{"id":60770,"date":"2023-02-01T14:50:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T12:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=60770"},"modified":"2023-02-03T15:45:01","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T13:45:01","slug":"the-take-out-double","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/the-take-out-double\/","title":{"rendered":"Bridge lesson: The take-out double"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Bridge<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You are sitting left of opener. You have a good hand but you don\u2019t know how to show it. Is this the moment to draw your Double card, this all-purpose weapon of modern bridge? To use it wisely, you need to know the basics. And to answer, your partner has to apply the three zone rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Definition<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Answers to the take-out Double<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The second call by the person who doubled<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1. Definition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This study deals with the Double by the player placed directly behind an opening bid of One of a suit. This Double shows opening strength and theoretically promises the other three suits. It has no upper limit. It must never take the place of a natural overcall. Its conditions of use are a little different depending on whether the opening suit is a minor or a major. The following principles only concern the zone 11-17HCP (the case of a take-out Double with any distribution and 18+HCP will only be mentioned briefly).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First sequence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Double promises seven or eight cards between the two majors, never two cards, never five cards, so the distribution of the two majors is either 4-3 or 4-4. The conditions for the distribution of the two minors are less strict; it\u2019s possible to double with more cards in opener\u2019s minor than in the other minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    No Double with two Spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    More to gain than to lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    No Double with a five-card Major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    11HCP only, but ideal distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Not the best distribution, but the necessary conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Second sequence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    This Double, essentially aiming at the search for a Spade fit, promises a priori four Spades and is in the same range, 11-17HCP. It stays a take-out Double for the three other suits. It\u2019s nevertheless authorized and advised to double with only three Spades, on the condition of holding a singleton Heart as compensation for this lack of a fourth card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    All conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Priority to the natural overcall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The distribution and quality of the big honors make up for the lack of a fourth Spade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Priority to the natural overcall. Spades will possibly be suggested on the next round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Nothing interesting to show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Third sequence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Same principle, with one important difference. It\u2019s possible to double with five Hearts if the quality of the suit doesn\u2019t justify an overcall at the two-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Very classical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s urgent to come forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Hearts are too fragile to bid them at the two-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Recommended with a nice five-card suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A special case: the \u201call distribution\u201d take-out Double<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    With 18HCP and more you have to act, but this point range is higher than the one of natural suit overcalls (8-17HCP) or 1NT (15 good-18 bad HCP). The only way to enter the auction is to double, without any constraints coming from the distribution. Responder reacts to a \u201ctrue\u201d take-out double, the ambiguity will be resolved on the next round (see further down).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The principle of seven cards in the majors no longer applies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Too strong to overcall 1♠.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The Spade singleton is worrying, but overcalling 1♥ would not be appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Too strong for 1NT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2. Answers to the take-out Double<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Opener\u2019s partner passes after the Double.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A. Answers in a suit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    They are directed by two main ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Sort your answers into three ranges: 0-7HCP, 8-10HCP and 11+HCP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Priority to the major.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      1) 0-7 HCP: negative response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Responder bids his suit without a jump and gives priority to a four-card major over a five-card minor. N\u00b02 is now warned that his side probably doesn\u2019t hold point majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Priority to the four-card Spade suit, the Double asks about the majors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      At the two-level, indeed, but without a jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cWith tears in your eyes\u201d. You may only pass with a real penalty Double in your hand (see below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      In the same spirit, priority to the major. Not far from the maximum for this bid, which would be the same with this hand: ♠83 ♥10872 ♦104 ♣109632.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      The question of what to answer with both four-card majors, 1♥ or 1♠ is heavily debated. My advice is to answer 1♥, the lower one, as in response to an opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2) 8-10HCP: positive response<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      All bids are made with a jump. Partner gets the information that his side has point majority and that game must be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      a) Jump to 2-of-a-Major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Promises precisely four cards, assumes you have discovered a 4-4, fit, denies both four-card majors after a 1-of-a-minor opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      The principle of giving priority to the major is maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Answering 2♥ or 2♠ may cause you to miss out on the eight-card fit. You have to show both majors in one bid. The cue-bid of opener\u2019s minor – here 2♣ – is perfectly suited for this. (For more information, see the section on cue-bids further down).