Lesson 8C
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
A takeout double is a low-level conventional call of "Double" over an opponent's bid as a request for partner to bid his best of the unbid suits. The most common takeout double is after an opponent's opening bid of one of a suit where the double shows a hand with opening values, support for all three unbid suits (at least three cards in each) and shortness in the suit doubled (preferably, no more than two). Normally, the partner of the doubler must bid his best suit but may pass if (a) his right hand opponent intervenes or (b) on the more rare occasions when his hand is such that he wishes to convert the takeout double to a penalty double.
Takeout Doubles Convention
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Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
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Lesson 4
8/26/2014
With hand #1, you pass with 4 HCP. It becomes very difficult for you with hands 2 and 3, while you have 12 HCP. In first seat you can bid 1 diamond with hand 1 and 2. However it becomes very difficult to take action when RHO opponent open’s the bidding. With #2 you can not bid you do not have the right shape. With hand #3, you would normally bid 2 diamonds when holding 5. But this diamond suit is poor and therefore you should not overcall. These hands fulfill your first option is to pass.
Takeout Doubles Convention
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Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Your 2nd option is to overcall when holding the right hand. With hand #1, you should overcall 1 spade holding the above hand, 5 good spades and at least 8 HCP when overcalling at the 1 level. With hand #2, you need 5 in the suit and at least 10 to 11 HCP. Remember you must always overcall with a good suit.
Takeout Doubles Convention
4
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Your 3rd option is to preempt. However you need a 6+ card suit 7 or less HCP and with favorable vulnerability.
Takeout Doubles Convention
5
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
In previous lessons, we saw one of the ways you can compete when an opponent opens the bidding — by using the overcall. To overcall, you need a five-card or longer suit and approximately the values for an opening bid. We will look at another way to compete. What would you do with this hand if you were the dealer? (Open 1♣.) Suppose, however, the opponent on your right is the dealer and opens 1♦. What are your thoughts? The advantage of the double is that it doesn’t take up any bidding room. Partner can still bid 1♥, 1♠ or 2♣, depending on the suit partner prefers. Used in this sense, the double is called a takeout double. It asks partner to take the double out by bidding one of the other suits. In previous lessons, we discussed using a penalty double when we don’t think the opponents can make their contract. We say ‘double.’ How does partner know when we mean it as a takeout double and when we mean it as a penalty double? We have to have some agreement with our partner.
Takeout Doubles Convention
6
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Doubling for takeout The overcall is used when you want to compete and you have a suit to show partner. Another way to compete is to use the takeout double. This double tells partner you want to compete but asks partner to choose the strain. In order for a double to be for takeout: 1. Neither the doubler nor doubler’s partner have previously bid (previous passes are okay). 2. The opposing partnership has bid either one or two suits (notrump is not a suit). 3. It is either the doubler’s first or second turn to bid. Otherwise, a double is for penalty. Requirements for a takeout double To make a takeout double, you need support for all of the unbid suits, ideally four-card support, especially in the unbid major suit(s). You also need at least the strength for an opening bid (12 or more total points). However, when valuing your hand, you use dummy points. The takeout doubler also can have a different type of hand – a hand with 18+ total points which is too strong for a simple overcall.
Takeout Doubles Convention
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Lesson 4
8/26/2014
A takeout double of RHO’s 1 bid promises approximately an opening bid. The exact requirement depends on distribution and level. Distributional, the basic requirement is to have at least 3 cards in each of the unbid suits. However, this is not necessarily sufficient to make a double correct. The ideal distribution is 4-4-4-1 with a singleton in the opponents’ suit. If you have this shape, the chances are good that partner has a good fit with you (i.e. at least 8 cards). With this shape, you can double with as few as 10 HCP, if the opening bid is 1!. The higher the level, the more points you need: about 2 points for each additional level of bidding. So if you double 4!, you need at least 16 HCP with perfect shape. (More on doubling preempts later). Also, note that a double of 1“ should have a bit more strength than a double of 1!. If you double 1!, partner is guaranteed to be able to show his suit at the one level. But if you double 1", partner has to go to the 2 level. If your distribution is flatter, you need more strength. What other distributions are OK? 4432: fine, but you need a tad more HCP than with 4441. • 4423 (i.e. doubleton in unbid suit). Generally: do not double. The only exception that some experts would make is with a doubleton in an unbid minor. If partner bids your doubleton, you hope he has a 5-card suit. • 4333: Even more strength needed (around 14 HCP). Be careful about doubling with this shape. With a stopper in their suit and 15-18, you can overcall 1NT. • 3334: the worst. Tend to pass regardless of strength unless you can overcall 1NT. • 5431: good distribution, but you also have the option to overcall. See below. • 5332: Usually right to overcall since 1 suit is much longer than the others. Takeout Doubles Convention
8
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Usually it’s better to overcall than double with a 5-card or longer suit, particularly a major. But if you have a very strong hand with a good suit, like the hand above you need to take stronger action to make sure the hand doesn’t get passed out. In the old days, you could bid 2 diamonds over an opening 1 bid to show this hand. As bidding evolved, people realized that these strong jump overcalls were rare and it was more valuable to play preemptive jump overcalls. The way to handle these hands is to double first, then bid your suit at your next opportunity. How strong do you have to be to double and then bid a new suit? Very strong. At least 18 points or equivalent distribution Some people overdo this.
