape is not so great for a Double. Don't do it! Here, with our No-trump points and shape, and most importantly, a stopper in their suit, 1 No-trump is the better bid. Don't dance to the wrong music.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 7
♥ A Q 10 8 7
♦ K 10 2
♣ Q 8 5

Q: 3 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Pass: Sigh. Sometimes the nicest hand at the table has to pass. Mark these words: A pass in the overcall seat doesn't say "I don't have anything." It says, "I don't have a bid." We can't double, that would be for takeout, not penalty. We don't have the money for No-trump. We have to Pass and count on Pard to Do the Right Thing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K 4 3
♥ A J 10 9 2
♦ J 5 4
♣ 10

Q: 4 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	p	1♦
?

A: Double: This is a little trickier. We've got a lovely tune running through our mind, but what to do? We could bid Hearts, but what if Pard is short and has Spades? Why not Double? If Pard is 3-3, he will bid Hearts first. Let's make him do the heavy lifting.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 3 2
♥ K 10 9 6 5
♦ A K 10 9 3
♣ 2

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	P	2♥
?

A: 3♦: Another tough one. The one thing we know for sure is that Pard is VERY short in Hearts. We can't resist this hand. Our Diamond suit is nice and the fact that Pard is void in Hearts means the chances are improved he has Diamonds. East is weak. If the opponents continue to dance, we will be their worst nightmare.

And now, our hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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