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      b) Double jump to 3-of-a-Major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Promises precisely five cards (with six cards, we jump to game) and thus allows partner to know if we have an eight or nine-card fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      After a 1♠ opening and a Double, it is impossible to make this distinction between four and five cards in Hearts in a hand with 8-10HCP. We jump to the three-level in both cases. Partner must take this into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      c) The jump to 2 or 3-of-a-minor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Promises five or six cards, most often with the idea of playing 3 No-trump. None of these jumps are forcing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      3) 11+HCP: game forcing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      11 HCP may seem insufficient to you facing a call which promises not more than an opening, but the knowledge that the points are located between three hands and probable ease of communication deserve that you go down by 1 or 2 points from the minimum needed to play game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      a) With five or six cards in a major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Without hope of a slam, we jump to game. With a six-card suit, 9HCP may be sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      b) Without a satisfactory natural bid: the cue-bid<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      With one or both four-card major(s), with slam ambitions, or with a long minor, responder makes a cue-bid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      To play 4 Spades with eight trumps and 3 No-Trump otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      On the way to 4 Hearts or 4 Spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Un saut \u00e0 Carreau serait non forcing, imposer 3 Sans-Atout est pr\u00e9matur\u00e9, il faut peut-\u00eatre d\u00e9clarer 5 ou 6 Carreaux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Before showing slam ambitions in Spades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      B. No-trump answers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      They are all positive, therefore 8+HCP, and deny a four-card major (beside opener\u2019s, of course).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1) 1NT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      8-10HCP, a priori<\/em> with a stopper in the opening suit, but not always – theory of the least bad lie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Better solution than a jump to 3♦, the alternative call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      What else?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2) 2NT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      11HCP, this time the stopper is mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      We rely on partner to stop the Hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3) 3NT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      12-15HCP, mandatory stopper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Easy enough facing opening strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4) Cue-bid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Without a stopper with 11+HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      C. The cue-bid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      1) After the opening of 1♣ or 1♦The cue-bid is autoforcing but not game forcing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In these conditions, the player who doubled doesn\u2019t need to give full information about his hand but must simply show his first four-card major. The author of the cue-bid will then specify the reasons which led him to make this bid. The various uses of the cue-bid have been mentioned in the previous pages, and are now gathered together in this section, confirming that the cue-bid doesn\u2019t guarantee four cards in one or both majors. There are five situations in which a cue-bid is used opposite a take-out Double:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • With four Hearts and four Spades, 8-10HCP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • With four Hearts or four Spades, 11+HCP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Without a stopper in the opening minor, 11+HCP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • With six cards in the other minor, 11+HCP.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • With a one suiter and slam ambitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Developments after the cue-bid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Typical sequence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        a) 3♥<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Only non-forcing sequence (together with the similar ones). Precisely shows four Hearts and four Spades, 8-10HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        The player who doubled passes or bids game as he sees fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        b) 4♥ or 4♠, 11+HCP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        With four Hearts, jump to game or, exceptionally a cue-bid if slam ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        With four Spades (and not four Hearts) and 11+HCP: 2♠, game forcing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        The full auction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        East either raises Spades with four cards or, like here, shows a four-card Club suit. With 3-4-3-3 distribution, East would respond 2NT with a Diamond stopper and 3♦.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        c) 3♦<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A second cue-bid asks for a stopper and is made with a balanced hand without a four-card major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        d) 3♣<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Shows a six-card suit and either balanced or unbalanced distribution, doesn\u2019t exclude 3 No-Trump or 6 Clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        It would be a serious mistake to jump to 3NT. On this deal, partner\u2019s hand was ♠AQ85 ♥AJ63 ♦5 ♣J874. 6 Clubs makes and 3 No-trump goes one down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        e) 3♠ (or 3♥ over a response of 2♠)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Slam ambition with at least five cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        13HCP only but the distribution and the quality and location of the honors justify considering a small slam, a mandatory consideration when even a grand slam is possible since it is enough to find four-card support, three keycards and a singleton Diamond to visualize thirteen tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2) After the opening of 1♥ or 1♠<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The option of a hand in the 8-10HCP range with both four-card majors obviously no longer exists. The two cue-bids, 2♥ and 2♠, promise a minimum of 11HCP and are game forcing. From there, their use follows a parallel path to that which we have just studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        a) The other four-card major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Important note<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Under these conditions, raising to the three-level is forcing, 14+HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Too strong to jump to 4♠.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        We must look for the Heart game. The 3♣ rebid doesn\u2019t deny four Hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        b) Asking for a stopper, here as well by repeating the cue-bid.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        In search of the best game… Without certainty of finding a contract that makes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        c) Minor one-suiter, which is shown at the next round.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Don\u2019t forget that the direct jump to 3♦ is not forcing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        d) Slam ambition<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        Partner probably doesn\u2019t have four cards in Spades, but the slam is still possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        3. The second call by the person who doubled<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        a) After a response in the 0-7HCP range<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        A compulsory rule:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
