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TAKEOUT DOUBLES This chapter assumes that the partnership is not using weak jump overcalls, or if it does, that takeout doubles are not affected by them. That is to say, using off-shape doubles as a vehicle to show a strong jump overcall sort of hand (i.e., about 8 playing tricks) is not a partnership practice. One must make a simple overcall with such a hand, or bid game, or whatever. For a full discussion of this subject, see the chapter STRONG JUMP OVERCALLS in the book "Defensive Bidding." This chapter also assumes a range of 16-18 HCP for an opening bid of 1NT. For takeout doubles in reopening situations, see the chapter REOPENING THE BIDDING in the book "Defensive Bidding." A double of a natural suit opening bid or response, or of a new suit rebid by opener, is for takeout, asking partner to bid her longest suit. It implies an opening bid or better, shortness in the suit doubled, and preparedness for any response. Unlike an opening bid, you can count ruffing values for shortness in the opposing suit, so a takeout double with a singleton in that suit may be made with as little as 11 HCP. Partner will count on at least two-and-one-half defensive tricks. The ideal distribution for a takeout double is 4-4-4-1, with a singleton in the opposing suit. A singleton is actually better than a void, because partner may pass the double. If he does, you can lead a trump. A 4-3-3-3 hand is a bad holding for a takeout double. It is usually better to pass such a hand if you lack the require- ments for a notrump overcall. With extra strength, however, a double may be chanced. Double 1C with S-KQ3 H-AK3 D-A1087 C-432, but pass if the hand is weaker. A double of 1C with good (4-4-4-1) shape can be quite light, since partner can respond at the one level. A double of 1S, on the other hand, should be fairly sound. Vulnerability is also a factor, because light doubles are dangerous when vulnerable. A marginal double should have four cards in any unbid major(s) and a singleton in the opposing suit. Lack of major suit length, or more cards in the opposing suit, calls for extra strength to compensate. With length and strength in the opposing suit, just pass with an unbalanced hand or a hand too weak for a notrump overcall. You may prefer a pass even when holding values for a notrump overcall, especially when the opponents are vulnerable. They often get into trouble after this "trap pass." The chapter REOPENING DOUBLES OF 1NT RESPONSES AND REBIDS in the book "Defensive Bidding" shows one way to exploit such trouble. Do not double an opening bid with a two-suited hand. Prefer an overcall, hoping to bid the other suit later. Some such hands qualify for a cue bid (See the chapters DIRECT CUE BID OVERCALLS and TOP-AND-BOTTOM CUE BIDS in the book "Cue Bids.") When the opponents have bid two suits, then of course you can double with the other two suits. If they have bid a major and a minor, then the double implies four cards (or a weak five) in the unbid major. With a very good hand, however, it is all right to double--then bid the major--when the major is a good five-card suit. A takeout double of a minor suit implies seven or more cards in the majors, but six cards are okay with extra strength. You can double 1C with S-AJ3 H-AQ7 D-KJ1083 C-42. With a weaker hand, just bid 1D. A takeout double of one major implies at least four cards in the other major. With only three-card support the doubler should have extra values in high cards (especially in that major) and a singleton in the opposing suit. A doubleton in the only unbid major would be very unusual, but sometimes there is no alternative. What else can you do but double when RHO opens 1H and you hold S-AQ H-42 D-A10873 C-AKJ4? New Suit After Doubling A takeout double followed by a new suit bid may or may not show extra strength, depending on circumstances. Here are the pos- sibilities: Suit Doubled Response to Double Doubler's Rebid 1) A minor The other minor A major 2) A minor A major The other minor 3) A minor A major The other major 4) A major A minor The other minor 5) A major A minor The other major 6) A major The other major A minor Situation 1) has two variations, depending on whether the doubler's rebid is at the one or two level: South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1D 1H/1S South can have a minimum if his hand is what partner expects A 5-4 holding in the