Takeout double

This convention is not alertable.

Takeout doubles are a commonly used convention for defensive bidding. When the other side has opened the bidding at a low level, the double is not useful as a natural bid and therefore is assigned as takeout, since the doubler's partner must take it out. Thus, most generally, any artificial double is a takeout double. The typical interpretation of a takeout double is "Partner, please pick an unbid suit." It is always important to consider the possible responses to a takeout double and decide if it really is the best action, particularly because it can often put the stronger hand on the board. The doubler must be ready to play in any suit the responder may pick (with the exception of the strong double).

There are a number of specific situations in which takeout doubles are used.

Convention

A double is for takeout if all of the following hold

  • the doubled bid is a natural suit bid through 4©
  • the doubler's partner has never bid or doubled

Otherwise, the double is for penalty.

In general, a takeout double shows

  • a strong, typically openable hand
  • length (3+ cards) in all unbid suits (with emphasis on the majors)
  • no appropriate overcall

However, favorable distribution is less important with stronger hands. With 18+ points, the hand is too strong for an overcall and should therefore double regardless of shape.

The takeout double is such a ubiquitous convention that it has many different applications. We will begin with the most common usage, and then expand to other usages.

Direct double of a one-of-a-suit opening

When RHO opens one of a suit, a double is for takeout and shows one of the following

  • 13+ points and at least 3 cards in each unbid suit and a shortage in the bid suit
  • 10+ points and a three-suited hand void or singleton in the opener's suit

With 4-3-3-3 shape, particularly with honors in the opened suit, pass with as many as 14 points (15 - 18 points with good stoppers may consider bidding 1NT)

With a good 5-card suit and up to 17 points, prefer to overcall (with more than 17 points double first then bid your own suit.

Responses after a 1-level opening is doubled

Responses to a takeout double of a 1-level opening
0-5 / 6-9 / 10-12 / 13-16 / 17+
6-card suit / double jump / jump / cue-bid
4-card suit / longest suit / in suit
enemy stopper / 1NT / 2NT / 3NT
after interference / pass / normal bids


The key to a takeout double is the response. Especially after a direct double of an opening, the partner has not had a chance to say anything, and it is important that the response give an indication of strength as well as shape.

Suit responses

  • With 0-9 points and a 6+ card suit, a double jump suit bid is preemptive (unless it is game)
  • With 0-9 points, bid the longest suit (with preference to majors) at the lowest level
  • With 10-12 points (invitational), jump in the longest suit
  • With 13+ points (or as few as 10 with 4-4 majors), cue-bid the enemy suit This bid is forcing.

Notrump responses

  • With 6-10 points, a stopper in the enemy suit, and no 4-card unbid major to show, bid 1NT
  • With 10-12 points (invitational), an enemy stopper, and no 4-card unbid major, bid 2NT
  • With 13-16 points (game-forcing) and a hand suitable for NT (stopper, no long majors), bid 3NT
  • With 17+ points, cue-bid

Passing

Rarely, with 5+ trump including three sure tricks, responder may pass to convert to a penalty double, but this should be avoided if possible

After a redouble

  • Pass indicates no preference and a weaker hand and is not a conversion to a penalty double.
  • Other responses are on.

After an intervening bid

  • Pass with 0-5 points
  • A new suit now shows 6-9 points (possibly fewer at the one-level)
  • Double is for penalty
  • Normal bids are on, including jump responses with 10-12 points if below game

Rebids by doubler

After a minimum suit response

Rebids after a takeout double and nonjump suit response
10-15 / 16-17 / 18 / 19-20 / 21 / 22 / 23+
5-card suit / pass / new suit (jump w/ 6) / cue-bid
4-card support / single raise / jump raise to 3
stopper(s) / other / nonjump 2NT / 1x jump 3NT
bids / nonjump 1NT / jump 2NT / 2x jump 3NT
  • Pass with 15 or fewer point, or even as many as 17 points if partner’s response is a misfit.
  • Single raise with 16-18 points and four-card support (slightly stronger if at the 3-level).
  • Jump raise to 3-level with 19-20 points and four-card support.
  • New 5-card suit with 18-20 points (may be weaker with an unbid 4-card major)
  • Jump shift with a 6-card suit and strong hand. This bid is natural and not forcing.
  • Notrump bids show very strong hands with enemy stopper
  • Nonjump 1NT = 18-20; Nonjump 2NT = 19-21; Single jump 3NT = 22+ (or 9 tricks)
  • Jump 2NT = 21-22; Double jump 3NT = 23+ (or 9 tricks)
  • Cue-bid originally doubled suit with 21+ points. This bid is artificial and forcing.
  • This bid does not promise a rebid so responder should jump with anything to show

After an invitational (jumping) response

  • Bid naturally to accept the invitation, or
  • Pass to reject

After a 1NT response

  • Bid 2NT to invite 3NT with 16-18 points
  • Sign off in game with 19+ points
  • Bid a five-card or longer suit (not forcing at 2-level, forcing at 3-level --??)
  • Cue-bid to invite game and suggest that responder name a suit
  • Pass

After a cue-bid response

  • Any natural bid, with preference to unbid 4-card majors
  • Jumps unnecessary since the auction is game-forcing