The Takeout Double

Four spades, four diamonds, four clubs and 14 points, and the opponent on your right opens 1♥. No single suit bid describes the hand, and an overcall names one suit and may miss the fit. So you double, and partner picks the trump suit. That is a takeout double in bridge, and it comes up more often than any other competitive call.

A double of an opening suit bid at a low level, made before partner has bid, is for takeout. It shows roughly an opening hand, shortness in the suit opened and support for every unbid suit. Partner, called the advancer, is expected to bid even with nothing, and to show strength by the level of the bid.

Shape

The ideal shape is short in the opened suit and at least three cards in each other suit. 4-4-4-1 and 4-4-3-2 with the shortness in their suit are classic. Over a major opening, a takeout double strongly implies four cards in the other major, because advancer will often bid it. Over 1♦, most players expect both majors from the doubler, or at least good tolerance for both.

Strength

In the direct seat a takeout double shows about 12 points or more. The better the shape, the fewer points you need. A hand of 11 points with 4-4-4-1 and the singleton in their suit is a fine double, while 13 points with three cards in their suit is not. A flat hand with 15 to 18 points is better described by a 1NT overcall.

There is no upper limit. Hands too strong for a simple overcall, roughly 17 points or more, start with a double whatever their shape and bid their own suit next. That second bid shows the strong hand, so a double does not always promise support for every unbid suit.

In the balancing seat, after 1♥ - Pass - Pass, you can double with less, because partner is marked with some values. Over preempts, double with a little more, because partner must bid at a higher level.

Responding to a takeout double comes down to two rules. You must bid with a weak hand, and you show your strength by the level you choose.

1. 1.0 to 8 points: bid your best suit at the cheapest level. Prefer a four-card major to a longer minor. Passing is not an option with a weak hand, because it converts the double to penalty.
2. 2.9 to 11 points: jump in your best suit. This is invitational and usually shows four or five cards. Holding a stopper in their suit and no major, bid 1NT with 6 to 10 and jump to 2NT with 11 to 12.
3. 3.12 or more points: cue bid the opener's suit. It is the only forcing bid and asks the doubler to describe further. The auction continues until a fit is found.
4. 4.A penalty pass: pass only with long, strong trumps in the opened suit, such as QJT98 sitting behind the opener.

When the opponent on your right bids after the double, you are no longer forced to bid. A free bid then shows a real suit and some values, about 5 to 10 points. If the opener's partner raised, a double by you is usually a responsive double, showing the unbid suits.

You can deal hands like South's in the simulator and see how often a jump response leads to a making game, or check this one in the double dummy solver.

• Doubling with length in their suit. Three or four cards in the opened suit means partner will choose a suit you cannot support. Overcall, bid 1NT or pass.
• Doubling a major without the other major. After a double of 1♥, partner bids spades first. If you have only two spades, prefer another call.
• Advancer passing with a weak hand. Pass converts the double to penalty and needs a strong trump holding. A bad hand bids its cheapest suit.
• Underbidding as advancer. A simple response shows 0 to 8 points. Jump with 9 to 11, or the doubler cannot tell 0 from 10.

A double of 1NT is for penalty in Standard American and in Acol. Takeout doubles in Acol follow the same principles described here. Many partnerships add lebensohl responses after a double of a weak two, which separate weak hands from invitational ones. Two-suited hands, especially five-five, are usually better shown with the Michaels cue bid or the unusual 2NT, which name both suits at once. When the opponents overcall your side's opening, responder's equivalent is the negative double.

What is a takeout double in bridge?

A takeout double is a double of the opponents' opening bid that asks partner to bid a suit rather than defend. It shows opening values, shortness in the suit opened and support for the unbid suits.

How many points do you need for a takeout double?

About 12 or more in the direct seat, fewer with ideal shape. In the balancing seat, about 8 points is enough.

Can I pass partner's takeout double?

Only with long, strong trumps in the opened suit, because a pass turns the double into a penalty double. With a weak hand you must bid.

How do I show a good hand when responding to a takeout double?

Jump in your best suit with 9 to 11 points. A hand of 12 or more cue bids the opener's suit, which is forcing.

How do I know if a double is for takeout or for penalty?

A double of a suit bid at a low level, before partner has bid, is for takeout. A double of 1NT is for penalty, and doubles later in the auction depend on partnership agreement.