M J Bridge
♦
♠
♥
♣
Bidding
The take-
covers a number of situations, but the underlying rule is that its primary purpose is to show shape.
I firmly believe that many partnerships will be able to add greatly to their bidding repertoire by refining their use of the take-
I have included a number of sequences even for the near-
Note that those who do double on the hand above will probably rebid 1NT over a 1♠ response.
Again, this is a workable method but you will find yourself with no way of showing a strong (say 19+ point) no trump overcall.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K T 9 6
7 6 3
J 3
K Q 8
Opponents opened 1♥.
The first message given by a take-
Bid 1♠. It is limited as we shall see, but it does not deny opening values.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K T 9 6
K 7 6 3
J 3
Q 8
Opponents opened 1♦.
At one time everyone would have doubled on this hand, showing the opening strength and bringing both majors into play. Modern style is to bid 1♠ -
You may get a further opportunity to double in search for a heart fit.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 9 6
7
T 9 5 3
A J 6 4
Opponents opened 1♥.
Only eleven points, and not an opening hand, but the shape is perfect for take-
Double.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 6
9 7
T 9 5 3
A Q 6 4
Opponents opened 1♥.
Twelve points in a balanced hand with a doubleton in the opponents’ suit and only three spades.
I double at pairs, and in other situations with some partners.
Other partnerships might require a little more before entering the fray.
I will suggest two possible variations on this simple rules above, although I stand by the basic concept.
If partner responds to my take-
Too strong for a suit overcall
The definition of too strong for a suit overcall is one of the most significant changes from an earlier time.
As indicated above the requirement for a ‘strong’ hand when overcalling used to be ‘opening values’. Suit overcalls therefore tended to have a maximum strength somewhere around eleven points.
These days almost all good players will set a higher limit.
In the following I shall a set a top limit of sixteen for a suit overcall, therefore doubling with seventeen or more. This is consistent with the guideline given by EBED (the teaching arm of the ebu) in their beginner’s course.
But having said that many expert partnerships will set the limit even higher.
Suit overcalls on anything up to eighteen points with double and new suit sequences promising nineteen plus are far from unknown. (If anything I have a slight personal preference for one of the higher limits. You will find yourself in the very best of company if you choose to follow such a route.)
Thus:-
a suit overcall will promise at least a good five-
a double followed by a pass will show a three-
a double followed by a bid in a new suit will promise at least a five-
The requirements for a good suit are discussed in new suit at the lowest level.
Note that ‘a hand good enough for an opening bid’ is not in itself sufficient reason to warrant an overcall or a double. In particular hands which would open a weak 1NT will frequently pass rather than overcall.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K J 4
A Q 6
T 9
A Q 6 4
Opponents opened 1♥.
Twenty points in a balanced hand with excellent heart stops.
Double, then rebid in no trumps unless partner introduces the spade suit.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K J T 4
A Q 6
T 9
A 6 4
Opponents opened 1♥.
Eighteen points with an excellent five-
Double, then rebid in spades.
1NT is also possible, but I prefer to bring that spade suit into play as quickly as possible.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 9 6
7
Q T 5 3
A J 6 4
Opponents opened 1♥.
Double.
I will raise 1♠ to the two-
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 9 6
7
A Q J 3
K Q 6 4
Opponents open 1♥.
Double.
I will raise partner’s response of 1♠ or two of a minor to the three-
Of course, if you adopt this approach, then you will have to bid in a more vigorous manner when you do have the stronger holding.
Intermediate and above
Scrambling sequences
My second variation on the simple rule (above) comes in the form of ‘the equal-
This is an example of a scrambling sequence which will help you show some of those 5-
It is discussed on its own page
Beginner and above
Protective seat
The underlying principles in respect of bidding in the protective seat have already been considered under ‘considerations and principles’.
In the present context of an opening bid of one of a suit from LHO followed by two passes you will double on the three-
This is one particular situation in which the old guideline to ‘borrow a king’ applies.
