Takeout Doubles by Matthias Huberschwiller

In this quiz, we will be looking at the takeout double. What is it?

When an opponent has opened, and you have a hand with points but no long suit, you can't bid a minor, as you would do as opener.

If your hand is not suitable for No-Trump (not enough points, or no stopper in their suit), you might want to bid anyway. That's what the takeout double is for.

It says "I have points (at least an opener), I am short in their suit, and have support for all of the three remaining suits (at least three cards)".

Let's see some examples.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: Double - This is a perfect example of a takeout double, 4-4-4-1 distribution with an opener. You like whichever suit partner might pick.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q 6 2
♥ 8 2
♦ K Q J
♣ A 9 6 2

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Double - The distribution is less perfect than the first hand, but it's still good for a double. You can't bid 1NT without a stopper in their suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q
♥ K J 9 6
♦ K 8 6
♣ J 7 6 2

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: Pass - Passing over an opener does not say "I don't have points" but "I don't have a bid".

Here, you have a lot of points, but no available bid. You can't bid your Hearts with only four cards, and you don't have enough points for 1NT. You definitely can't double with only two Spades.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A J 6 2
♥ K J 9 6 2
♦ A 6 3
♣ 7

Q: 4 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: 1♥ - Bidding a five-card major takes priority over a takeout double. If you double, you will never find a 5-3 Heart fit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 7 2
♥ A Q 3
♦ K 10 9 6
♣ A Q J 3

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
?

A: Double - Some people think that a takeout double of a major always shows four cards in the other major.

It's best if you have four cards in the other major, but it's not an obligation. Three cards is a minimum. What else would you do here? You're not going to pass, are you?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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