Lesson 3H Main
Takeout Doubles
by Richard PavlicekLesson 3H Main |
| by Richard Pavlicek |
The takeout double is one of the most versatile tools in the bidding. It can be used at a player’s 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.
Double of One of a SuitIf 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.  | ||
 9 5 4 2 7 3 Q 10 9 3 8 6 5 |  | A 3 K 9 8 4 A K 8 9 7 4 3 |
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.
| 2. | ||
| 4 3 Q J 9 8 8 6 3 A 8 7 2 | | K Q 10 6 7 2 A K 9 2 10 6 3 |
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.
| 3. | ||
| 10 9 8 2 A 8 4 2 Q 7 2 4 3 | | J 7 5 3 7 A K 6 4 K 9 5 2 |
2 | 1 Pass | Dbl Pass | 2 |
West’s 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.
| 4. | ||
| 4 3 J 10 9 2 K Q 5 3 A 8 2 | | K Q 9 2 Q 7 4 A J 10 2 4 3 |
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.
| 5. | ||
| K J 10 2 K 3 9 2 Q 10 9 4 3 | | A Q 9 5 A 8 7 2 4 3 K J 2 |
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.
| 6. | ||
| A J 8 2 Q J 9 8 6 K 10 3 2 | | 4 K 10 7 5 A 9 7 6 K J 9 3 |
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 East’s double.
| 7. | ||
| A Q 5 4 Q 6 2 A J 6 5 9 2 | | K 8 2 A K 7 5 7 2 Q J 10 8 |
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.
| 8. | ||
| 8 Q 8 7 3 A 9 8 7 2 9 7 2 | | A 7 6 2 A K J 9 5 4 3 A 3 |
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.
| 9. | ||
| J 10 3 J 3 9 7 6 4 2 9 6 2 | | A K 2 A Q 9 8 7 3 A 10 8 4 |
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 |
Double of a ResponseThe double of an enemy response (including 1 NT) to an opening bid of one of a suit is for takeout provided the doubler’s partner did not bid or double.
The requirements to double a response are the same as to double the opening suit bid.
| 10. | ||
| K J 10 3 4 3 A J 4 3 K Q 2 | | 6 2 A 8 6 2 K 10 9 7 5 4 3 |
Dbl | 1 2 | Pass 3 | 1 NT |
West’s 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.
| 11. | ||
| K 9 7 4 — A K 10 6 J 9 7 5 2 | | Q 8 6 5 3 9 7 5 2 Q 7 2 3 |
Dbl | 1 4 | Pass 4 | 3 Dbl |
West’s 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).
| 12. | ||
| 9 2 K J 10 7 9 2 A K 9 8 3 | | 8 6 4 3 Q 9 2 A 8 6 5 3 2 |
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 |
Belated DoublesA 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 doubler’s partner has never bid or doubled.
The enemy bid is a natural suit bid no higher than 4 .
At least one suit is unbid.
| 13. | ||
| A Q 7 A K Q 7 2 4 K 9 8 4 | | J 9 6 4 3 4 3 10 8 7 2 6 3 |
| 1 Dbl | Pass Pass | Pass 2 | 2 |
West’s 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.
| 14. | ||
| A 9 7 A K 7 2 A K J 8 4 2 | | J 8 6 2 6 4 3 Q 10 2 10 8 3 |
| 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 opener’s original suit.
| 15. | ||
| K 10 6 2 7 5 3 3 Q 9 7 3 2 | | 5 A 9 8 A K 8 6 4 2 K J 4 |
Pass 3 | 1 Pass Pass | 2 Dbl Pass | 2 Pass |
East’s 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.
| 16. | ||
| 6 5 2 10 7 5 3 J 7 5 3 9 2 | | 4 3 A K J 8 A K 2 K J 10 3 |
Pass 3 | 1 2 Pass | Dbl Dbl Pass | 1 NT Pass |
Both of East’s 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 .
| 17. | ||
| A 9 6 2 8 4 3 Q 2 10 9 7 2 | | 4 K 9 6 5 A 8 7 4 A J 8 4 |
Pass 3 | 1 2 Pass | Pass Dbl Pass | 1 Pass |
East’s double after passing is for takeout because spades were raised. West dutifully bids an unbid suit.
| 18. | ||
| K 10 9 4 5 3 A J 2 Q 10 7 4 | | A J 3 A 8 6 2 9 6 3 J 9 2 |
Pass Dbl | 1 2 Pass | Pass Pass 2 | 1 NT Pass |
West’s balancing double (while risky) is for takeout. East knows West’s 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