This is the final quiz in this 3-part series. In the earlier sections, we discussed taking out low and high level takeout doubles. Here, three more topics are introduced:
1) Taking out to 4NT. If the opponents open 4 or 4 and partner doubles, what are you to bid with, say 5-5 in the minors? For example:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
4 | Double | Pass | ?? |
And you hold:
42
2
AJ876
K10765?
Fortunately, 4NT shows this kind of hand (it is not practical for it to be natural or Blackwood). Partner will pick his best/longest minor. (Note: For experienced players, if the opening is 4 and you takeout partner's double to 4NT you are showing any 2 suits -- not necessarily both minors).
2. Their responder acts after the takeout double.
What if the auction starts:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | 3 | ?? |
South now has the option of passing with a bad hand. So, if he bids (say 3), he is showing values. A "freebid" shows about 8-11 points. What if South doubles? I recommend playing that as "responsive." This means "not penalty." It is card/value showing. For a double on the auction shown, South might have:
K32
32
K1087
AJ54
Even if their raise is to game (say 4 on the auction above), double is still not "penalty" and would be the correct call with the hand just given.
3. Lebensohl.
This is a convention that most experts use. I recommend it only for very experienced players with good memories. It works like this:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | Pass | 2NT* |
The 2NT bid is conventional (and alertable). It does not mean that South wants to play in 2NT. It means (usually) that he has a weak hand. It requests that the doubler bid 3. The 2NT bidder can then pass (to play in 3) or correct to 3 or 3 to play there. With a better hand, he bids directly on the 3 level (without going through 2NT first). There are many finer points and variations to this convention--this is just the basic overview.
The downside of Lebensohl is that the partner of the doubler can no longer bid 2NT natural.
For the purpose of this quiz, assume you are NOT playing Lebensohl.
You might also consider getting Larry's book on Doubles and Redoubles HERE or try Michael's Doubles Webinar which you can find HERE.
With both sides vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | Pass | ?? |
What is your call with:
KJ2
876
AJ5
J654
Pass
2NT
3
3NT
4
With both sides vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | 3 | ?? |
What is your call with:
32
876
AKJ5
K654
Pass
Double
3NT
4
4
4NT
5
5
With both sides vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | 4 | ?? |
What is your call with:
2
76
AKJ52
KJ654
Pass
Double
4NT
5
5
With both sides vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | 3 | ?? |
What is your call with:
Q8632
87
J52
654
Pass
Double
3
4
With both sides vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | Pass | ?? |
What is your call with:
32
KQ76
K1052
J87
Pass
3
3
4
With East-West vulnerable, you are South in this auction:
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
2 | Double | 3 | ?? |
AQJ10
32
9876
543
What is your call?
Pass
Double
3NT
4
Other