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Home > Tutorial > Bidding > Competitive Bidding > Double for take-out (continued)
 

 

 

 

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Double for take-out (continued)

P2.5  What about the other two players ?

The partner of the opener can bid perfectly normally as the double takes up no bidding space. With a rotten hand, do not attempt to rescue; this hand belongs to the opposition. With six points or more, respond normally using SYN.

The partner of the doubler has no obligation to bid if there has been an intervening bid. With 6+ points, after an intervening bid, bid naturally if your prospects look fair.

P2.6  If you are South after the auction shown below, you must find a bid.

1H * Pass ?

A pass by you could result in one heart, doubled, being made with overtricks, which would be very expensive. Don't forget that although the double was intended for take-out, a subsequent three passes turns it into a penalty double. As an example, 1H*, vulnerable, made, with two overtricks would cost  60 below the line at rubber, and 450 above the line. Cheaper to bid yourself and go off ! This frightening arithmetic is largely why inexpert partnerships avoid the double if they possibly can.

P2.7  After the auction shown, South has five options, three being commonplace and two being unusual.

1H * Pass ?

P2.7.1 Option One

S K 7 4 2
H 5 4 3
D 6 4 2
C 7 5 4
Even with a rotten hand, you must bid. Here you would respond one spade. Make the King of spades into a three, and you must still reply one spade. Make the King of spades into a small club, and you must still reply, either two clubs or (even!), one spade with a three-card suit.

P2.7.2 Option Two

S K 7 4 2
H 4 3 2
D K 4 3
C K 5 4
With a fair hand (8+ points), to show partner that you do not have rubbish, you must jump one level. Here you would respond two spades. Add another King or Queen here, and the hand would be worth three spades, encouraging partner to game. Remember that two players have already shown twelve points, so the odds are that you won't have much.

P2.7.3  Option Three

S J 3 2
H K Q 3 2
D 10 8 6
C K 4 2
A one no-trump response is reserved for 8-10 points with two covers in the suit bid. This bid is often used, mistakenly, as a cheap way out with a weak hand (0-7 points). Bad error, as it does, of course, show quite a strong hand.

P2.7.4  Option Four (Unusual)

S 8 5 3
H K J 4 3 2
D A 3
C J 8 6
A pass may be acceptable if you have five or more cards in opener's  suit and your side has the balance of the points. You must expect to take a large penalty.

P2.7.5 Option Five (Unusual)

S K J 3 2
H 4 2
D A Q 4
C K 4 3 2
With 13+ points, you should have game on somewhere. Indicate this to partner by bidding their suit (two hearts). This says nothing about hearts but is an unequivocal force to game.

 

If you've got this far, you've just worked through one of the most difficult set of  bids and responses in the game. Take a break and have a whisky, or a strong herbal tea, and then try this quiz to see how much you've absorbed, and whether the double will become a regular part of your game.
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Partner opens one heart at love all and right-hand opponent doubles. Your bid ?

Answer
S J 10 9 4
H 5 4 3 2
D A 5
C K Q 8