Precision - they compete

When opponents bid or intervene ...

Takeout double

Since most players open on any pretext these days, it is important to have a clear understanding on takeout doubles.
When an opponent opens the bidding, a takeout double is used to show an opening hand or better.
The hand should have a tolerance for the unbid suits.
With a one-suited or two-suited hand, it is better to bid the suits.
In response to the takeout double,
a suit bid shows 4 or more cards and 0 - 7 points;
a notrump bid shows 8 - 11 points, balanced and a stopper in the opponents suit;
a jump bid shows 8 - 10 points;
a cue-bid shows a game forcing hand - 11+ points

Special doubles

When opponents intervene, Special doubles are used to convey specific information.
Redoubles are used to tell partner about a good hand; it implies a desire to penalize the opponents.
In some cases redoubles are used as SOS, to convey to partner that it is necessary to scramble to the lowest playable contract.

The negative double was devised by Alvin Roth ....
It is used when partner has opened the bidding and RHO intervenes and there are no convenient bids.
For example, partner opens 1 Heart and the next hand overcalls 1 Spade.
You hold

9 3 2

9 4

A Q 10 3

K 9 7 3
You cannot bid 1N - no spade stopper,
you cannot bid 2H - only 2 hearts,
and you cannot go to the 2 level - less than 10 points;
but you want to compete and want to tell that to partner.
So, you double - this is called a negative double.
Partner can now bid 2H with 6 cards in hearts, bid 1N with stopper in spades or
bid a minor knowing that you will have support.
The negative double could be merely competitive or the start of a strong sequence.

The responsive double is used when partner has made a takeout double of an opponent's bid
and your RHO raised and you do not have a convenient bid.
For example, The bidding has gone 1H - Double - 2H to you and you hold:

9 3 2

9 4

A Q 10 3

K 9 7 3
You still want to compete and possibly push the opponents to the three level.
So, you double - this is called a responsive double.
Partner with 4 good spades could bid 2 spades or bid a minor.

The support double was devised by Eric Rodwell. It helps responder differentiate between a 3-card support and a 4-card support.
For example, the bidding has proceeded
W N E S
1C P 1H 1S

Now West can bid 2H to show 4-card heart support and doubles to show 3-card heart support.

Over opps takeout double

When opponents have doubled your partner's opening bid the following scheme may be folllowed:
On all strong hands start with a redouble.
Suit bids are forcing for one round; Jump bids are weak
Over a minor opening, a jump to 2 NT shows a limit raise (or more) of partner's suit.
( This convention is called Jordan/Truscott. )
If partner opens a major and RHO doubles, BROMAD (Bergen raises over major after double) is used

The scheme of responses over a takeout double of partner's major opening:

2 C	3 card support, 7-9 points
2 D	3 card support, 10-11 points
2 M	3 card support, 0 - 6 points
2 N	Weak hand with long minor; opener bids 3C; responder passes ot corrects
3 C	4 card support, 7-9 points, etc.

Vs opening preempt

It is important to have an understanding on how high our double should be for takeout,
when opponents preempt.
One option is to play that a double of preempts upto 3S is for takeout.
However, since players are preempting higher, it may be advisable to play the double as takeout up to 4S preempt.
In that case, the meanings of the various bids and sequences after that should be discussed
A Lebensohl 2 NT response may be used after a 2-level preempt is doubled by partner.

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