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Take-Out DoublesA take-out double is the most common use for the bid ‘double’ in bridge. When the opponents have opened the bidding and you have 11 or more points, no five card suit to bid, and shortness in the opponent’s suit – you double. A textbook take-out double would look like this: The Opponent opens 1 ♠: You have: ♠ 7 ♥ A Q 6 3 ♦ K J 5 2 ♣ Q 10 4 3 At least three card support for the other suits, 11 or more high card points, no five card suit to bid, and shortness in the opponents suit. You can make a take-out double with two cards in the opponent’s suit but just remember, the worse your distribution the more points you should have. A take-out double is a method that allows you and your partner to compete in an auction when you have points but no long suit. Responding to a Take-out DoubleIf your partner makes a take-out double – YOU MUST BID, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO POINTS! The only exception to this is if your right hand opponent bids. If so you are ‘off the hook’. Example:
If you have to bid:
Remember that partner has promised you that he has the other three suits. DoublersRemember - since you forced your partner to bid, you should not raise unless you have more than your partner would expect you to have (roughly 15 or more points). Remember – you have shown an opening hand already and the other three
suits…..you should not bid again UNLESS YOU HAVE EXTRAS!
East's double is for takeout. West does not have to bid once South responds,
but should bid 2♠ with a good spade suit and 8 points.
North's double is a takeout double. Once East passes, South must bid. South should bid 3♣.
West's double is ostensibly a takeout double. East must bid when North passes and will bid his longest unbid suit, spades. West's bid now of 2♥ shows a hand that was too strong to simply overcall 1♥. East should bid 3♥ with a heart fit and a singleton. West will raise to game with a good hand.
North cannot make a takeout double because he does not have shortness in clubs or at least three hearts. North can either pass or bid 1♦. I would choose 1♦ because of the quality of my diamonds and the strength of my hand. East will pass and South should bid 1NT or 2♦. I would choose 2♦ because of my length in partner's suit.
East does not double because they have a good five card suit to overcall. South must pass with no clear bid. West will pass. North re-opens with 2♣. East doubles to show not only their spade suit but the other two unbid suits also. West picks 2♥ because of the quality and length of their heart suit. South competes to 3♣.
South makes a takeout double because his hand is too strong to simply overcall 1NT. North bids 1♠. South now bids 1NT showing 18-20 high card points and a heart stopper. North bids 3NT. Prepared Using BridgeComposer |
