TAKEOUT DOUBLES
By Peter Rhead
The Takeout Double is a good way of getting multiple bids for the price of one. Double is a bid made by you after your right-hand opponent opens the bidding with a suit bid. Your Double means that you are short of their suit but you have support for the other three suits and competitive values in your hand (at least ten points). It is a good use of the Double in low-level bidding.
Guideline One: When the opponent’s opening is a one-level suit bid or pre-emptive two-bid, with your Double you guarantee support in the three unbid suits and ten-point strength or better.
Guideline Two: If the opponent’s opening bid is a minor suit, you promise four-four or better in the majors, (Spades and Hearts), as well as support for the third suit and ten points or better.
Guideline Three: If the opponent’s opening bid is a major suit, your double promises four-card support or better in the other major as well as support in the other two suits and ten points or better.
Guideline Four: To Double for Takeout, you or your partner have made no bid other than PASS.
For more complete information, check out “Takeout Doubles” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know P. 21
Next Week: Examples of when you and partner could use the Takeout Double
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com and I will try to include it in this column.
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