Things You'll Need:
- A well-lit and ventilated room
- A card-sized table
- Pens/pencils and paper for keeping score
- 2 standard decks of playing cards
- 4 enthusiastic players
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Step 1
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A TAKEOUT DOUBLE
1. The partner of the Doubler must not have made a previous call or Double of his own.
2. The "Takeout" call must be made at the first opportunity to double a given suit.
3. You must have an opening hand to double and no five-card suit of your own. You do not double with the standard 1 No Trump hand. -
Step 2
POSITION FOR DOUBLE
The usual situation for a Takeout Double is made by the FIRST defensive hand. If the RHO (right-hand opponent) opens with one heart and you have 13+ HCP and no five-card suit, you double in 2nd seat or 3rd seat (whichever applies). You are looking for a possible suit "fit" in the other major or NT (if your partner has a stopper or two in the opponent's suit). -
Step 3
Your double promises an opening hand. Distribution is often a factor. It also implies four-card support for at least one of the major suits. If your hand has seven or eight cards in the minor suits, you are better off bidding a four-card or five-card minor suit rather than doubling. (This is the rare exception to the five-card suit requirement for an overcall.)
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Step 4
STRENGTH IN THE OPPONENT'S BID SUIT
If your RHO opens with one of a major suit and you have an opening hand of your own with strength in that opponent's suit (four or more cards), you must PASS! The idea is to lay low and await developments. If partner enters the auction, you have possibilities for an NT contract or a set of the opponent's. -
Step 5
BASIC RESPONSES TO TAKEOUT DOUBLE
1. If your partner doubles an opponent's bid and then the partner of the opening bidder passes, you MUST bid in 4th position regardless of the strength of your hand. It is FORCED! With junk, you will bid your lowest ranking four-card suit (or three-card suit if you have no four-card suit).
2. If your four-card suit is the suit doubled, bid your weakest three-card suit.
3. With a bad hand, bid your longest suit (see note below)
4. With 8 to 10 HCP and no four or five-card major, bid 1 NT.
5. DO NOT go to the two level opposite your partner's double, unless you have 11+ HCP. -
Step 6
JUMP RESPONSE TO PARTNER'S DOUBLE
If your partner doubles and the next player passes, and you have an opening hand of your own, consider these options:
1. Always show a four-card major on the 1 level with a plan to jump bid depending on your partner's response.
2. With a balanced hand and NT distribution/HCP, bid 2 NT.
3. If you have a five-card major suit and the opponent has opened with one of a minor suit, jump to two of your major after partner's double.
4. If you have 13+ HCP with strength in the opponent's major suit opener, you must decide between a pass or a jump to 2 NT. Vulnerability is a factor here. -
Step 7
If your partner doubles in second seat and the next player bids in front of you, you are now relieved from answering. You may opt to bid on the two level, if you have a five-card suit and 9 or 10 HCP. If your partner opens the hand in first or second seat and the opponent in front of you makes a Takeout Double, REDOUBLE if your hand has 10 to 12 HCP. (Redoubles and Business or Penalty Doubles are covered in another of my articles.)
