What type of hand is partner showing at his second and third turns in these auctions?
LHO Partner RHO You
(A) 1D DBL 1S Pass
2C DBL
(B) 1D DBL Pass 1S
DBL RDBL Pass
(C) 1H DBL 4H Pass
Pass DBL
(D) 1D DBL 2D Pass
Pass DBL 3D Pass
Pass DBL
Your early bridge lessons probably didn’t cover these situations. Learning the meaning of the first double is difficult enough for beginners, so anything more complicated tends to be a topic for an advanced class. More commonly, we acquire this knowledge on our own – by reading books and Internet discussions, taking advice from more experienced players and just seeing how other pairs solve bidding problems.
In many auctions, a second double by the takeout doubler is easy to read as still for takeout, just stronger. In the examples above, though, the message is different because of the level or the suits bid after the first double. Although some pairs have their own agreements, there are “expert standard” treatments for all of these calls.
The “re-takeout” meaning would apply in Auction (A) if your LHO had rebid 2D. Over 2C, though, partner’s double is penalty. One reason is that the opponents have made natural bids in three suits, so a takeout for one suit makes no sense. Another is that clubs is a suit partner showed with his first double.
The default guidelines that apply here are:
♣ Depending on the auction, a double can be a takeout for two or three suits – never one or four.
♣ If you or partner has previously shown length in the opponents' last-bid suit, a double of that suit is penalty.
Auction (B) is different because you’ve bid. Your LHO’s double shows extra values and presumably spade shortness. Partner’s redouble is a type of “re-takeout" that promises extra values (at least a strong 16 points), but uncertainty about what the final contract should be. With four spades, partner would raise your suit, so he’s showing exactly 3-card support. A typical hand might be ♠AK4 ♥AQJ6 ♦74 ♣K1053 .
The same meaning applies in similar auctions. If your LHO had rebid 2D instead of double, partner can double to show this hand. If your RHO had responded 1H and LHO had made a support double of your 1S freebid, partner's redouble is the good 3-card spade raise.
The second double in (C) is technically still for takeout, but you have more to consider than just which suit to bid. Partner is promising a very strong hand with good defense. Although there are no guarantees, his main message is “4H is going down”.
You won't want to pull the double unless you have a long suit (5+ spades or 6+ cards in a minor) and enough strength that you expect to make your bid. With a balanced hand, even a bust, passing is probably your best chance at a plus score.
In (D), if partner's first double is takeout and the second is a stronger takeout, what is the third? It’s not just even more high-card points. It's penalty.
The (almost) universal view is that you can’t make three takeout doubles in one auction. The third double doesn’t command that you pass, but partner is telling you he has 3D beat in his hand, so if you pull, you should have realistic hopes of making.
© 2023 Karen Walker