The take-out Double by Paul Bowyer

When the opponents open the bidding it can be difficult to join in the fun and bid. To overcall you should have a good suit - the more so if you are entering the fray at the two-level.

One way of getting involved is via a take-out Double. A Double of an opponent's bid says that you are short in that suit and you have support for the other three suits. It also says that you have the values to open the bidding... more or less.

The more suitable your hand is in terms of shape the more inclined you should be to enter the auction. Conversely, the less suitable your shape is the more inclined you should be to keep schtum.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 5
♥ A J 8 4
♦ 10 7
♣ Q 9 2

Q: 1 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: Double. A classic take-out Double. You are short in their suit (Diamonds) and can support the other three suits. You are especially keen on the majors and have four cards in each of those. Whatever suit partner chooses this dummy will not disappoint.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 5
♥ A J 8 4
♦ 10 7
♣ Q 9 2

Q: 2 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
?

A: Pass. When the opponents bid your best suit it is almost always best to Pass (and look inscrutable). Doubling just because you have an opening bid is exasperatingly foolish. If partner bids Diamonds (as he surely will) where are you going now?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 5
♥ A J 8 4
♦ 10 9 6 3
♣ 9

Q: 3 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
?

A: Double. You may only have 11 points but you are beautifully shape-suitable. Yes, you would not have opened the bidding with this hand but there is nothing wrong with making a take-out Double. After all, you are offering partner three suits, each with four-card support.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 5
♥ A J 8 4
♦ Q 9 6 3
♣ 9

Q: 4 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: Pass. You may be frustrated but Doubling with a singleton Club is fraught with danger. Pass for now - there may be an opportunity to bid later. You should not think of overcalling on a four-card suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9
♥ A J 8
♦ 10 7 4 2
♣ K 9 2

Q: 5 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Pass. Yes, you have 14 points. So what? A stubby 4.3.3.3 hand should not be entering the auction at this stage.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 6

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 2
♥ A 8
♦ J 7 4 2
♣ K 9 2

Q: 6 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Double. Now (contrast this with the previous question) you have just about a perfect hand to enter the auction; a 4.4.3.2 pattern with shortage in the suit on your right. You have four cards in the other major (an important consideration) and sufficient values to bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 7

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9
♥ A J 8 4 2
♦ 10
♣ Q 9 3 2

Q: 7 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: 1♥. Yes, you have shortage in Diamonds and support for the other three suits but it is better to mention a five-card major if you have one, especially with only three Spades. Doubling might cause you to miss an important 5-3 Heart fit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 8

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 5
♥ A J 8 4
♦ K 10
♣ Q 9 2

Q: 8 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: 1NT. With a balanced 15-17 points (and a healthy stopper or two in Hearts) it is better to overcall 1NT and describe your hand than it is to make a take-out Double and agonise what to do over partner's probable 2♦ response. You are too strong to Pass 1♥.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 9

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9
♥ A J 8 4
♦ 10
♣ Q 9 8 3 2

Q: 9 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
?

A: Double. You have to bid on this hand and Double is the most flexible call. True, you have five Clubs, but who cares about a minor? It is often better to overcall 1♥ or 1♠ when you have a five-card suit but that doesn't apply when your long suit is Clubs or Diamonds.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 10

Your Hand
♠ Q 2
♥ 8 5 2
♦ A K 8 4
♣ A Q 5 2

Q: 10 - You are South. The opponents are in on the act, opening the bidding. Should you act or not? If so, with what?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
?

A: Pass. Hideous hand to hold but that's the way it is sometimes. You can't Double with only two Spades in your hand (guess which suit partner will bid?), overcalling in a four-card suit at the two-level is just not on in any circles and bidding No-trumps with no semblance of a Heart stopper is asking for trouble. Sometimes No Bid is the best bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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