majors and three-card support for diamonds. When the bidding has gone to the two level, however, the doubler should have a good suit and at least an extra king: South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 2C 2H/2S If South has a good suit, the expected 5-4 in the majors and three- card club support, an extra king is enough for this sequence. With a minimum, South must either overcall in the five-card major instead of doubling, or pass the 2C response. Situation 2) has two variations that show the same sort of hand: South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1H/1S Pass 2D South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 1H/1S Pass 2C West needs no more than a king over a minimum if she has what East will picture: four cards in the unbid major, three cards in East's major, a good five or six-card minor, and shortness in the opposing suit (i.e., a good 5-4-3-1 or 6-4-3-0 hand). Any deviation from this picture should have compensation in the form of extra high cards. Situation 3) has two variations that are similar, except for one important difference: South West North East 1C/1D Dbl Pass 1H Pass 1S In this case the bidding is still at the one level and East can now show the unbid minor at the two level. West can have a minimum double with five spades, three hearts, and four cards in the unbid minor (as East will picture). South West North East 1C/1D Dbl Pass 1S Pass 2H Here the bidding is higher. If East wants to show the unbid minor now, he must go to the three level. Accordingly, West needs at least an extra king even with the expected hand: a 3-5-4-1 or 3-5-1-4 hand with a good five-card heart suit, three cards in spades, four cards in the unbid minor, and a singleton in opener's suit. With a weaker hand West must either pass a 1S response or just overcall with 1H instead of doubling. Situation 4) has two variations that differ even more in strength: South West North East 1H/1S Dbl Pass 2C Pass 2D In this case West can have a minimum double if she has four cards in the unbid major, a singleton in opener's suit, two or three clubs, and five or six diamonds. She has not gone past 2D, so she needs no more strength than a 2D overcall would entail (except that she has enough in high cards to justify a double). South West North East 1H/1S Dbl Pass 2D Pass 3C Here West must have a very strong hand, even with the expected four cards in the unbid major, good clubs, a few diamonds, and a singleton in opener's major. With a moderate hand (and perhaps a singleton diamond), West would have made a top-and-bottom cue bid (if playing that convention) instead of doubling (see TOP-AND- BOTTOM CUE BIDS chapter in the book "Cue Bids"). Situation 5) has two variations that are similar, with one significant difference: South West North East 1H Dbl Pass 2C/2D Pass 2S East will picture a 5-2-3-3 hand, maybe 5-1-4-3 or 5-1-3-4, but not 6-1-3-3, with which an overcall is preferable. Obviously West has a strong hand; otherwise he would have bid 1S instead of doubling. South West North East 1S Dbl Pass 2C/2D Pass 2H In this case West could not overcall at the one level, so he might be stretching a bit for the double in a match point game. In an IMP game the 2H bid shows a good hand, since he would presumably pass East's response with questionable strength. This sequence implies both a modest five-card heart holding and good minor suit support (else why not overcall 2H?), so East can safely retreat to a minor suit contract if short in hearts. Situation 6) is always strong, but one variation is very powerful: South West North East 1H Dbl Pass 1S Pass 2C/2D West implies three-card spade support and a very good hand. She could pass the response with a moderate double, and she needs a good hand to double without four cards in the unbid major anyway. With five spades East can rebid 2S with no strength at all, and can jump to 3S with as little as S-Q8732 H-652 D-K4 C-J76. South West North East 1S Dbl Pass 2H Pass 3C/3D West must have an extremely good hand, doubling with only three hearts and going to the three level all by himself. East can now bid 3H with five hearts and very little strength, since West almost certainly has three hearts. East should jump to 4H with S-652 H-Q8732 D-K4 C-J76. Raise After Doubling There are four situations for a takeout doubler's raise of a suit response: 1) Raise of a forced response, when RHO passes: South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1S Pass 2S This raise requires the equivalent of an extra ace and good distribution, and almost guarantees four-card support: S-KQ32 H-AJ97 D-AQ92 C-4. Add a couple of more points with two little clubs. 