Takeout Double

The takeout double is a double that asks partner to bid one of the unbid suits. The double usually shows 11+ points and 3+ cards in each unbid suit. Some basic examples:

South A532 KQJ5 AT93 7

West     Pass North     Pass East      1 South     Dbl 1 (1) Takeout double, asking partner to bid diamonds, hearts or spades — whichever suit he has the greatest length and strength in.

AQ32 K4 AT973 72

West      1 North     Pass East      1 South     Dbl 1 (1) Takeout double, asking partner to bid diamonds or spades.

A532 KJT5 6 KQT3

West      1 North     Pass East      1NT South     Dbl 1 (1) Not for penalty; asks partner to bid clubs, hearts or spades.

Takeout doubles can also be made with strong one-suited hands (16+ points):

AKQ32 A4 KQ3 752

West      1 Pass North     Pass 1 East     Pass Pass South     Dbl 1 1 2 (1) Takeout double. (2) A new suit by the doubler shows a strong one-suited hand. However, this is not forcing.

After hearing a takeout double from partner, the following actions are available.

Response	Meaning
Pass	Converts the takeout double into a penalty double. At the one- and two-levels of bidding, Pass shows a very strong trump holding, general values, and no biddable suit. A low-level Pass should never be made on a weak hand that wants to be excused from bidding. It especially should not be made on a weak hand with a handful of little trumps. At higher auction levels, the Pass can be based more on points and/or flat shape.
A "cheapest-level" suit response	Natural, 3+ cards (usually 4+ cards) and 0-9 points. Not forcing.
A jump shift in a suit	Natural, 4+ cards and 10-12 points. Not forcing.
A double jump shift in a suit	In response to a double at the 1-level, this is weak, 6+ card suit and 6-8 points. Not forcing. Note that some partnerships may play this as strong.
A "cheapest-level" no-trump bid	Natural, balanced, 7-10 HCP. Promises a stopper in the enemy suit. Tends to deny a biddable 4-card major.
A jump shift in no-trumps	Natural, balanced, 11-12 HCP. Otherwise, see above.
3NT	Balanced with a stopper in the opponents' suit(s), signoff. Opposite a 1-level takeout double, this shows roughly 13-15 HCP.
Cue-bid	10+ points, artificial and forcing. Typically unbalanced without a better alternative bid. Some may play this stronger, showing a game-forcing 12+ points. Doubler's rebids are natural.

Ranges vary slightly by partnership, but this is in the ballpark of common practice.

If your right-hand opponent bids over partner's double, then any "free" bid shows 6+ points and at least a 4-card suit. If the takeout double is redoubled, all bids are natural but jump suit bids become preemptive, showing at least 5 cards and 0-8 points.

How high to play takeout doubles is a matter of partnership agreement. Many partnerships play takeout doubles through the 3-level, and then "optional" or penalty doubles beyond that.