Responses to takeout doubles

Responses to takeout doubles
Your Partner who has just overcalled with a takeout double may have anything from 12HCP to more than 20HCP. You are obliged to respond unless... the 3rd seat player makes a bid.

If he doesn't bid, you must give your best suit even if you have 0HCP! This is the mandatory response to a takeout double.
If the 3rd seat player has bid, you must still give your best suit if you have at least 5-6HCP. This is a voluntary response to the takeout double.

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Problem E4868 The 3rd seat player has bid 2♣ so you can choose to bid or not. Your ♥ are good enough to bid. A voluntary response to a takeout double promises 5-7HCP.

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Problem E4869 The 3rdseat player has passed so you are obliged to make a bid. One ♥ here, which doesn't promise much!

The NT response:
This guarantee a stopper in the opener's suit and denies a 4-card major.

With 7-9HCP: 1NT
With 10-11HCP: 2NT

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Problem E4875 1NT with 7-10HCP and a ♦ stopper

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Problem E4876 2 NT with 11HCP and a ♦ stopper. Denies a 4-card major and proposes game

Obligatory response
Your Partner who has just overcalled can have anything from 12HCP to more than 20HCP. The opener's Partner hasn't bid so you are obliged to bid:

with a very weak hand you give your best suit at the lowest level (even with zero HCP!)
with a stronger hand (8-10HCP)
- you must bid your 4-card suit with a jump
- and your 5-card suit with a double jump.
Without a 4-card major and with stoppers in the opener's suit, look for a NT contract.

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Problem E4920 2PIThe 3rd seat player passed so you have to bid your best suit. No hesitating here, spades are best and with less than 8HCP, you bid at the lowest level: 1♠.

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ProblemE4869 The 3rd seat player passed and you have to bid. 1♥ here, which doesn't promise much!

Voluntary response
Your Partner who has just overcalled can have from 12HCP to over 20HCP.
The 3rd seat player bid so you only respond if you have something to say!

Give your best suit at the lowest level with 5-7HCP.
With a stronger hand jump 1 or 2 levels to indicate length.
Without a 4-card major and with stoppers in the opener's suit, bid 2 or 3NT.

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Problem E4877 Take no risks with 4HCP totally ineffective.

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Problem E5087 2♠ A simple jump with 9HCP and a 4 card suit.

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Detail specifications 41FA - Level 1 ★

Responses to takeout doubles

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