2) Free raise of a forced response: South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 1H 2C 2H This raise may be a little lighter with good four-card support, but must be full strength (i.e., extra ace, good distribution) with three-card support. Vulnerability enters into the decision here. 3) Raise of a free response when RHO passes: South West North East 1C Dbl 1D 1S Pass 2S Since East must have some strength, this raise can be made with no extra values if West has four-card support. By "no extra values" I mean a normal minimum rubber bridge sort of takeout double. A shaded duplicate sort of double calls for a pass of 1S, even with four-card support. 4) Free raise of a free response: South West North East 1C Dbl 1H 1S 2H 2S This raise can be made after a light takeout double, provided West has four-card support. Vulnerability enters into the decision. After a reopening takeout double, which may be quite light, raises are okay with somewhat less strength. See the chapter REOPENING THE BIDDING in the book "Defensive Bidding." Jump Takeout After Doubling If the doubler jumps in a new suit on the next round, he shows a powerful hand, but the jump is not forcing: South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1H Pass 2S West has S-A109762 H-AQ3 D-AK2 C-3. This sequence strongly implies a three-card heart holding, so East can bid 4H with a hand such as S-3 H-K87632 D-J87 C-763. If South had a stronger spade suit, or no heart support, he would just make a strong jump overcall in spades instead of doubling. If North had bid 1D, making 1H a free bid, then West's 2S bid would have been forcing for one round. Repeat Doubles A repeat double of the same suit at the two or three level is still for takeout, even if partner has bid a suit, provided the doubler has not bid a suit somewhere along the line and neither partner has bid notrump: South West North East 1D Dbl 2D/3D Pass Pass Dbl - takeout South West North East 1C Pass 2C Dbl Pass 2S 3C Dbl - takeout East has S-QJ3 H-AKQ3 D-AJ874 C-6. If he had bid 3S instead of repeating the double, South would expect four-card support and might bid 4S with little more than four spades and, say, the king of diamonds. South West North East 1S Dbl Pass 2C 2S Dbl - still for takeout West has S-2 H-AKJ3 D-KQ876 C-Q96, the sort of hand implied by the repeat double when partner has made a suit response. If either partner has bid notrump, however, a repeat double is for business: South West North East 1H Dbl Pass 1NT 2H Dbl - business double If West has a big 4-1-4-4 hand, he can bid 2NT over 2H. South West North East 1H Dbl Pass 1S Pass 1NT Pass Pass 2H Dbl - business double South West North East 1S Dbl Pass 2C 4S Dbl - primarily for business When the double is at the four level, as above, partner is permitted to pass with nothing more to say. If the doubled suit is a minor, however, the doubler had better have at least four cards in any unbid major. Partner will be reluctant to pass a double of 4C or 4D when holding four cards in an unbid major. South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1H 2C 2S 3C Pass Pass Dbl - business South West North East 1D Dbl 1H Pass 2C Dbl - business In the first auction, where the doubler has bid a suit, the repeat double is for business. The double of a new suit is for business in the second auction, but if South had rebid 2D the double would have been for takeout again, with a hand such as S-AQ108 H-KJ5 D-3 C-AJ652. Doubling After Passing A double made on the second round after passing may be for business or takeout depending on whether it is the first or second oppor- tunity to double the last suit bid: South West North East 1D Pass 1S Pass 2D Dbl - business If West wanted to double diamonds for takeout, she could have doubled 1D. South West North East 1D Pass 1H Pass 2C Dbl - takeout This is the first opportunity for West to double clubs, so it is for takeout. West has S-A1084 H-3 D-AJ972 C-AQ3 and fears that 2C will be passed around. This implies length/strength in diamonds, the only possible reason for passing on the first round with a good hand. A good hand? Yes. This is not a reopening situation, so West needs good cards to come in between