Insights on Bridge 2 (excerpt) Hand 57 | Page 3

would raise. You should treat this auction more or less the same. Note that your partner has at least three-card support. If your partner likes to double without support for all suits, you will want to discuss it with him. Here’s my often repeated warning: If you don’t bid when you reasonably can, you will lose many good results. Passing is not good bridge. Note that your partner will be very wary about raising you with three hearts. HAND 3. When partner makes a takeout double, you should fight to bid when you have a suit. When you have something like this hand, nine high-card points notwithstanding, you should pass. Bidding notrump is your only option and it’s prob- ably a losing one. Bid with fits. Points are less important. HAND 4. Bid 3♥. This is invitational, not forcing. You show in the range of nine to eleven points. Your hand is at the top of this range. You may have five hearts, you may have four. When I show this hand during a class on takeout doubles, around 60% of the class bid just 2♥. Consider that if it is right to bid 2♥ on Hand 2, then this hand is surely worth a stronger bid. Given Hand 4 has five hearts, good shape, and cards in suits your partner likes, I rate this hand as worth four support points more than Hand 2. 109 / hand 57