Takeout Doubles Convention
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Lesson 4
8/26/2014
“Our agreement is that a double is for takeout if neither you nor partner has made a call other than pass on your first or second turn to bid and the contract is a partscore in a suit. Otherwise, it’s a penalty double.” While this doesn’t cover all possible agreements, it’s a sound starting point. It’s not really necessary to get involved in delayed doubles or doubles of 1NT opening bids. Ask the students why it wouldn’t be a good idea to double for penalty at a low level — the opponents will be warned and might run to another suit, you may not defeat the contract, etc. Conclusion “A double can have two distinct meanings. A double of a partscore contract when neither you nor partner has bid is for takeout. Otherwise, it’s for penalty.”
Takeout Doubles Convention
10
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
To enter the auction after one of your opponents has opened the bidding, you can overcall or double. Don’t forget 1NT can be an overcall if you have the right hand — balanced with 15 to 18 HCP and a stopper in the opponent’s suit. There is one other type of hand to think about. Remember, our overcalls are based upon a fivecard suit with 8 to16 HCP (10-17 total points). But what happens if your hand is 18 total points with a five-card suit and not suitable for a takeout double? To accommodate this type of hand, we will begin with a takeout double and then name our suit after the advancer bids. By starting with a takeout double and then naming your own suit, you show a hand that is stronger than a simple overcall. You may not remember to overcall 1NT with the third hand. Point out how much more descriptive this bid is than making a takeout double, especially with only three card support for two of the unbid suits. The students should understand the reasons for passing with the last hand. Conclusion When an opponent opens the bidding and you have an opening bid, you can compete with an overcall if you have a five-card or longer suit. If you have support for all of the unbid suits, you can make a takeout double. With 15 to 18 HCP, a balanced hand, and strength in the opponent’s suit, you can overcall 1NT. If your hand doesn’t fit any of this criteria, you should pass. By making a takeout double and then bidding a new suit, you show a hand too good for a single overcall (18 or more total points).
Takeout Doubles Convention
11
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
1: Double. North has an ideal hand for a takeout double – four-card support for whichever suit South chooses as trumps. If South has only a four-card suit to bid, the partnership will be in an eight-card fit. The North hand is worth 16 points – 13 high-card point plus 3 dummy points for the singleton diamond. North needs an opening bid or better since South may have no points at all – and may have to bid at the two level if South prefers clubs as the trump suit. 2: Double. The hand is less ideal since there is only three-card support for clubs. The hand is also worth only 14 points – 13 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. However, a takeout double is the best way to get the partnership competing in the auction. If South picks hearts or spades as trumps, North will put down four-card support in the dummy. If South picks clubs, North still has threecard support and, besides, South may have five or more clubs, so the partnership should be in a reasonable trump fit. 3: Double. North has support for all the unbid suits. Although North has only 9 high-card points, North can add 5 dummy points for the diamond void, making the hand worth enough for a takeout double. The double shows three suits at once. 4: Pass. North does have support for the unbid suits. However, the hand is only worth 10 points – 9 high card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. The hand isn’t strong enough for a direct takeout double of 1♦.
Takeout Doubles Convention
12
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
5: Double. North has support for the unbid suits and 14 points – 13 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. 6: Pass. North still has 13 high-card points – but can’t dummy points for shortness in an unbid suit. North has support for hearts but doesn’t have support for diamonds – one of the unbid suits – and has only threecard support for clubs. The hand is unsuitable for a takeout double and there is no five-card suit to overcall. With no suitable competitive action, North should pass for now, even with 13 points. North doesn’t mind defending with spades as the trump suit and may get an opportunity to enter the auction later. 7: 1♠. Although North does have some support for hearts and clubs, North has a definite preference for spades as the trump suit. An overcall of 1♠ is more descriptive than a takeout double. 8: If East opens 1♦, South passes, and West responds 1♥. What call does North make? A. Double. A takeout double can be made after both opponents have bid. North has support for the two unbid suits in this case, spades and clubs. North has 16 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. North’s double asks South to choose either spades or clubs as the trump suit.
