So many doubles

We’ve plowed this ground before but a simple review never hurts. Of the myriad of doubles, take out, penalty, lead directing, and negative, the responsive double is often misunderstood. It is cousin to the negative double but is used by the over-callers. It works as follows. LHO bids a major suit, partner doubles to show opening count and is asking you to bid, RHO raises his partner’s suit, you are next in line to bid, hold 10 points and both minors you bid a double to show the minor suits. If opponents bid a minor suit in the sequence above and you have 8 points and both majors you can double showing the majors. Now partner knows your count and shape of hand and can best choose a bid for your partnership. Of course pass may be the best bid for partner.

Congratulations to all who went to the Gatlinburg Regional and won points. Hope you had a great time and enjoyed the scenery.

Our April 21 Evergreen game was smaller than usual due to the number of our players at Gatlinburg. Winning N/S 1st Andra Cozart and Jan Glover; 2nd Marie Pugh and Ruth Bowles; E/W 1st John and Myrnie McLaughlin, 2nd Dick Brisbin and Wayne Pegram.

Featured is board #4 from this game. It is a block buster and one we all dream of getting and playing

All sides vulnerable with West dealing

NORTH:

S A J

H     J 8 3 2

D     A Q 5

C     Q J T 2

WEST:              EAST:

S T 9 7 6 4 2     S Q 8 5

H 9 5                 H  T 7

D K                    D J T 9 8 7 6 2

C 9 7 5 4            C 6

SOUTH:

S K 3

H A K Q 6 4

D 4 3

C A K 8 2

Of the 6 N/S pairs only 2 bid slam in hearts while all made 7. Dave and Anna Goff were the only pair bidding 7H making 7 for the best score. The April 25 Women’s Club game winners were: 1st Judy Gealy and Fern Albracht; 2nd Dave Goff and Dick Brisbin;3rd Becky Creekmore and Marie Pugh. Congrats.