Lesson 3H Main |
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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.
1. ![]() | ||
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2 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl Pass | Pass |
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.
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1 NT | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl Pass | Pass |
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.
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2 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl Pass | 2 ![]() |
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.
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2 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl Pass | Pass |
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.
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3 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl 4 ![]() | 2 ![]() |
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.
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4 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl Pass | Pass |
West is confident of the best contract so he bids it. Note that West assumes at least 3 card heart support from Easts double.
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2 ![]() 2 ![]() 3 NT | 1 ![]() Pass Pass Pass | Dbl 2 ![]() 3 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass Pass |
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.
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1 ![]() 3 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass Pass | Dbl 2 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass Pass |
West prefers to bid his major suit, and East raises to show 16-18 points. West invites game and East accepts.
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1 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass | Dbl 2 ![]() | Pass |
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.
Lesson 3H Main | ![]() | Top Takeout Doubles |
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.
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Dbl | 1 ![]() 2 ![]() | Pass 3 ![]() | 1 NT |
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.
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Dbl | 1 ![]() 4 ![]() | Pass 4 ![]() | 3 ![]() Dbl |
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).
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Dbl | 1 ![]() Pass | Pass 2 ![]() | 1 ![]() |
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.
Lesson 3H Main | ![]() | Top Takeout Doubles |
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.
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1 ![]() Dbl | Pass Pass | Pass 2 ![]() | 2 ![]() |
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.
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1 ![]() Dbl | 1 ![]() Pass | Pass 2 ![]() | 2 ![]() |
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.
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Pass 3 ![]() | 1 ![]() Pass Pass | 2 ![]() Dbl Pass | 2 ![]() Pass |
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.
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Pass 3 ![]() | 1 ![]() 2 ![]() Pass | Dbl Dbl Pass | 1 NT Pass |
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 .
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Pass 3 ![]() | 1 ![]() 2 ![]() Pass | Pass Dbl Pass | 1 ![]() Pass |
Easts double after passing is for takeout because spades were raised. West dutifully bids an unbid suit.
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Pass Dbl | 1 ![]() 2 ![]() Pass | Pass Pass 2 ![]() | 1 NT Pass |
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.
Lesson 3H Main | ![]() | Top Takeout Doubles |
© 2012 Richard Pavlicek