Takeout Doubles Convention
13
Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
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Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
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8/26/2014
A takeout double is a low-level conventional call of "Double" over an opponent's bid as a request for partner to bid his best of the unbid suits. The most common takeout double is after an opponent's opening bid of one of a suit where the double shows a hand with opening values, support for all three unbid suits (at least three cards in each) and shortness in the suit doubled (preferably, no more than two). Normally, the partner of the doubler must bid his best suit but may pass if (a) his right hand opponent intervenes or (b) on the more rare occasions when his hand is such that he wishes to convert the takeout double to a penalty double.
Takeout Doubles Convention
1
Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
2
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
With hand #1, you pass with 4 HCP. It becomes very difficult for you with hands 2 and 3, while you have 12 HCP. In first seat you can bid 1 diamond with hand 1 and 2. However it becomes very difficult to take action when RHO opponent open’s the bidding. With #2 you can not bid you do not have the right shape. With hand #3, you would normally bid 2 diamonds when holding 5. But this diamond suit is poor and therefore you should not overcall. These hands fulfill your first option is to pass.
Takeout Doubles Convention
3
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Your 2nd option is to overcall when holding the right hand. With hand #1, you should overcall 1 spade holding the above hand, 5 good spades and at least 8 HCP when overcalling at the 1 level. With hand #2, you need 5 in the suit and at least 10 to 11 HCP. Remember you must always overcall with a good suit.
Takeout Doubles Convention
4
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Your 3rd option is to preempt. However you need a 6+ card suit 7 or less HCP and with favorable vulnerability.
Takeout Doubles Convention
5
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
In previous lessons, we saw one of the ways you can compete when an opponent opens the bidding — by using the overcall. To overcall, you need a five-card or longer suit and approximately the values for an opening bid. We will look at another way to compete. What would you do with this hand if you were the dealer? (Open 1♣.) Suppose, however, the opponent on your right is the dealer and opens 1♦. What are your thoughts? The advantage of the double is that it doesn’t take up any bidding room. Partner can still bid 1♥, 1♠ or 2♣, depending on the suit partner prefers. Used in this sense, the double is called a takeout double. It asks partner to take the double out by bidding one of the other suits. In previous lessons, we discussed using a penalty double when we don’t think the opponents can make their contract. We say ‘double.’ How does partner know when we mean it as a takeout double and when we mean it as a penalty double? We have to have some agreement with our partner.
Takeout Doubles Convention
6
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Doubling for takeout The overcall is used when you want to compete and you have a suit to show partner. Another way to compete is to use the takeout double. This double tells partner you want to compete but asks partner to choose the strain. In order for a double to be for takeout: 1. Neither the doubler nor doubler’s partner have previously bid (previous passes are okay). 2. The opposing partnership has bid either one or two suits (notrump is not a suit). 3. It is either the doubler’s first or second turn to bid. Otherwise, a double is for penalty. Requirements for a takeout double To make a takeout double, you need support for all of the unbid suits, ideally four-card support, especially in the unbid major suit(s). You also need at least the strength for an opening bid (12 or more total points). However, when valuing your hand, you use dummy points. The takeout doubler also can have a different type of hand – a hand with 18+ total points which is too strong for a simple overcall.
Takeout Doubles Convention
7
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
A takeout double of RHO’s 1 bid promises approximately an opening bid. The exact requirement depends on distribution and level. Distributional, the basic requirement is to have at least 3 cards in each of the unbid suits. However, this is not necessarily sufficient to make a double correct. The ideal distribution is 4-4-4-1 with a singleton in the opponents’ suit. If you have this shape, the chances are good that partner has a good fit with you (i.e. at least 8 cards). With this shape, you can double with as few as 10 HCP, if the opening bid is 1!. The higher the level, the more points you need: about 2 points for each additional level of bidding. So if you double 4!, you need at least 16 HCP with perfect shape. (More on doubling preempts later). Also, note that a double of 1“ should have a bit more strength than a double of 1!. If you double 1!, partner is guaranteed to be able to show his suit at the one level. But if you double 1", partner has to go to the 2 level. If your distribution is flatter, you need more strength. What other distributions are OK? 4432: fine, but you need a tad more HCP than with 4441. • 4423 (i.e. doubleton in unbid suit). Generally: do not double. The only exception that some experts would make is with a doubleton in an unbid minor. If partner bids your doubleton, you hope he has a 5-card suit. • 4333: Even more strength needed (around 14 HCP). Be careful about doubling with this shape. With a stopper in their suit and 15-18, you can overcall 1NT. • 3334: the worst. Tend to pass regardless of strength unless you can overcall 1NT. • 5431: good distribution, but you also have the option to overcall. See below. • 5332: Usually right to overcall since 1 suit is much longer than the others. Takeout Doubles Convention
8
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
Usually it’s better to overcall than double with a 5-card or longer suit, particularly a major. But if you have a very strong hand with a good suit, like the hand above you need to take stronger action to make sure the hand doesn’t get passed out. In the old days, you could bid 2 diamonds over an opening 1 bid to show this hand. As bidding evolved, people realized that these strong jump overcalls were rare and it was more valuable to play preemptive jump overcalls. The way to handle these hands is to double first, then bid your suit at your next opportunity. How strong do you have to be to double and then bid a new suit? Very strong. At least 18 points or equivalent distribution Some people overdo this.
