The takeout double is one of the most versatile tools in the bidding. It can be used at a players first turn as well as on subsequent rounds of bidding. The key is to know when a double is for takeout and when it is for penalty.
This lesson covers the common takeout double of one of a suit, and the rules to determine the meaning of doubles in other situations.
If your right-hand opponent opens with one of a suit, a double is for takeout asking partner to bid.
A takeout double requires 13+ points with 3+ cards in each unbid suit; or 19+ points with any hand pattern.
Do not count the queen or jack in the enemy suit to make a 13-point double; these cards will disappoint partner.
Partner should respond at the cheapest level with 0-9 points.
East doubles for takeout and West bids his longest suit. East should not bid again because West may have no points at all.
A response of 1 NT shows 6-9 HCP and the enemy suit stopped.
West could respond 2 but it is preferable to bid 1 NT with a balanced hand and a heart stopper.
A response made freely (after an enemy bid) shows 6-9 points.
Wests 2 response shows 6-9 points since he should pass 2 with 0-5 points.
With 10 to 12 points make a jump response. This is invitational to game but nonforcing.
West is forced to bid with no points so he jumps in his major suit only four cards are necessary to invite game. East has a minimum double so he passes.
In competition it is still necessary to jump to show 10-12 points. East accepts the invitation with his 15-point double.
With 13+ points bid game or cue-bid the enemy suit to force.
West is confident of the best contract so he bids it. Note that West assumes at least 3 card heart support from Easts double.
West is not sure of the best contract so he cue-bids the enemy suit. After that all bids are forcing; when no fit is found, West bids 3 NT with his diamond stopper.
How can you make a free bid with only two points?
Once I pay the entry, all my bids are free.
Typically the takeout doubler will pass at his next turn. A strong hand is required to bid further.
When partner shows 0-9 points, doubler may raise with 16-18 points and four trumps. All other rebids show 19+ points.
West prefers to bid his major suit, and East raises to show 16-18 points. West invites game and East accepts.
The 1 bid looks weird but West should not pass with less than Q-J-10-x-x in the enemy suit. East shows 19+ points.
The double of an enemy response (including 1 NT) to an opening bid of one of a suit is for takeout provided the doublers partner did not bid or double.
The requirements to double a response are the same as to double the opening suit bid.
Wests double is just like a double of a 1 opening. East competes freely to 3 which suggests 6-9 points since he would pass with less.
Wests double of 3 is for takeout and here it leads to an excellent sacrifice bid in 4 ; in fact, 4 might even make with a little bit of luck.
If the opponents have bid two suits, the doubler should have at least four cards in each unbid suit (else 16+ points).
With a minimum-strength double West must have at least 4-4 in hearts and clubs. Note that East bids a 3 card heart suit rather than bid 1 NT without a spade stopper.
A takeout double may be made by a player who has opened the bidding with one of a suit, overcalled in a suit, made a takeout double, or even passed at his previous turn. The following conditions must always be met:
The doublers partner has never bid or doubled.
The enemy bid is a natural suit bid no higher than 4 .
At least one suit is unbid.
Wests double is for takeout, showing a strong opening with support (3+ cards) for each unbid suit. East simply bids his longest suit and the best contract is reached.
West shows a strong opening bid with support for hearts (the unbid suit). East does not have a heart suit so he returns to openers original suit.
Easts double is for takeout. This shows a maximum overcall (16-18 points) with 3+ cards in each unbid suit. West cannot support diamonds so he bids his clubs.
Both of Easts doubles are for takeout the second double shows a stronger hand. East passes 3 because West is likely to have a terrible hand on the auction.
If you have passed after an enemy bid, there are additional restrictions as to when a double is for takeout. Expert agreement in this area is not universal. My suggested rules are listed below:
After passing an enemy bid, the double of a suit is for takeout: If a raised suit through 4
Or in balancing seat through 2
Or in direct seat through 2 .
Easts double after passing is for takeout because spades were raised. West dutifully bids an unbid suit.
Wests balancing double (while risky) is for takeout. East knows Wests strength is limited (he passed 1 NT) so he wisely bids a 3 card suit instead of 2 NT.
© 2012 Richard Pavlicek