What’s your call?
| 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT | ||
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Pass | Dbl |
Scorer Karen Walker points out that the standard, aka “dinosaur,” meaning for double here is penalty. The modern consensus, however, seems to be that double here is takeout.
Weinstein leads off for Team Takeout: “Double has the advantage of allowing us to reach the right strain, including 3♦ doubled and 3NT. I might bid 4♦ if I were 5–5 in the majors or had less defense.”
Hampson agrees. “We need to be able to find our best strain, and this still allows partner to judge to defend with a magic holding. Two aces can’t be a disappointment if it goes ‘all pass.’”
Lee calls his double a bit uncomfortable, “but 3♥ and 4♦ both seem too committal.”
Sanborn feels no discomfort. “Partner can hear the bidding, and I don’t think it will go ‘all pass’ unless that’s the right spot.”
Boehm shares some of Walker’s qualms. “This is not penalty under the gun when they’ve bid and raised, but is it pure takeout, or ‘cards’ – the omnibus D(o) S(omething) I(ntelligent) double with undefined distribution that transfers all headaches to partner? Guess which treatment I prefer.”
Falk doesn’t mind if partner leaves his takeout double in. “He won’t do that without a lot of diamond values, in which case my two aces will be quite useful. The fifth heart is nice, but no number of hearts is right – nor is 4♦ , because I have clubs.”
Double by Meckstroth. “Negative (takeout).”
Double by the Sutherlins. “Cardshowing. Only partner knows if her hand is offensive, ♦ A x x, or defensive, ♦ Q J x x.”
Meyers says that she likes to play that double is a transfer to hearts, but she isn’t sure that’s Bridge-Bulletin acceptable. (Nope, it’s not). “At a minimum, I think my double would be takeout.”
Rigal says he bids 4♦ asking for a stopper for 3NT. “4♦ is not a Texas transfer. A skip bid, e.g., 4♦ over 3♣, would be hearts. But this sequence is just two- or three-suited with a void in diamonds. I don’t think I should double for takeout.”
Stack contemplates all the consequences of his 4♦ . “If partner has a four-card major, we are in heaven. If partner is 3–3 in the majors, then he will bid 4♥ and we are still in heaven. If partner is 3–2, then he will bid 4♠, and the wrong hand will be taking the diamond taps and we might be in hell.”
Kennedy calls her 4♦ “a takeout for anything, preferably the majors.” 4♦ is Robinson’s call. “Let partner decide where we’re playing it.”
Cohen prefers 3♥. “I expect this is forcing and gives partner a chance to show a four-card spade suit, raise or bid 3NT (which I would reluctantly pass).”
So does Colchamiro. “3♥ is surely forcing here and leaves all roads open. Am I missing something?”
