Takeout Double Responses 1

Responses to Takeout Double

Mostly Natural. Our responses to takeout doubles are (mostly) natural and standard.

With 5 of a minor and four of an unbid major, we bid the major - not the minor.

We bid everything at our first call. A takeout doubler isn't starting a conversation -- he is telling it all with one bid; responder must do the same.

With 0 - 7 HCP, we bid the longest suit at the lowest level - always with preference for the majors. Sometimes - rarely - we bid with three cards in a major. (and hold our breath).

With 8+ HCP, we jump in our longest suit with preference for the majors. We don't bid at the lowest level -- that shows zero points, not 8+ points.

With 10 - 12 dummy, we double jump in the best suit -- majors are always the choice.

With 13+, we jump to game somewhere, in the majors whenever possible. Don't forget 3NT with stoppers in the opponents' suit.

Example Takeout Double Responses

N              E              S              W

1§              DBL          P        1©

1© by West is a zero point bid from East's point of view. If East bids again, he must be strong enough to face an empty dummy.

                    1§              Dbl          P          4ª

This is the same West cards that would produce 4 Spades if East had dealt and opened 1 Spade. A big advantage is that West knows where all the defending points are.

                    1§              Dbl          P          2ª

This is an important bid by West, showing more than 7 points. East may raise with 17 or 18 HCP or jump to 4 Spades with 19 or more, but must Pass with a normal 12 - 14 point double. The level shows strength in HCP's -- a 2ª bid shows 8 to 9; 3ª shows 10 to 11 and 4ª shows 12+.

                    1§              Dbl          P         3NT

With Clubs well stopped and an opener, 3NT is the right call - but only when there's no majors to bid.

"I Bid Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds". The takeout doubler must remember that saying "Double" is the same as bidding three suits at once -- he must not raise his partner without extra points because he ordered partner to bid by making the takeout double.