Take out double and responders bids

Take out double and responders bids

Takeout Double
If your opponent opens with a suit bid, a double by you promises:
• At least opening-bid strength (12+ pts.)
• Shortness in the suit the opponent opened.
• Support for all unbid suits. Your double forces partner to bid, so you must have at least 3-card length in any suit he will choose. Typical hands for a takeout double of an opponent's 1C opening would be:
KJ76 AQ92 KJ4 65
Q104 AK84 K10432 8
The exception: There is one type of hand where you can double without support for all unbid suits. You can start with a double if you have a hand that has one long suit and great strength (17+ pts.) -- The type of hand where you don't want to risk having partner pass a simple overcall of your suit. Your hand and your suit should be strong enough that you could make game if partner has as little as 4-6 pts. and a fit -- a hand like
KJ AQJ1084 AK65 7. To describe this hand, start with a double that forces partner to respond. Then "overrule" partner's choice by freely bidding your heart suit at your next turn.
Over call your own suit 8-15 pts
Double then bid your own suit 16-18 pts
Double then freely bid your own suit skipping a level 19-21+ pts
If the opponent opens 1NT, all the suits are unbid, so a double is not for takeout. A double of 1NT is always for penalty, showing 18+ pts. Use this double cautiously. Even if you have a lot of high-card points, you should avoid making a penalty double unless you have a strong suit to lead.
Responding to Partner's Takeout Double! If partner doubles an opponent's suit bid, you must respond unless:
• The opponent on your right has also entered the bidding, OR
• You have a long, strong holding in the opponent's suit and want to "convert" partner's takeout double to a penalty double.
Respond your longest unbid suit at the level that shows your point-count:
• 0-8 pts. -- Bid your longest suit at the lowest level possible (1H - DBL - Pass - 1S, 2C or 2D).
• 8+-11 pts. -- Jump a level in your longest suit to show strength (1H - DBL - Pass - 2S, 3C or 3D).
• 7-10 pts. -- Bid 1NT if you have good stoppers in the opponent's suit.
• 11-12 pts. -- Jump to 2NT if you have stoppers in the opponent's suit, but do not have length in an unbid major.
• 12+ pts. – Cue bid the opponents suit. 100% game forcing

Barry Depristo