Hand 448 — take out double

Play this hand
Dealer
W
User Side
N/S
Contract
4S
Declarer
N
Tricks Makeable
11
Recommended Lead
2D
Vulnerability
None
System
SAYC

Planning

A take-out double is a good weapon in the right circumstances.

The Deal

North
A Q 7 4
A J 8 3
6
Q 8 6 5
West
8 5
K 6
A Q J 8 5
K 10 7 4
East
10 6
9 7 4
K 10 7 2
J 9 3 2
South
K J 9 3 2
Q 10 5 2
9 4 3
A
North: 13 HCP, 4-4-1-4
East: 4 HCP, 2-3-4-4 (bal)
South: 10 HCP, 5-4-3-1
West: 13 HCP, 2-2-5-4

Bidding Sequence

W N E S
1DDBLPass1S
Pass3SPass4S
PassPassPass

Final Comments

In 4 spades we count our losers.
0 spades
1 heart
1 diamond (we can trump the losers in dummy)
0 clubs (we can trump the losers in hand)
Seeing as how west opened, a heart finesse through the ace/jack stands a good chance of winning.
If all goes well, we will make 12 tricks.