Responses to Take-out Doubles by Linda J Green

When partner makes a Take-out Double in the direct seat after the opponents open the bidding, he must have three very important requirements:
1. Shortage in the opening suit - two or less cards.
2. An opening hand 12 or more HCP
3. Tolerance for the 3 unbid suits (minimum 3 cards).

The direct seat is when the Left Hand opponent is undisclosed and not a passed hand.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 9 8 7 6
♥ K J 4 3
♦ 4 2
♣ 5 4 3

Q: 1 - What do you bid after partner makes a Take-out Double in the direct seat?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Double	Pass	?

A: 1♠. You are too weak to bid 1 NT which would guarantee 6 to 9 HCP. If partner asked for a suit , no matter how emaciated the suit may be, bid it! After all ,partner may have honors in the suit and an 8-card major suit is of great importance responding to a T/O double.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ J 3 2
♥ 9 8 7
♦ K J 5 4
♣ 9 5 3

Q: 2 - Opponent opens 1♦. What is your bid when partner makes a "Take-out Double" and you do not have a suit to bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Double	Pass	?

A: 2♣.When you are too weak to bid 1NT showing the ♦ stopper, we bid our lowest 3-card minor . This is to discourage partner from getting too excited if you should bid a 3- card major!! After all will partner want to play in a minor? No ways! So do it and do not worry, after all, you promised 0- 8 HCP !

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A 8 7 6 3
♥ 4 2
♦ K Q 7 6 5
♣ 8

Q: 3 - What do you bid after responder makes a weak bid after the double showing 9 trumps combined and 5-8 HCP?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Double	3♥*	?

*When we have 4-card support 5-9 HCP and a weak hand we preempt to block out the opponents.

A: 4 ♠. You have great shape and 9 -11 HCP . You are too strong to bid 3 ♠. Shape is everything and having a singleton improves your hand.
Use the "Rule of 14" as a guideline to help you make the correct decision at to when to jump or not?
Add up the length of the suit you wish to bid PLUS the number of HCP. 5 ♠ plus 9 HCP = 14- jump a level.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 3
♥ K 6 5 4 3
♦ 8 6 5 3 2
♣ 9

Q: 4 - What do you respond to partners "Take-out Double"?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Double	Pass	?

A: 2♥. We have a 5-card major suit which is preferable to a 5- card minor suit. However, if you are not sure whether to jump the bidding, let us apply the "Rule of 14" . Add up the length of the suit you wish to bid PLUS the number of HCP 5♥ plus 6HCP = 11 , we bid the lowest possible level.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 8 7
♥ K 7 6 5
♦ K J 4 3 2
♣ 7 5

Q: 5 - What do you bid after partner makes a "Take-out double"?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Double	Pass	?

A: 2 ♥. We prefer to bid a 4-card major over a 5-card minor NOW, as we may never get the opportunity to show it later. We are too weak to jump a level . We require 9-11 HCP or extreme shape.
Using the "Rule of 14 " is our guideline when we are uncertain whether to jump a level or not!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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