A takeout double asks partner to choose a trump suit from the suits the opponents have not bid. Over an opening of one of a suit, double with about 12 or more points, shortness in the opener's suit and three or four cards in each unbid suit, above all the unbid majors. Partner must answer, and jumps with about 9-11.
The double solves a problem the overcall cannot: you have opening values but no five-card suit. Instead of guessing a suit, you let partner pick.
Takeout doubles are played almost the same way in Standard American, 2/1 and Acol.
What Does a Takeout Double Ask?
How does partner know your double is for takeout and not for penalty? In standard methods, a double is for takeout when:
- it is a double of a suit bid at a low level (usually up to the three level), and
- partner has not bid yet (a pass is fine).
The ideal shape is short in the opener's suit with support for everything else: after 1♥, a hand like 4-1-4-4 is perfect. With 4-2-4-3 it still works. With three small cards in a major you do not have, the double can go wrong, because partner will bid that major.
Count your points as if you were supporting partner: a singleton in the opener's suit adds value, because partner's trump suit will be one of the others. You can see what the double means in every system.
Answering Partner's Double
When partner doubles and the next player passes, you must bid, even with nothing. Partner wants you to name a suit; a pass would turn the double into a penalty double of their contract.
| Your hand | What to bid after 1♥, Double, Pass |
|---|---|
| 0-8 points | Your longest unbid suit at the cheapest level; prefer a major |
| 9-11 points | Jump in your suit: 2♠, or 3♣ / 3♦ |
| 12+ points | Bid game, or cue-bid 2♥ to ask partner to describe |
| 6-10, stopper in hearts | 1NT |
| 11-12, stopper | 2NT |
The only pass is with long, strong trumps in the opener's suit, such as ♥KQ1098, where you expect to defeat them. It is rare.
If your right-hand opponent bids after the double, you are no longer forced to bid. A bid now is called a free bid and shows a little something, about 6 or more.
The Strong Hand That Doubles First
The double is also the start for any hand that is too strong for an overcall, about 18 or more, whatever the shape.
- Double, then bid your own suit: a good suit and about 18 or more. It tells partner that a simple overcall would have undersold the hand.
- Double, then bid notrump: about 19-21 balanced, because a direct 1NT overcall shows 15-18.
After partner's cheapest answer, the doubler with a minimum (12-15) passes. With about 16-18 and support, the doubler raises partner one level; with more, the doubler bids game.
Watch It in a Deal
East opens 1♥ and you are South with ideal shape for a takeout double.
You double, partner jumps to show 9-11, and you bid game.
You hold 13 HCP with four spades, four diamonds, four clubs and a singleton heart: double. Partner holds 10 HCP and five spades, so partner jumps to 2♠ to show 9-11 (see what the 2♠ jump means in every system).
Now you count as a supporter: 13 HCP plus 3 for the singleton heart is 16, opposite partner's 9-11. That is game: bid 4♠. Double-dummy analysis gives 4♠ by North eleven tricks. A simple 1♠ answer from partner would have shown 0-8, and you would have stopped short of a game that makes with an overtrick.
What to Keep in Mind
Rule of ThumbDouble for takeout with opening values, shortness in their suit and support for the unbid suits. As partner, never pass: bid your best unbid suit, and jump with 9-11 so the doubler knows you have values.
Practice: Takeout Doubles
West opens 1♦, partner doubles, East passes. Your bid?
West opens 1♦, partner doubles for takeout and East passes. What do you bid?
Your hand:
To read more about doubles of every kind, see takeout doubles and the overview in doubles in bridge. For practice on real auctions, the BridgeDummy Bidding Room lets you double, answer doubles and compete against EPBot robots on random deals.
Previous lesson: Lesson 22: Overcalls. Next lesson: Lesson 24: The Opening Lead. Full course: Bridge lessons for beginners.