Advancing a Takeout Double

Advancing the Overcaller’s takeout double

The Advancer’s hand (strength and distribution), the Responder’s bid, and both partnerships’ vulnerability determine the Advancer’s bid.

When Responder passes, and Advancer has:

• 0-8 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 4+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to pass when opponents are vulnerable, Advancer has 5+ cards in opponent’s trump suit, and Advancer expects to set the opponent’s contract by at least 2 tricks.
• 9-11 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to jump bid in a 4+ card suit (invite Overcaller to game)
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to pass when opponents are vulnerable, Advancer has 5+ cards in opponents trump suit, and Advancer expects to set the opponent’s contract by at least 2 tricks.
• 12+ total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid game in 5+ card major suit
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to Q-bid opponent’s suit (force Overcaller to game).

When Responder raises Opener’s suit, and Advancer has:

• 0-5 total points, Advancer passes
• 6-8 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 5+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to pass.
• 9-11 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 5+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to double (responsive double)
  • Advancer’s 3^rd choice is to pass.
• 12+ total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid game in 5+ card major suit
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to bid 3NT with a stopper in opponent’s suit
  • Advancer’s 3^rd choice is to Q-bid opponent’s suit (force Overcaller to game).

When Responder bids a new suit, and Advancer has:

• 0-5 total points, Advancer passes
• 6-8 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 5+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to pass.
• 9-11 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 5+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to double (responsive double).
• 12+ total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid game in 5+ card major suit
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to bid 3NT with a stopper in both opponent suits
  • Advancer’s 3^rd choice is to Q-bid opponent’s suit (force Overcaller to game).

When Responder bids NT, and Advancer has:

• 0-5 total points, Advancer passes
• 6-8 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 4+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to pass
• 9-11 total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid a 4+ card suit at the lowest possible level
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to double (responsive double).
• 12+ total points, then
  • Advancer’s 1^st choice is to bid game in 5+ card major suit
  • Advancer’s 2^nd choice is to Q-bid Opener’s suit (force Overcaller to game)
  • Advancer’s 3rd choice is to bid 3NT with a stopper in Opener’s suit.