two bidders. Another example: South West North East 1S Pass 1NT Pass 2H Dbl - takeout West has S-AJ97 H-3 D-K1073 C-AQ94. With that singleton heart he could not double or bid notrump on the first round. When the original response was two-over-one, however, a double only shows the suit doubled: South West North East 1S Pass 2C Pass 2D Dbl - business, showing good diamonds When opener's suit has been raised, a reopening double is for takeout, not business, even though it is not the first opportunity for doubling that suit: South West North East 1S Pass 2S Pass Pass Dbl - takeout West had insufficient values for a double of 1S. Playing East for some high cards on the bidding, he competes for the hand by doubling with S-4 H-J873 D-AJ87 C-K1093. It is unwise to double with less strength than this, since partner is allowed to pass with, say, four good spades and some outside defense. Bidding Notrump After Doubling A takeout double followed by a notrump bid shows too much strength for an original notrump overcall: South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 1S Pass 1NT The 1NT bid shows a hand that was too strong (i.e., 19-20 HCP) for an original 1NT overcall. With a hand such as S-92 H-AJ97 D-KQ10 C-AQ32, West must bid 1NT over 1D, not double. If you make a takeout double of 1D with S-A1032 H-K874 D-K3 C-AQ5, you must pass a 2C response. A 2NT bid would show at least 19 HCP. Perhaps a 1NT overcall is better, especially at match point scoring. Also see the chapter NOTRUMP OVERCALLS in the book "Defensive Bidding." When partner has made a jump response or a cue bid response, a minimum notrump bid does not show a hand too good for an original notrump overcall. The doubler must jump to show such a hand: South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 2D/2H/2S Pass 2NT - not good enough to overcall 1NT 3NT - too good for a 1NT overcall If West had values for a 1NT overcall, the only reason for doubling would be good major suit length, which he would reveal at this point. If the response to the double is 1NT, a raise to 2NT is okay with as little as 16 HCP. This does not show too much for a 1NT overcall, since the doubler may not have the stopper in opener's suit that is required for a notrump overcall. Notrump conventions do not apply when a takeout doubler bids notrump, even if partner has not bid: South West North East 1D Dbl 1H Pass Pass 1NT Pass 2C - natural bid If the doubler has 21-22 HCP, he follows with a jump to 2NT: South West North East 1C Dbl Pass 1D/1H/1S Pass 2NT But suppose the response to a double is a non-jump bid at the two level: South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 2C Pass ? Now the doubler must bid 2NT, which really ought to require more than 19 HCP, to show a strong notrump hand, and apparently must jump to 3NT (opposite a possible bust) if he wants to show 21 HCP. A sensible compromise is to say that a non-jump 2NT rebid shows 19-21 HCP, and a single jump to 3NT shows 22 HCP or more. These bids may get you too high, but that can't be helped. Takeout Double by an Overcaller An overcaller can make a takeout double on the next round, opposite a passing partner. This implies a 6-3-3-1 hand: South West North East 1C 1S 2C Pass Pass Dbl - takeout West has S-Q97632 H-AJ3 D-AQ2 C-3. She doesn't want to sell out to 2C, and a takeout double is the logical action with support in the unbid suits and poor spades. East will count on a six-card spade suit when deciding what to bid, so don't bid this way with 5-3-3-2 distribution unless the five-card suit is very strong. When the overcaller doubles opener's rebid of the same suit, he is making a two-way double that may be for business or takeout: South West North East 1H 1S Pass Pass 2H Dbl West may have S-AKJ98 H-AQ108 D-4 C-Q87 or S-K108732 H-4 D-AQ5 C-AQ4. East must figure out which sort of hand West has. When opener bids a new suit, the overcaller's double is for takeout if there is an unbid suit: South West North East 1D 1S Pass Pass 2C Dbl - takeout West has S-AQ1087 H-AJ74 D-A832 C- void, with which a first round double would be unwise in view of the void in clubs. South West North East 1S 2C 2D Pass 2H Dbl - business (no unbid suit) West has S-2 H-AQ109 D-52 C-K108732. He wants a heart lead against any contract played by North. Doubling 2H sends this message. Why not an original top-and-bottom cue bid? Perhaps the vulnerability was unfavorable. When advancer has bid