        <\/stop><\/stop><\/linearGradient><\/defs><\/svg><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        The player who doubled only bids on if he wants to play game, this means with 18+HCP or 18HD in case of a fit.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        To try underderstanding the logic of this rule better, let\u2019s compare two apparently similar situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • You open 1♦ with:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          ♠️ Q J 9 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ♥️ A 10 7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ♦️ A Q 10 5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ♣️ 8 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If your partner responds 1♠, you raise him to 2♠ and, depending on the strength of his hand, he will know what to do: pass, leap to game, or invite game or slam. If your partner responds 1♥, you rebid 1♠ without hesitation and wait for the continuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • You double a 1♣ with:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            ♠️ Q J 9 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            ♥️ A 10 7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            ♦️ A Q 10 5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            ♣️ 8 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            If your partner answers 1♠, you absolutely have to pass. This 1♠ bid is made without a jump, and therefore limited to the 0-7 HCP range – you know it – so you have no hope of game and another bid, even a simple raise to 2♠ would restart the bidding and propel you towards a contract without the slightest chance of success. And if he answers 1♥, you still have to pass, admittedly disappointed that you may be playing in a seven-card fit, but to bid again would encourage your partner to bid game and miserably go down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Let\u2019s now look at the various bids that the player who doubled has at his disposal with hands in the range of 18+HCP or 18+HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            1) Raising partner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            a) At the 2-level<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Four trumps, 18-19HD, count a minimum of 15HCP in case of an unbalanced hand, 16HCP with balanced hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            b) At the 3-level<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Five trumps, a precaution in the case of a response of 1♥ or 1♠ with three cards, a minimum of 18HCP to justify a Double with a five-card major, around 19-20HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            c) At the 4-level<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Always five trumps, 21-22HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            d) Cue-bid<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The cue-bid shows four-card support and 21+HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            This cue-bid is not autoforcing. responder must therefore fully describe his hand.<\/strong> To simplify, responder jumps on the brakes in the range of 0-4HCP and orients the auction towards game in the range of 5-7HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Five Hearts, 5-7HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Four Hearts, 5-7HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            \u201cIn a dying voice\u201d, 0-4HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The cue-bid can also be used without support (see below) but responder\u2019s attitude remains the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            2) No-trump bids.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            They guarantee a stopper in the opening suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            a) 1NT, 18+-20-HCP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            2 points more than a natural 1NT overcall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            No longer make the mistake of jumping to 2NT to show your 19HCP. With 12-15HCP you pass 1♥, with 16-18HCP you overcall 1NT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            b) 2NT, 20+-22HCP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            c) 3NT, 23-24HCP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The cue-bid is used with hands in all these ranges without a stopper in the opening suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            3) New suits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            a) Without jump<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            They promise a minimum of 18HCP and always at least five cards in the named suit. They are non-forcing and therefore limited to the 18-20HCP range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            b) With jump<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Always six cards, 19-21HCP. Also not forcing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            c) Cue-bid<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
            <\/stop><\/stop><\/linearGradient><\/defs><\/svg><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            Double, then cue-bid then new suit initiates a game forcing sequence. With 22HCP and more.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Slam is still possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            B) After a positive response, 8-10HCP or 11+HCP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            1) 8-10HCP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            a) Jump to 2-of-a-Major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            With four-card support in partner\u2019s major, depending on his range, the player who doubled can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            • Pass, 12-13HCP, balanced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
              \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Invite game, 3♥ or 3♠, 14HCP balanced or 12HCP unbalanced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • Leap to game, with 15+HCP balanced or 13HCP unbalanced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • In exceptional cases consider a slam, 19+HD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  With only three cards, it takes a minimum of 15HCP to consider game, usually at No-trump and requesting a stopper by way of a cue-bid auction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  b) Jump to 3-of-a-Major<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  With four trumps, the player who doubled systematically bids game, except with balanced hands with 12HCP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  With three trumps, the player who doubled passes with 12HCP, unbalanced or 12-14HCP, balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  c) Jump to 3-of-a-minor<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The player who doubled can pass, consider game either in No-trump with balanced hands, or in partner\u2019s suit if he has a true fit and an unbalanced hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  Attempting to play 3NT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  2) 11+HCP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The question only arises opposite the cue-bid. The cue-bid is autoforcing, the player who doubled must show his majors at the two-level (always, independent of his strength!), starting with the lowest. Responding 2♥ doesn\u2019t deny four Spades, but 2♠ denies four Hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Comment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The cue-bid as response to the cue-bid denies a four-card major and promises a balanced hand with 18-19HCP without a stopper in the opening suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  What do you think of this article by Alain L\u00e9vy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Please share your view in the Comments<\/em> sections below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  You are sitting left of opener. You have a good hand but you don\u2019t know how to show it. Is this the moment to draw your Double card, this all-purpose weapon of modern bridge? To use it wisely, you need to know the basics. And to answer, your partner has to apply the three zone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":60493,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14923,10635],"tags":[11647,14308,12238],"access":[13334],"class_list":["post-60770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bridge-lessons","category-let-s-talk-about-bridge","tag-bidding-en","tag-cours-et-exercices","tag-lessons-en","access-premium-plus-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBridge lesson: The take-out double - Blog Funbridge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/the-take-out-double\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bridge lesson: The take-out double - Blog Funbridge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You are sitting left of opener. 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