Standard American Lesson 17

Responses to Takeout Double

Remember that partner has promised support for all unbid suits.

Most of the time your partner will not bid again after making a takeout double. Therefore, if you have a reasonable hand yourself, it is your responsibility to show your points. Remember that partner has an opening hand, so you should bid as if you were responding to an opening bid.

 

The openers bid is 1 ♦, your partner doubles (for takeout) and the next player passes. What do you bid?

Hand 1.

Comment: 1♠ (obligatory) You are obliged to respond even with no points. If you had 8+ HCP you would jump the bidding 1 level so your bid would have been 2 ♠ You must bid, unless the opposition bids before your turn and thus cancels the double.




Hand 2.

Comment: Bid 2 ♠ to show your partner 8+ HCP and a four card suit. Remember that partner has promised support for all unbid suits.




Hand 3.

Comment: 1 ♠ (keep it low!) as you have less than 8 HCP. Remember that partner has promised support for all unbid suits.




Hand 4.

Comment: Bid 1NT you have 6-9 HCP which you need to bid 1NT. Remember that partner has promised support for all unbid suits.




Hand 5.

Comment: Bid 4 ♠you have 13 HCP and your partner has at least 2 spade cards otherwise they would have overcallled. Most of the time your partner will not bid again after making a takeout double. Therefore, if you have a reasonable hand yourself, it is your responsibility to show your points. Remember that partner has an opening hand, so you should bid as if you were responding to an opening bid.




Hand 6.

Comment: Bid 3NT you have length and cover (2 stops A♦ & Q♦ in oppositions diamond suit) and enough points for game. Most of the time your partner will not bid again after making a takeout double. Therefore, if you have a reasonable hand yourself, it is your responsibility to show your points. Remember that partner has an opening hand, so you should bid as if you were responding to an opening bid.

You now have two ways of entering the auction after the opponents have opened.

• You can overcall if you have a good 5+ card suit. Remember that points aren’t important for an overcall but you do need a good suit.
• The other way of entering the auction is with a double. Strength does matter for a double. You should   have at least 13 TP and support for the unbid suits.

This is really important!   If your partner doubles, then you must bid, unless your right-hand opponent bids and thus cancels the double. If your partner overcalls then you shouldn’t bid unless you have a fit with your partner. You will only need 3-card support to ensure a fit, because an overcall promises a 5-card suit.

PREVIOUS LESSON - Takeout Doubles     NEXT LESSON - Opening 2 NoTrump 

1.	Introduction To Bridge - Hand Evaluation
2.	Opening Bids
3.	Bidding Game
4.	Responder Bidding
5.	Opener Rebids
6.	Responder Suit Bids
7.	Responder No Trump Bids
9.	Responding To Overcalls
10.	Opening 1NT
11.	Responding With Balanced Hands
12.	Responding With An Unbalanced Hand
13.	NoTrump Rebids
14.	Responses To NoTrump Rebids
15.	Overcall Or Double
16.	Takeout Doubles
17.	Responses To Takeout Doubles
18.	Opening 2NT
19.	Responses To 2NT
20.	Opening Strong 2 Clubs
21.	Responding to a Strong 2 Club Opening
22.	Responding to an Opening Weak 2 Bid

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