a new suit, direct doubles (of RHO) are for business if the doubled suit has not been raised. South West North East 1C 1D 1H 1S 2C Dbl - business You can't double a suit bid on the left at the one or two level, however, unless partner has bid notrump: South West North East 1C 1D 1H 1S Pass Pass 2H Pass Pass Dbl - takeout: S-J2 H-532 D-AKJ73 C-A32 South West North East 1D 1H 1S 2C 2S Dbl - takeout: S-J93 H-AKJ32 D-AJ32 C-Q South West North East 1C 1D 2C 2S 3C Dbl - takeout: S-K H-AQJ8 D-KQJ76 C-J65 These doubles say, "Please bid again, but I have some defense if you pass." Perhaps these doubles should be called "optional" instead of "takeout" because the doubler usually has three trumps or he would have some other bid available, and the double is often passed. The doubler must be prepared for any bid, however. When advancer has raised, a double implies four cards in the fourth suit: South West North East 1C 1D 1S 2D 3C Dbl - takeout: S-J H-AQ87 D-KQ1083 C-A43 Although this double is takeout-oriented, East can pass with some defensive strength and relative shortness in West's suits. See the chapter ACTION DOUBLES for the meaning of doubles by the overcaller's partner. Takeout Double by the Opening Bidder The opening bidder can make a takeout double on the second round, but when partner has bid a double is usually for business: South West North East 1D 2C Pass Pass Dbl - takeout South West North East 1C Pass 1S 2H Dbl - business If opener has redoubled and partner has not acted, a subsequent double is takeout: South West North East 1C Pass Pass Dbl Rdbl 1S Pass Pass Dbl - takeout If North had bid 1D instead of passing the opening bid, South's double would be for business. There are some situations, however, when a double by the opening bidder is for takeout even if partner has bid. See the chapter ACTION DOUBLES. Responses to Takeout Doubles Responses to takeout doubles will not be covered here, since the subject is adequately treated in the bridge literature. There are a few special situations, however, that we will treat: -- For cue bid responses, see the chapters CUE BIDS IN TAKEOUT DOUBLE SITUATIONS and COMPETITIVE CUE BIDS in the book "Cue Bids." -- The weakness response. When holding a worthless hand opposite a takeout double, it is better to avoid a response that might excite partner into making some dangerous raise. Toward this end, a bid in the lowest unbid minor is often a good slow-down action, even when holding only three cards in the suit. For instance, partner doubles a 1S opening and you have S-32 H-8743 D-J864 C-J53. Rather than bid 2H or 2D, bid 2C. Partner might raise a heart response, or might bid 3C after either a 2H or 2D response. This is not a convention--2C may be passed--it is just common sense. -- Over a redouble, a jump takeout is preemptive, not strong. When partner doubles 1H and next had redoubles, jump to 2S with S-Q10873 H-54 D-J8762 C-3. With a good hand, as one might have if someone is psyching, just pass over the redouble and bid strongly later. Actually, any bid over a redouble tends to deny significant strength, even a cue bid or jump in notrump: South West North East 1H Dbl Rdbl 2H - S-8432 H-2 D-Q853 C-K843 2S - S-Q9832 H-654 D-Q87 C-J3 2NT - S-8 H-65 D-A9632 C-Q10854 Miscellaneous Auctions South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 2H - not forcing Pass 2S - forcing, in view of East's jump 2NT - not forcing The 2NT bid over a jump is like the same call after a cue bid response: a hand not good enough for a 1NT overcall (SAJ87 H-J93 D-AQ C-Q1087). If West had too much for a 1NT overcall, he should bid 3NT, not 2NT. South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 2H Pass 2S Pass 3H - not forcing 2NT - not forcing 3C/3S - forcing The 3C and 3S bids are forcing because of the jump response. West needs extra values to bid over 2H, so a pass of 3S (although this is a limit situation, strictly speaking) is not logical. South West North East 1D Dbl Pass 1H Pass 1NT Pass 2C/2D - natural, weak East probably has four hearts, a five-card minor, and a weak hand. South West North East 1C Dbl Pass Pass 1S Pass - not forcing The leave-in of a takeout double promises no strength outside the doubled suit, and does not promise further action if the opposition runs elsewhere. Also see chapter 4NT - BLACKWOOD OR NATURAL? in the book "Strong Bidding" and chapter DEFENSE VS PREEMPTIVE OPENINGS in the book "Countermeasures."