Relearning bridge

Relearning bridge – 36 (March 2023)

In recent issues, we’ve been discussing modern treatments for low-level doubles. The popular view is that most should be played as some form of takeout, which is probably different than what you learned as a beginner.

To sort out the meanings, some pairs like to apply default guidelines to ambiguous situations: “A first-round double is never for penalty” or “All doubles through the 3-level are takeout if there are at least two unbid suits.” Or just "When in doubt, take it out."

Those sound simple enough, but confusion still arises because there are so many exceptions. Are these doubles among them?

        You       West     Partner   East

(1)      1H        DBL       RDBL      2C
           Pass      Pass       DBL

(2)     1D         2D *       DBL        2H      * (Michaels – both majors)
          Pass      Pass        DBL

(3)     1H         1S          Pass       Pass
          DBL      Pass       Pass        2C
          Pass      Pass       DBL

(4)     1H         1S         Pass        2C
          Pass      Pass       DBL

In all of these auctions, the last double “sounds like” it could be for takeout, but should be played as penalty. There are two standard bidding guidelines that apply here and take precedence over any agreement you have about takeout meanings. The first is:

#1: Double is penalty if either of us has made a card-showing double or redouble earlier.

These are auctions where you've shown a willingness to penalize a future bid by the opponents. One of the most common is when you redouble an opponent's takeout double (Auction 1). Another penalty situation is created when you double an Unusual Notrump overcall or Michaels cuebid (Auction 2). After these starts, any subsequent double by you or partner is penalty.

Some pairs use the double of a Michaels cuebid to show a fit for opener's suit, but this has little value. If you have trump support, it's usually more effective to raise. A direct double is best used as card-showing (around 10+ points) with a desire to penalize one or both of overcaller's suits.

Another universal default is:

#2: Double is penalty if either of us has made an earlier penalty double (or penalty pass of a takeout double).

Takeout and responsive doubles are “off” in any auction where you've already attempted to penalize the opponents. That’s clear in Auction 3, where partner’s first pass confirmed he had a spade stack.

The double at his third turn also sends the penalty message, but since it’s unlikely that he also has long clubs, it’s more of a suggestion than a command. It’s a “Let’s not let them off the hook” double that shows good high-card strength and tolerance (at least a doubleton club) for defending 2C doubled if opener likes his hand for defense. Partner might hold ♠AJ1085 ♥65 ♦KQ4 ♣J64 .

Partner is showing the same type of hand in Auction 4, even though no one has made it obvious by making an earlier penalty double. The message – spade stack, good overall defense -- is implied because what else could partner have? If he didn’t have the strength to act over a 1S overcall, he can't possibly have enough to justify a light takeout now, especially when there's only one unbid suit and the opponents haven't shown a fit.