We had an online discussion earlier today about how to respond to a take-out double of a minor when holding both majors. I respond 1
, at least that's my thought if the hand has adequate strength so that I am willing to later bid 2
.
This of course is at odds with what you would normally do if partner opened 1m and Rho passed. But these are different auctions.
Let's first look at that more basic case where partner opens 1m, rho passes, and you are 4-4 in the majors. Partner might fit neither major, or one major, or both majors. So you bid 1
and partner can raise or bid 1
, either way you find your major fit if you have one.
But now we look at (1m)-X-(Pass)-?. Now this time, when you hold both majors, it is to be expected that opener has at least one major. But he won't always have four cards in both majors. With, say, say4/3, one way or the other and decent values he might well make a take out double. But the logic from the uncontested auction does not apply. If you bid 1
and he has four spades and three hearts, he will not bid 1
over your 1
. I bid 1
. Of course if he has four hearts and three spades I am in a 4-3 fit but the auction seldom dies at 1 1S. At my next opportunity, if I can, I bid 2
. This seems quite safe. If partner has four spades he will take me back to spades. If he does not have four spades then he is almost certain to have four hearts. He leaves me in hearts.
I am a believer in going to written sources so I tried but did not find much discussion of this simple idea in books or online. Finally I tried the Bridge Encyclopedia, Sixth edition. They agree with me. On page 510 they give the hand Axxx / Kxxx / xxx / xx and recommend a response of 1
to a take out double, later bidding hearts if possible. This assumes of course that the hand lacks the strength to simply bid 2m in response to the double of 1m.
If anyone has any other references I would be happy to hear of them. This comes up from time to time and often my choice of 1
is seen as eccentric. To me it seems logical, but so far the Encyclopedia is the only reference I can find that weighs in on it at all.
To be concrete, here is a hand:
are xx, the
are AQxx and the majors are KQxx and Kxx in one order or the other. Your right hand opponent opens 1
. Surely you make a take out double. Suppose partner is 4-4 in the majors, and responds to your X. I claim that, playing my way, you will likely find your major suit fit regardless of whether it is in hearts or spades. For example, 1
- X - Pass - 1
- 2
- Pass - Pass- 2
is one possible auction. But if, instead, I respond 1
, and you your majors are
Kxx and
KQxx, just how do we find that spade fit?
