Takeout Doubles

Quizes from the series of articles by Larry Cohen published in Bridge Bulletin January - December 2022.
Consider buying his book Larry Teaches Doubles or other books and webinars.

Action after partner’s direct seat takeout double:

Pass
Usually a mistake; should be at least five good trumps in their suit and a desire to defend.
Non-jump in a suit
0–8 and four or more cards (rarely three if stuck).
Single jump in a suit
9–12 and four or more cards.
Double-jump in a suit
Highly invitational (example: 1♦–Dbl–Pass–3♥). This is somewhat superfluous and rarely used (some even define it as weak with a long suit).
Jump to game
Good hand (roughly opening bid strength). Usually five or more cards and a belief that this is the correct contract.
Cuebid
Strong hand, unsure where to play.
1NT
6–10 balanced with their suit stopped (usually denies four cards in an unbid major).
2NT
11–12 balanced with their suit stopped (usually denies four cards in an unbid major).
3NT
13–15 balanced with their suit stopped (usually denies four cards in an unbid major).

♠KQ107 ♥AJ98 ♦J765 ♣2
1♣ -

Double. Perfect.

♠J2 ♥K876 ♦A765 ♣A102
1♣ -

Pass. You can’t support spades. Don’t overcall in a lousy four-card suit..

♠KJ2 ♥KQ10 ♦J76 ♣AQ108
1♣ -

1NT. A 1NT opening with clubs stopped.

♠AQ1076 ♥A43 ♦32 ♣Q76
1♦ -

1♠. The five-card major is the main priority.

♠K2 ♥J654 ♦AK2 ♣Q1087
1♦ -

Pass. You don’t have support for spades.

♠AQ10 ♥AQJ ♦54 ♣J8765
1♦ -

Double. Prefer to bring all three suits into play rather than overall in a five-card minor (and a lousy one at that).

♠QJ9 ♥Q76 ♦Q654 ♣KQJ
1♠ -

Pass. This hand is “12–17” but is ugly with wastage in the opponent’s suit. Your holding in the other major is poor and partner will have to show his suit at the two level.

♠2 ♥A1087 ♦A1086 ♣K1085
1♠ -

Double. Only 11 HCP, but perfect shape.

♠KQ107 ♥2 ♦AQJ7 ♣A1087
3♥ -

Double. Perfect.

♠AQJ1087 ♥2 ♦K102 ♣Q32
3♥ -

3♠. True, you can support the other suits, but this hand is about spades; just overcall.

♠KQ ♥AQ ♦A1032 ♣QJ872
3♥ -

3NT. Natural. If you double, guess what partner will bid.

♠KJ106 ♥2 ♦KQ102 ♣A765
1NT -

Pass. There is no such thing as a takeout double of a 1NT opening.

♠AKQJ ♥AKQ ♦J102 ♣876
1NT -

Double. In standard, this shows a strong hand – you have it.

♠KQJ9 ♥A32 ♦A32 ♣654
4♠ -

Pass. Double is not for penalty. If you double, partner likely will pull. Don’t expect to hold such a hand against a four-level preempt.

♠2 ♥AQ108 ♦AKQ2 ♣Q1072
4♠ -

Double. If partner has shape/offense, he will pull and be happy with your dummy. If partner is flat, he will pass and you will lead a high diamond and hope to set them.

♠2 ♥A2 ♦AQ1087 ♣KJ1072
4♠ -

4NT. A 4NT overcall shows a two-suiter (at least 5–5) and a good hand. The suits are presumed to be the minors.

♠KQ10 ♥AQ102 ♦KJ ♣Q1087
1♣ -

1NT. You have a hand that would have opened 1NT and you have their suit stopped; overcall 1NT.

♠AK10 ♥AQ102 ♦KJ ♣Q1087
1♣ -

Double. Too strong for 1NT. Double and then bid notrump.

♠AQ876 ♥1042 ♦AK54 ♣3
1♣ -

1♠. A simple overcall. Not strong enough to double and then bid again.

♠KJ8762 ♥A ♦AQ2 ♣AJ2
1♣ -

Double. Too strong for a 1♠ overcall. Double and then bid spades.

