Page 19 - ABF Newsletter August 2025

] A 6 4 [ 6 2 } A 6 3 { K Q 10 9 6
Yet again you might be stronger. What would you do
with this rock:
] K J 10 8 [ A } A 10 4 2 { K J 9 6
Hand Five
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1[ pass 2[ pass pass dbl
Traditionally not strong enough to make a takeout double of 1[, but now opponents have a fit and partner is marked with some values it is important to balance:
] Q J 7 5 [ 4 2 } A J 10 5 { J 10 3 Hand Six
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
1] pass 1NT pass
2] dbl
Ishmael Del’Monte posed this problem to me about ten years ago. He meant it as penalty, since opponents do not have a fit, and he would hardly make a takeout double of 2] but not 1]. He held:
] A K 10 8 7 [ A 6 3 } 4 { J 10 9 3 Hand Seven
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 3[ pass 4[ pass pass dbl
Again penalties. What are you supposed to do holding: ] 6 3 [ A K J 9 } A 10 8 7 { J 6 3
I held this hand about 30 years ago and doubled 4[, and my sleepy partner took it out to 4], which was dou- bled and a disaster. Surely my double is penalties – what hand could I have to double 4[ for takeout but not 3[?
Hand Eight
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1{ 1[ pass pass dbl
Takeout, but may not have extra values. Holding:
] A 6 4 [ A Q 10 8 6 } Q J 10 3 { 6
East would pass over 1[ hoping for a reopening double, which would surely net 800 or 1100. If opener could pass out 1[ with 0-2 hearts then responder would probably bid an ungainly 3NT over 1[ rather than risk defending 1[ undoubled and collecting a bunch of 50s.
In my partnerships opener guarantees to reopen with 0-2 in the overcalled suit, hopefully with a double, up to the level of 2[. Hunting for penalties is a major part of the expert approach, and it’s fun and free.
Hand Nine
WEST NORTH
1] 2[
2] 3} dbl
A penalty pass of 2[, except opener didn’t reopen with a double but showed a weak, shapely hand with 2]. East held
] A 10 [ A J 10 7 6 } A 3 { 10 8 7 4 and both 3} and 3[ make only four tricks, a penalty of
1400 or 1700.
Hand Ten
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 1{ 1] pass 2} 3{ pass pass dbl
Extra values, asking partner to pass the double with a suitable hand, or choose a contract. The 2} bidder held:
] A 10 3 [ A 3 } A 10 8 7 5 2 { J 3
If partner has a singleton diamond your side is better off defending 3{ doubled, where you can give partner diamond ruffs.
EAST SOUTH
pass
pass
Meet Helen and Paul Lavings, who won the Cen- tral West Open Pairs, an ABF event held recently in Orange over two days.
With the retirement of Nick Fahrer and the clo- sure of The Bridge Shop, Paul is now the only retail outlet in Australia where you can buy both bridge books and supplies.
Paul loves to get your phone calls, so save time and call him on 02 4295 0870 or 0408 888 085.
Australian Bridge Federation Ltd. Newsletter: August 2025
Page: 19