Concerning TOXes
This deal provides us with a fine example of why we need to have, and understand, the ”takeout double”.
Board 18 from Wednesday 22/11/2017 Dealer E NS Vul
| ||||||||||
|
| |||||||||
|
7
976
K32
AK7653Takeout doubles are not just used when an opponent has opened the bidding and you want to tell partner you want to compete. They are also, in fact more often, necessary when partner has opened and an opponent overcalled. Here, West, if playing Acol, opens 1H and North overcalls 2C. East has an absolutely perfect takeout double. East cannot bid 2S because that would suggest a five card suit and more points. East does not want to raise hearts with only three of them. But East has the perfect answer: DOUBLE. This describes the hand to perfection: four or more spades, and a hand good enough to play in 2S if opener has four of them, or if opener has 5+ hearts and not four spades, enough help in a heart contract to expect 2H to make.
It is not often you get a perfect hand for a takeout double, so I wonder why there were so many Norths who were allowed to play in 2C. In fact, in the session being reviewed, there was only one West in spades, in 3S, maybe South had competed to 3C after North's overcall. 3S doesn't look like a gimme, but our declarer made it, so must have handled the bad trump break very well. 2S is no doubt where the end result should be, was it at YOUR club?
I received the following email the other day, from a reader in England:
Hi Vil
First, thanks for sending it airmail, it arrived today.
Secondly, what a magnificent book. I’m sure you are justifiably very proud. The standard of layout and print is absolutely excellent...far, far better than anything I could have achieved.
Well done: it’s a wonderful project.
Very best wishes
Philip
There are still some copies of “Tips and Quips” available. It would make a great Christmas present for a son, daughter, mum or dad. $30 including postage, just send me an email to order, villyn@xtra.co.nz