♠87 ♥AKQ10 ♦AKJ2 ♣Q87
2♠ -

Double. You have both 18-plus and support for all three unbid suits.

♠K82 ♥K2 ♦KQ108 ♣AQ76
2♠ -

2NT. This shows the high end of a 1NT opening with their suit stopped.

♠AK10876 ♥2 ♦A65 ♣K65
3♥ -

3♠. Not strong enough to double and then bid spades.

♠AKQJ10 ♥32 ♦AKQ10 ♣54
3♥ -

Double. Too strong for a simple overcall of 3♠.

♠54 ♥AKJ10 ♦A10865 ♣32
1♣ - Pass - 1♠ -

Double to show roughly 12–17 total points and the other suits.

♠AKQ ♥A2 ♦1087 ♣106543
1♣ - Pass - 1♠ -

Pass. You don’t have the right shape for a takeout double.

♠AQJ ♥543 ♦AJ54 ♣AJ10
1♣ - Pass - 1♠ -

1NT. This is like a 1NT opening with both of their suits stopped.

♠A2 ♥AQ10876 ♦K876 ♣2
1♣ - Pass - 1♠ -

2♥. Prefer overcalling in a five-plus-card major to making a takeout double.

♠AQJ106 ♥32 ♦A107 ♣J108
1♥ - Pass - 2♥ -

2♠. Same explanation as above.

♠10876 ♥2 ♦AK76 ♣A1076
1♥ - Pass - 2♥ -

Double. Takeout - don’t let them play in 2♥ (do this even with a bit less).

♠5 ♥AQJ7 ♦AK1076 ♣K32
1♠ - Pass - 2♠ -

Double. If partner bids clubs, so be it.

♠K2 ♥A54 ♦AKQJ762 ♣K
1♠ - Pass - 2♠ -

3NT. Natural, expecting to make it (don’t worry about the clubs; you can’t wait for perfection).

♠Q54 ♥Q54 ♦Q54 ♣J765
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

Pass. Sometimes you defend against a one-level contract

♠AJ2 ♥Q102 ♦Q765 ♣K102
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

1NT. In balancing seat, about a king less than a direct notrump overcall.

♠KQ76 ♥K1076 ♦J876 ♣2
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

Double. “Borrowing” a king.

♠A10876 ♥J2 ♦A43 ♣Q65
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

1♠. With a five-card major, prefer overcall to double.

♠AKQ107 ♥A1076 ♦2 ♣A43
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

Double. Too strong for an overcall, especially in balancing seat.

♠AKQ1076 ♥2 ♦AJ10 ♣J95
1♣ - Pass - Pass -

2♠. Intermediate in balancing seat. Good six-card (or longer) suit.

♠A1087 ♥2 ♦A876 ♣Q765
2♥ - Pass - Pass -

Double. “Borrowing” a king.

♠KQJ76 ♥2 ♦A1076 ♣432
2♥ - Pass - Pass -

2♠. With a five-card major, prefer overcall to double.

♠43 ♥8762 ♦10765 ♣J43
1♥ - Dbl - Pass -

2♦. Choose your longest suit. You are showing 0–8, so you are within range. Don’t pass in fright.

♠K6 ♥A32 ♦K10654 ♣1097
1♥ - Dbl - Pass -

3♦. Make sure to jump to show more than 0–8. This bid is not forcing; partner can (and often will) pass.

♠AQ876 ♥AK42 ♦43 ♣32
1♥ - Dbl - Pass -

4♠. Be sure to reach game (a cuebid is also a possible call).

♠K654 ♥32 ♦K1087 ♣654
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

1♠. Prefer to show the major.

♠A2 ♥A1087 ♦K1054 ♣832
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

2♥. Too much for only 1♥.

♠Q765 ♥AQ65 ♦A ♣Q1082
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

2♣. Cuebid (partner has to bid again) and try to explore for the correct game.

♠Q876 ♥43 ♦32 ♣87654
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

2♣. We will discuss taking out the double to notrump next (Spoiler: this hand isn’t strong enough).

♠A432 ♥KQJ8 ♦J105 ♣32
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

3♥. Make sure to bid more than 2♥ which would be only 0–8. This jump is 9–12, invitational and doesn’t promise five cards in hearts.

