A take-out double is the most common use for the bid ‘double’ in bridge. When the opponents have opened the bidding and you have 11 or more points, no five card suit to bid, and shortness in the opponent’s suit – you double.

A textbook take-out double would look like this:

The Opponent opens 1 ª:

You have:

ª 7  © A Q 6 3  ¨ K J 5 2  § Q 10 4 3

At least three card support for the other suits, 11 or more high card points, no five card suit to bid, and shortness in the opponents suit. You can make a take-out double with two cards in the opponent’s suit but just remember, the worse your distribution the more points you should have.

A take-out double is a method that allows you and your partner to compete in an auction when you have points but no long suit.

Responding to a Take-out Double

If your partner makes a take-out double –

YOU MUST BID, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO POINTS!

The only exception to this is if your right hand opponent bids. If so you are ‘off the hook’.

Example:

If you have to bid:

• With 0 to 8 or 9 points - you just bid your longest suit (NOT the suit the opponent opened)
• With 10 or more points – you should jump in your suit
• With an opening hand and a four card major – you should bid game

Remember that partner has promised you that he has the other three suits.

Doublers

Remember - since you forced your partner to bid, you should not raise unless you have more than your partner would expect you to have (roughly 15 or more points).

Remember – you have shown an opening hand already and the other three suits…..you should not bid again UNLESS YOU HAVE EXTRAS!