More Responses to Take-Out Doubles in the Balancing Seat by Linda J Green

When the bidding has passed around to you at a low level contract and they FIT , it is our responsibility to BALANCE :either by bidding or making a Take-Out Double. After all, if they fit - we fit! We are bidding on the premise that our partner has values if the opponents are playing at the two-level.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ K J 5 4
♥ Q 3 2
♦ A 7 6 5
♣ 4 3

Q: 1 - What do you do in the balancing seat when the opponents have found a fit at the two- level?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	1♥	Pass	2♥
Pass	Pass	?

A: Double. If they fit we fit! Just balance and expect partner to have spades or diamonds as the opener did not bid 1 spade over 1 heart.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A Q 8
♥ K 5 4 3
♦ Q 6
♣ J 8 7 6

Q: 2 - What do you bid after partner balances with a Take-Out Double and the opener rebids 1NT?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	Pass	Double	1 No-Trump
?

A: Double. Penalties! Opener shows 18/19 HCP and if you add up the balancing hand in the 4th seat which shows a minimum 10HCP plus 12HCP = 22HCP . Opener has 18 HCP = 40 . As we have the majority of the points all doubles of No trumps are penalty doubles !

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 10 9 6 5
♥ Q 6 5
♦ A 4 3 2
♣ 8 7 6

Q: 3 - What do you bid when partner balances with a Take-Out Double over 1 No Trump?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	Pass
1♦	Pass	1 No-Trump	Pass
Pass	Double	Pass	?

A: 2♠. This time it is NOT a penalty double! Partner is balancing as the responder denied either major suit. Although partner is a passed hand, balances to show tolerance for the 3 unbid suits.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 6 4
♥ A 9 8 7
♦ J 4 3 2
♣ Q 7

Q: 4 - What do you bid after partner passed originally and now balances with 2 No Trump?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♠	Pass	Pass
2 No-Trump*	Pass	?

* 2NT shows the minor suits - either 4/4 or 5/4 in the minors.

A: 3♦. As partner does not have tolerance for the 3 unbid suits and obviously not many hearts, makes a balancing "Take-Out " bid of 2NT to show at least 8/9 cards in the minors.
Remember, this was a passed hand and if they fit we fit!!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 8 7
♥ 9 5 4 3
♦ K J 4 3
♣ 9 7 6

Q: 5 - What do you bid after partner makes a Take-Out Double twice?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Double	3♣*	Pass	Pass
Double	Pass	?

* Preemptive - weak hand shows 5 clubs.

A: 3♥. As long as the opponents have agreed the same suit all doubles are "TAKE-OUT", never penalties. When the advancer has not bid, it is still asking for a suit! We cannot pass! Exception: unless you have length in their trump suit and good trumps, one can convert the double into penalties by passing the second double.

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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