♠A2 ♥J76 ♦10432 ♣KJ98
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

1NT. More descriptive than bidding diamonds.

♠KQ109 ♥Q87 ♦32 ♣A876
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

2♠. Don’t skip a very playable major to show points and stoppers.

♠102 ♥A102 ♦QJ987 ♣AQJ
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

3NT. Where you want to be. Shows opening bid strength (and their suit stopped).

♠KJ10987 ♥2 ♦AQJ9 ♣32
1♣ - Dbl - Pass -

4♠. Make sure to reach game.

♠Q1087 ♥32 ♦J876 ♣KQ2
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

1NT. More descriptive than bidding diamonds.

♠QJ1098 ♥A2 ♦543 ♣543
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

Pass. A rare “penalty pass.”

♠A2 ♥A543 ♦AQ1087 ♣32
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

2♠. You could guess to jump to 4♥, but the cuebid allows more exploration (picture partner with: ♠87 ♥K76 ♦KJ92 ♣AK74 , where 3NT or 5♦ are better contracts than 4♥).

♠A765 ♥KJ987 ♦3 ♣J108
1♠ - Dbl - Pass -

3♥. Invitational.

♠10876 ♥543 ♦108762 ♣2
2♦ - Dbl - Pass -

2♠. Don’t pass (even with your five diamonds you don’t have enough defense).

♠AQJ1087 ♥2 ♦654 ♣KJ2
2♦ - Dbl - Pass -

4♠. Enough to want to be in game.

♠A765 ♥A765 ♦A32 ♣Q3
2♦ - Dbl - Pass -

3♦. No rush to guess at the final contract. Enlist partner’s help.

♠82 ♥KJ76 ♦KJ86 ♣872
3♣ - Dbl - Pass -

3♥. Not enough to jump. Prefer the major.

♠KJ2 ♥K2 ♦J10976 ♣KQ10
3♣ - Dbl - Pass -

3NT. More practical than bidding diamonds.

♠54 ♥A2 ♦J765 ♣QJ987
3♣ - Dbl - Pass -

Pass. At any vulnerability, collect a big number.

♠Q32 ♥J76 ♦A1076 ♣J76
4♥ - Dbl - Pass -

Pass. Don’t take out at this high level without a lot of shape.

♠J9876 ♥32 ♦32 ♣J1087
4♥ - Dbl - Pass -

4♠. Generally, bid 4♠ over 4♥ if it is in the ballpark.

Pass = Says nothing – could be zero points – just a hand that has nothing to say
Suit Bid (non-jump) = Natural(four or more cards) 5–8 total points
Jump-bid = As if RHO passed
Notrump = As if RHO passed

♠A32 ♥J32 ♦765 ♣Q642
2♥ - Dbl - 4♥ -

Pass. Not enough to come in at this level.

♠A10876 ♥2 ♦A1076 ♣Q32
2♥ - Dbl - 4♥ -

4♠. Nice hand, nice suit – you have plenty of offense and a reason to come in.

♠AJ2 ♥32 ♦K1076 ♣K875
2♥ - Dbl - 4♥ -

Double. A “responsive” double showing “cards” (not hearts or penalty).

♠Q765 ♥Q854 ♦432 ♣32
1♠ - Dbl - 1NT -

Pass. Not enough to come in at this level.

♠A103 ♥Q8653 ♦3 ♣10876
1♠ - Dbl - 1NT -

2♥. Enough reason to make a free bid.

♠A654 ♥Q10765 ♦2 ♣K102
1♠ - Dbl - 1NT -

3♥. Too much for only 2♥ (but not enough to insist on game).

♠J875 ♥Q32 ♦J32 ♣654
1♦ - Dbl - 1♥ -

Pass.

♠A1087 ♥54 ♦K1076 ♣654
1♦ - Dbl - 1♥ -

1♠.

There are two situations where thedoubler can take a second action:

With the “big” double — 18 or more HCP and a five-card or longer suit (if you rebid a suit)
Partner has shown values

♠AQ65 ♥A32 ♦32 ♣AJ87
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass -

Pass. Not enough to bid again facing 0–8.

