BridgeHands

Google BridgeHands

 HOME  Encyclopedia  Newsletter  Laws  Products  Services  Reviews  Tournaments  Blog  Training  Practice   HELP
 You are at:

 

Takeout Double - A double demanding partner to make a call in a new strain, made as a competitive bid to either win the auction or make it more difficult for opponents to make a higher level contract.  The Takeout Double was independently created by Charles Patton and Bryant McCampbell in 1912. 

Takeout Double - Part 1
This text will be replaced

 

More videos on Takeout Double:
  Takeout Doubles:                                  Blog  Part 1   Part 2   BridgeHands Members - login for Part 3
  Takeout Double Responses:                  Blog  Part 1                BridgeHands Members - login for Part 2  
  Takeout Double Bidding Continuations: Blog  Part 1    Part 2   BridgeHands Members - login for Part 3

Factors to consider when making a Takeout Double after Right Hand Opponent opens the auction include:

1.

Lacking a biddable 5+ card suit

2.

Less than opening values using dummy distribution point hand evaluation

3.

Hand shape is 3+ cards in unbid suits unless maximum values (see below)

4.

Not suitable for a Notrump overcall - Notrump opening values plus 2 stoppers

5.

Reasonable auction level based on vulnerability

6.

Preferably has 4 cards in the opposite major if opponent opens in a major suit or 3 cards with two honors in the major

7.

Rank of opponent suit - Takeout of Spades requires more points since advancing partner must bid at a higher level

8.

Vulnerability - more with adverse vulnerability, less with favorable vulnerability

9.

In balancing (passout) seat, subtract 3 points from normal requirements ("borrow a King")

10.

Other: see Environmental Factors

Generally, the point threshold for making a Takeout Double:
 

1.

1 level

12+ with opponent suit doubleton, 11+ with singleton, 10+ with void

2.

2 level

14+ ...

3.

3 level

16+ ...

4.

Double followed by 1N

Above natural 1N opener (i.e., 18-19 by most players)

5.

Double followed by new suit

18+ and very good 5+ card suit (except 2D over Clubs when playing Equal Level Conversion Doubles)

6.

Double followed by a raise of partner's first step suit bid

4+ cards in suit and:
    If playing preemptive/competitive: 12-15 points
    If playing solid constructive: 17-18 points

7.

Double followed by a jump in partner's first step suit bid:

19-21 points

8.

Double followed by Double, followed by new suit

Game forcing (unusual)

9.

Double followed by a Cuebid

22+ points, game forcing - contract pending

   Responder's actions in response to Takeout Double (remember to subtract 3 points if doubler
was in the balancing (passout) seat:
 

1.

First step mandatory

0-8 distribution points (declarer)

2.

First step freebid

5-8 distribution points (declarer)

3.

1N

8-10 points with opponent suit stoppers or length and no biddable suit

4.

2N

11-12 points with opponent suit stoppers or length and no biddable suit

5.

3N

13-15 points with opponent suit stoppers or length and no biddable suit

6.

Second step (jump)

9-11 distribution points (declarer)

7.

Double jump (three level):

Less than game-going values in responder's hand (typically 8-10 HCP) with a 6+ card long major suit

8.

Pass

Rarely convert to penalty, likely holding a 6+ card opponent suit - doubler should lead trump and deplete opener of trump

9.

Game jump or cuebid:

12+ distribution points (declarer)

Also see Doubles, Negative Double, Responsive Double, Books on Doubles

HOME  Encyclopedia  Newsletter  Laws  Products  Services  Reviews  Tournaments  Blog  Training Practice Links HELP
Contacts: Sales  Support  Reviews  Q&A    Disclaimer    Privacy    © 2005 BridgeHands   Updated 01/22/11