Note that you should not lower your requirements any further than this -
1NT
I have suggested that an overcall of 1NT in the protective seat should show about 11 to 15 (possibly 12 to 15).
The double followed by a rebid in no trumps will therefor show something like 16+ points.
♠
♥
♦
♣
6
Q 9 7 4
K 8 5 2
A T 8 4
Opponents opened 1♠ followed by two passes.
Not strong enough to double in the immediate overcall position, but you must double in the protective seat.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 9 6
K 4
K Q 2
Q T 8 4
Opponents opened 1♠ followed by two passes.
Sixteen points in a balanced hand with an excellent stop in spades.
if you overcall in no trumps on 11 -
Other strong hands
With other strong hands in the protective seat agree whichever of the following two methods you and your partner are most likely to remember:-
either play suit overcalls up to sixteen points and double with 17+ (or as agreed) as in the immediate overcall position,
or limit your suit overcalls to about fourteen points and double first with fifteen or more.
My feeling is that the second option is a clear winner in terms of logic as you now overcall on seriously weak holdings, but by all means stick with the first if you are happier with it.
5-
I have bypassed 5-
5-
The 5-
The problem is addressed on the page 5-
Too strong for 1NT
An overcall of 1NT is typically played on a range of 15 to 18.
With a hand suitable for an overcall in no trumps containing 19 or more points you should double first and then rebid in no trumps.
The shape required for such a sequence will be the same as for a 1NT overcall.
Note that 2NT as an immediate overcall is almost invariably given a conventional meaning.
Hand-
So when do we double?
Short in the opponents’ suit
This is the basic take-
It is also the hand-
Appropriate hands will have no more than two cards in the opponents’ suit and at least three cards in each of the other three suits.
Ideally they will contain a four-
Furthermore, in the immediate overcall position they should be at least in the region of an opening bid.
4-
With this perfect shape I double on slightly less than opening values (perhaps a minimum of ten or eleven) and all points North.
4-
Being balanced they are inevitably rather more defensive in nature. Many pairs will be happy to sit back and defend with these shapes when in the weak no trump range.
At pairs scoring I will double with twelve points and a doubleton in the opponents’ suit so as to introduce a little low-
Some partners -
I have only recently come across the term S.O.S double to describe this type of take-
Certainly it serves a teaching purpose but it is not a standard terminology (I failed to find it in a quick internet search) nor is it one which I like -
The acronym provides a snappy sound bite but a broader introduction to the concept is arguably more helpful in the long run. So, with my sincere thanks to all who give of their time to teach the game, I think it preferable to save the descriptor for the S.O.S. redouble which it describes admirably.
Beginner and above
The second piece of misinformation is the suggestion that any overcall other than double suggests less than opening values.
Many hands are better described by the bid of a suit rather than by a double, even when they contain opening values. This is particularly the case when they contain a decent five-
♠
♥
♦
♣
A 9
A Q 3
Q T 6 3
A K 8 5
Opponents opened 1♥.
If a 1NT overcall shows 15 to 18 (say) and double followed by 1NT does not promise additional values then how do you show this hand?
Double first, planning to rebid 1NT.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A 9
7 6 3
J T 5 3
A K Q 6
Opponents opened 1♥.
You would not hesitate to open this hand, but you do not have a bid in the immediate overcall position.
No five-
Pass. This hand is defensive -
Beginner and above
Old..old..old style
Many beginners are given grossly oversimplified advice regarding the use of an immediate take-
Broadly speaking this dubious advice goes along the lines of ‘If you have an opening hand then you must double -
Not recommended
This page last revised 2nd Feb 2022
Context -
It is oversimplified in two ways.
The first of these is the suggestion that you should always double if you hold an opening hand.
Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
Advancer |
Opener's rebid |
Overcaller's rebid and beyond |
Responder's rebid and beyond |
The continuing auction |