´ K J 4 2 ´ A 10 8 3
™ A 5 4 ™ K Q 8 2
t K J 10 4 2 t 5 3
® 5 ® 9 7 2
16 English Bridge February 2016 www.ebu.co.uk
As is often the case, neither answer is 'correct'
because this is purely a matter of agreement. When
Acol was first developed, a double was only "takeout"
when it was the first (non-pass) action by
either player. All other doubles - including this one
- were penalties. Today most tournament players
agree to play many more take-out doubles. This
AS IS often the case, neither answer is 'correct'
because this is purely a matter of agreement. When
Acol was first developed, a double was only 'takeout'
when it was the first (non-pass) action by either
player. All other doubles - including this one - were
penalties. Today most tournament players agree to
play many more take-out doubles. This sequence is
one where double is called 'responsive'.
What is a 'responsive' double?
Suppose your left hand opponents open the bidding
at the one or two level, partner doubles, and right
hand opponent raises to the two or three level:
1´ - Dbl - 2´ - ?
1® - Dbl - 3® - ?
2™ - Dbl - 3™ - ?
A double now says simply 'I have some high cards
but I don't have an obvious suit to bid'. It is far
more likely that you have one of these hands than a
strict penalty double, and double lets you avoid
guessing which suit to bid.
Here we have an example of hands where East
will bid 3™ without the use of the responsive
double, and the better spade fit will be lost:
Mr Ashley Nicklin writes
Can you do a second take-out double? One
each?
Against a weak two opening the bidding went
2™-double (take-out)-3™-? to me. I had a 3-14-5
distribution in that order. With four spades
I would have bid 3´ instantly. Not knowing
partner's shape I doubled instead for my
partner to do a continued take-out. My partner
was told my bid should have been considered as
penalties, there is no such thing as a secondary
take-out and I should have bid clubs! Please can
you advise which is correct and why?
South West North East
1® Dbl 3® Dbl1
Pass 3t2 Pass 3™2
Pass 3´3 Pass Pass4
Pass
1 Responsive - two or more possible places to play
2 Lowest suit
3 I don't have hearts, but I do have spades
4 Finally we have found our fit
Bidding at a minimum level after the double is nonforcing,
as the initial objective is to find a fit and
compete the part-score. With a strong hand, cuebid
or jump. Assume that the responsive doubler
has a decent 8 or 9 count if they may have to play at
the three level; a little less at the two level. The hand
below provides an example:
South West North East
1® Dbl 3® Dbl
Pass 4®1 Pass 4™
Pass 4´ All Pass
1 I've got a good hand, bid your lowest 4-card suit
What does the double say about the other major?
Many pairs get no further than agreeing
'responsive doubles' but it is a good idea to discuss
how many cards in the other major the double of a
major shows. Some like to say that 'If I've got
Responsive doubles by Frances Hinden
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´ K Q 4 2 ´ A 10 8 3
™ A 5 2 ™ K Q 8 3
t A K 10 4 2 t 5 3
® 5 ® 9 7 2
W E