BRIDGE NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20382, 31 October 1931, Page 10

BRIDGE NOTES.

THE TAKE-OUT. 'SrECIALLV WRITTEN TOR THE THESS.)

fßy William Shackle.]

Having a hand which seems as .if it would not- fit in with partner's bid, it is always better to deny partner's bid by taking him out into either no trumps or another suit, rather than to say no bid. If one passes, it is only natural that partner should expect normal support, whereas the take-out bid will advise him that normal support is lacking, though; of course, it v. ill not necessarily mean actual strength, as well as length, in the suit iy'd Generally speaking, one should take out partner from a suit bid if on« holds less than two cards of the declared suit, by bidding into any five or more card suit which one holds. - If one has three four-card suits, it is advisable to go into no trumps than leave partner in his suit, of which one holds only a singleton. Partner mitv of course/call back into his suit if fie holds exceptional strength, plus length, say, six or more cards, in saii^c; but if he holds A K'x x x it will generally be better for him to allow partner to play the hand, the reason being that his A K will make tricks, wheiher they are trumps or not, whereas his partner's suit, may lack top honours, so would only be of use if his long suit was trumps. As example:—A bid 1 Heart, holding S. x x, H. A K 10 x s, D. A x x. C. xxx. while B, his partner, held; S.' Ass x x. H; x, I). K x, C. Q x jr x. x, and called one Spade. A would say no bid, as he held a 'fair supporting hand for B, a sure three tricks, which would mak<: in whatever suit the hand was played in:. Take n«'av a small spade from A and ,uld small club to his hand and the position 'would be quite ;i« he would have to der.v 15's .spade. This he would do by bidding one no trump. ]} should now work out the position somewhat like this: A holds five hearts, probably one spade, leaving seven cards between diamonds and clubs. In n <> trumps we hold only one cover in spades, my ace, and possibly ~,nlv two in hearts. Therefore, if I bid* into my other five-card suit, clubs, we can probably cross ruff in spades and hearts, and though unlikely to make game we can probably make eight or nine tricks. Thus B bids two

clubs, which A leaves alono. A B in play make nine tricks, as they lose one trick in spades and three in trumps. If partner ■ bids no trumps as an initial bid, it is usual to take out "on length rather than on strength, as if one holds top cards plus length one is likely to be able to establish one's long suit and make tricks, whereas if

tlie length lacks' strength it is almost I useless as support for no trumps; but ' tuost useful if that suit is the declared j trumps. The general rule regarding the take out from no trumps is (1) Holding five or more card 3 of ft major suit, without top honours, bid two of that suit: (2) holding five or more cards of a.

I um'or suit 1 eo bid; (b) ph» * F** Tj of the minor su>t-