June 2020 - 46

Newer Players

Reasoning with Robert
BY ROBERT S. TODD

robert@advinbridge.com

advinbridge.com

A takeout double of 1♥: so many options!
Right-hand opponent opens the bidding 1♥. Imagine we hold:
♠A 8 7 2 ♥8 ♦K 8 5 3 ♣A Q 8 3.
With this hand, we make a takeout
double because it has the classic shape
and values for doing so. A takeout
double is a great way to compete in the
bidding. It expresses interest in playing
in any suit where partner has length,
and it shows a hand with good playing
strength in support of the other three
suits. But we do not need this perfect
shape (four-card support for all three
other suits) or this much strength
(13 HCP) in order to make a takeout
double.
A double of a 1♥ opening bid promises roughly opening-bid values, at
least three-card support for all the
unbid suits and shortness in the opponent's suit.
One of the most common misconceptions that players have is that a takeout
double of 1♥ promises four cards in
spades. We can make a takeout double
of 1♥ with only three cards in spades
with a hand such as this:
♠A 8 2 ♥8 7 ♦A Q 5 3 ♣K 8 5 3.
Even though we only have three
spades, this is an easy double of 1♥. If
partner bids spades with a four-card
suit, and they end up playing in a 4-3
spade fit, the hand will still play well.
Here is another example where we
should make a takeout double even
though we do not have four-card support for the unbid major:
♠A 8 2 ♥8 ♦Q 7 6 5 3 ♣A K 5 3.

46 Bridge Bulletin June 2020

With this hand, we have the option of
making a takeout double or overcalling
our five-card diamond suit. But overcalling at the two level on a bad fivecard suit is a much bigger danger than
the potential of playing in a 4-3 fit.
With a 5-4-3-1 hand, opening values, and shortness in the opponent's
heart suit, a takeout double is usually
best if the five-card suit is a minor. But
if our five-card suit is spades (a major),
then overcalling 1♠ is a reasonable
consideration. Holding:
♠K J 10 7 2 ♥3 ♦A 7 6 4 ♣A 9 3,
it is best to overcall 1♠ when RHO
opens 1♥. But with:
♠10 9 7 3 2 ♥3 ♦A Q 6 4 ♣A K 3,
it is best to make a takeout double,
treating our poor five-card spade suit
like a four-card suit.
The more distributional a hand, the
fewer values that are needed to make a
takeout double (especially when nonvulnerable). Double a 1♥ opening bid
on your right holding:
♠A 9 8 2 ♥- ♦K 9 4 3 ♣K 8 7 3 2.
With less distributional hands, we
need to have a full opening bid in order
to make a takeout double of 1♥:
♠Q 5 4 2 ♥A Q ♦A 8 6 ♣10 9 4 3.
This would be a minimum hand for
a takeout double with a doubleton
in hearts. With more values and the
proper shape, we can still make a takeout double:
♠K J 9 3 ♥A Q ♦K 9 7 5 ♣K 6 3.

But here, with a double stopper in the
opponent's suit, it is better to overcall
1NT showing 15-18 points, a balanced
hand, and a good stopper in the opponent's suit.
With 4-3-3-3 hands, we usually
do not make a takeout double. This is
particularly true with 12-14 HCP and
a good number of points in the opponent's suit:
♠6 5 3 ♥A K J ♦J 6 5 ♣K J 5 4
With all these points in the opponent's suit, it is best to pass and attempt to defend. In contrast, consider
this:
♠K J 8 3 ♥5 4 3 ♦A J 10 ♣K J 10.
With a flat hand and no points in
the opponent's suit, it is reasonable to
make a takeout double, treating it as if
we are short in the opponent's suit.
♠A K J 9 ♥K 10 8 ♦Q 10 5 ♣5 4 3
With this balanced hand, 13 HCP,
and an excellent four-card spade suit,
we can consider passing, making a
takeout double, or even overcalling
spades. Our choice with this hand is a
matter of bidding style, but overcalling
1♠ is very reasonable.
As you can see, a traditional threesuited takeout double is usually made
with a variety of different shapes,
including 5-4-4-0, 5-4-3-1, 4-4-4-1,
4-4-3-2, or 4-3-3-3 (rarely).
Both the number of high-card points
and the location of honors help us
decide how best to describe these
hands.
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June 2020

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