Takeout Doubles Convention
9
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
“Our agreement is that a double is for takeout if neither you nor partner has made a call other than pass on your first or second turn to bid and the contract is a partscore in a suit. Otherwise, it’s a penalty double.” While this doesn’t cover all possible agreements, it’s a sound starting point. It’s not really necessary to get involved in delayed doubles or doubles of 1NT opening bids. Ask the students why it wouldn’t be a good idea to double for penalty at a low level — the opponents will be warned and might run to another suit, you may not defeat the contract, etc. Conclusion “A double can have two distinct meanings. A double of a partscore contract when neither you nor partner has bid is for takeout. Otherwise, it’s for penalty.”
Takeout Doubles Convention
10
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
To enter the auction after one of your opponents has opened the bidding, you can overcall or double. Don’t forget 1NT can be an overcall if you have the right hand — balanced with 15 to 18 HCP and a stopper in the opponent’s suit. There is one other type of hand to think about. Remember, our overcalls are based upon a fivecard suit with 8 to16 HCP (10-17 total points). But what happens if your hand is 18 total points with a five-card suit and not suitable for a takeout double? To accommodate this type of hand, we will begin with a takeout double and then name our suit after the advancer bids. By starting with a takeout double and then naming your own suit, you show a hand that is stronger than a simple overcall. You may not remember to overcall 1NT with the third hand. Point out how much more descriptive this bid is than making a takeout double, especially with only three card support for two of the unbid suits. The students should understand the reasons for passing with the last hand. Conclusion When an opponent opens the bidding and you have an opening bid, you can compete with an overcall if you have a five-card or longer suit. If you have support for all of the unbid suits, you can make a takeout double. With 15 to 18 HCP, a balanced hand, and strength in the opponent’s suit, you can overcall 1NT. If your hand doesn’t fit any of this criteria, you should pass. By making a takeout double and then bidding a new suit, you show a hand too good for a single overcall (18 or more total points).
Takeout Doubles Convention
11
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
1: Double. North has an ideal hand for a takeout double – four-card support for whichever suit South chooses as trumps. If South has only a four-card suit to bid, the partnership will be in an eight-card fit. The North hand is worth 16 points – 13 high-card point plus 3 dummy points for the singleton diamond. North needs an opening bid or better since South may have no points at all – and may have to bid at the two level if South prefers clubs as the trump suit. 2: Double. The hand is less ideal since there is only three-card support for clubs. The hand is also worth only 14 points – 13 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. However, a takeout double is the best way to get the partnership competing in the auction. If South picks hearts or spades as trumps, North will put down four-card support in the dummy. If South picks clubs, North still has threecard support and, besides, South may have five or more clubs, so the partnership should be in a reasonable trump fit. 3: Double. North has support for all the unbid suits. Although North has only 9 high-card points, North can add 5 dummy points for the diamond void, making the hand worth enough for a takeout double. The double shows three suits at once. 4: Pass. North does have support for the unbid suits. However, the hand is only worth 10 points – 9 high card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. The hand isn’t strong enough for a direct takeout double of 1♦.
Takeout Doubles Convention
12
Lesson 4
8/26/2014
5: Double. North has support for the unbid suits and 14 points – 13 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. 6: Pass. North still has 13 high-card points – but can’t dummy points for shortness in an unbid suit. North has support for hearts but doesn’t have support for diamonds – one of the unbid suits – and has only threecard support for clubs. The hand is unsuitable for a takeout double and there is no five-card suit to overcall. With no suitable competitive action, North should pass for now, even with 13 points. North doesn’t mind defending with spades as the trump suit and may get an opportunity to enter the auction later. 7: 1♠. Although North does have some support for hearts and clubs, North has a definite preference for spades as the trump suit. An overcall of 1♠ is more descriptive than a takeout double. 8: If East opens 1♦, South passes, and West responds 1♥. What call does North make? A. Double. A takeout double can be made after both opponents have bid. North has support for the two unbid suits in this case, spades and clubs. North has 16 high-card points plus 1 dummy point for the doubleton diamond. North’s double asks South to choose either spades or clubs as the trump suit.
Takeout Doubles Convention
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Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
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Lesson 4
Takeout Doubles Convention
8/26/2014
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