♠K2 ♥AQJ7 ♦654 ♣AKJ5
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass -

2♥. Showing the big double (extras) – inviting partner to go further. Be careful not to bid 3♥ (or more); partner could have nothing.

♠AK ♥AKQ2 ♦A32 ♣J1076
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass -

3♥. Even stronger than above, begging partner to go to game with even a little bit (like a king).

♠AK32 ♥A43 ♦AJ3 ♣K108
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass -

1NT. Showing more than a 1NT overcall (roughly 18–20). Not forcing. Don’t make the common error of jumping to 2NT with this hand (which would show about 21–23).

♠A1087 ♥3 ♦AQ7 ♣Q6543
1♥ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass -

Pass. You showed yours and partner showed theirs.

♠QJ109 ♥43 ♦AQJ7 ♣AKJ
1♥ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass -

2NT. Invitational facing 6–10.

♠A10872 ♥2 ♦AQ4 ♣J1076
1♥ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass -

No answer, as this is a trick question. You should have overcalled 1♠ instead of doubling. 2♠ here would show the big double (18 or more).

♠AQJ108 ♥A32 ♦2 ♣AQJ2
1♥ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass -

2♠. Showing more than a 1♠ overcall (18 or more) and forcing facing 6–10 HCP.

♠2 ♥1087652 ♦J543 ♣32
1♣ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass - 1NT - Pass -

2♥. Must be better to play in hearts than notrump (this doesn’t show any strength).

♠Q108 ♥Q1076 ♦K2 ♣9876
1♣ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass - 1NT - Pass -

3NT. Partner has a good 18 to 20, which means you should go to game.

♠QJ54 ♥Q32 ♦J32 ♣765
1♠ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass - 1NT - Pass -

Pass. You have a minimum for the 6–10 you showed.

♠K1098 ♥A2 ♦J108 ♣10954
1♠ - Dbl - Pass - 1NT
Pass - 1NT - Pass -

3NT. With the good spot cards, this 8-count should be considered a “maximum.”

♠J876 ♥2 ♦8765 ♣Q762
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♠
Pass - 2♥ - Pass -

Pass. 2♥ is nonforcing. Leave well enough alone.

♠A987 ♥KJ2 ♦8765 ♣32
1♦ - Dbl - Pass - 1♠
Pass - 2♥ - Pass -

4♥. You have a huge hand opposite partner’s big hand with hearts.

♠2 ♥Q10876 ♦432 ♣J1076
1♣ - Dbl - Pass - 1♥
Pass - 3♥ - Pass -

4♥. Partner is begging you to go with any crumb – your crumbs (especially the fifth heart and the singleton) are enough.

♠KJ76 ♥J1087 ♦J102 ♣J2
2♥ - Dbl - Pass - 2♠
Pass - 2NT - Pass -

3NT. Partner has a good 18 to 20, which means you should go to game.

♠J1092 ♥2 ♦AQ102 ♣K1082
Pass - 1♥ - Pass - 1NT -

Double. Not completely safe, but you have the perfect shape to get into the auction.

♠A2 ♥QJ1098 ♦K432 ♣32
Pass - 1♥ - Pass - 1NT -

Pass. Don’t even dream of anything else.

♠K1098 ♥AQJ2 ♦K1032 ♣2
1♦ - 2♠ - Pass - Pass -

Pass. If your black suits were reversed, you could double.

♠2 ♥K1087 ♦AQ765 ♣A32
1♦ - 2♠ - Pass - Pass -

Double. When short in their suit, you don’t need extras to make a reopening double.

♠AQ2 ♥2 ♦AQ1076 ♣AK102
1♦ - 1♥ - Pass - 2♥ -

Double. Shows something like this (although you don’t have to be this strong).

♠3 ♥82 ♦AKQ8763 ♣K102
1♦ - 1♥ - Pass - 2♥ -

3♦. Straightforward – not the hand for a double.

♠KJ876 ♥QJ2 ♦KQ32 ♣2
1♠ - 2♥ - Pass - Pass -

Pass. Swap the hearts and clubs and you could double.

♠KQJ9876 ♥2 ♦QJ8 ♣K2
1♠ - 2♥ - Pass - Pass -

2♠. True, you are short in hearts, but if partner leaves it in, would you be happy?

Top