1. What am I supposed to do when the auction takes off after partner’s takeout double?
2. What do experienced players do in these situations?
Here is a common auction with you as South:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♥ | Dbl | 3♥ | ? |
First question. What do you expect the 3♥ bidder to have? The correct way to play a jump raise after a takeout double is weak and preemptive. A typical 3♥ bid should look something like this:
♠ 7 4 ♥ K 8 7 3 ♦ 7 48 ♣ Q 9 8 7 3
This hand has four trumps (a minimum number for a weak jump) and is in the requisite 4-6 high-card-point range with a little distribution. The reason for the jump is to make life harder on the opponents.
If you have a normal limit raise, you can show it in one of two ways. You can redouble and raise at your next turn, or you can bid 2NT, a conventional agreement. If you are using this convention, 2NT after RHO doubles partner’s major shows a limit raise or better with four or more trumps.
It is not my intention to dwell on conventions, however. I want you to know how more experienced players handle this kind of competitive bidding.
Here are five hands for South in the following auction (no one is vulnerable):
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♦ | Dbl | 3♦ | ? |
Reminder: Life will be tougher when your opponents are bidding spades because you have to go up an extra level in the bidding if you wish to compete.
1. ♠ A J 7 3 ♥ K 2 ♦ 7 6 2 ♣ 9 8 6 2
2. ♠ Q 10 6 3 ♥ 4 2 ♦ 8 7 2 ♣ A Q J 2
3. ♠ 7 2 ♥ K 10 7 6 3 ♦ 5 2 ♣ Q 8 7 3
4. ♠ 6 3 ♥ Q 3 ♦ 10 7 3 ♣ A Q 10 9 8 3
5. ♠ Q 7 6 3 ♥ Q 7 6 ♦ J 3 ♣ K 7 6 3