One way to enter the bidding after the opponents Open is to Overcall.
A second way is to make a Takeout Double.
When they open and you double it does not mean you expect to defeat the contract,
but rather that you want your partner to bid.
There are three types of Takeout double, each explained below.
- opening hand strength, at least 12 points
- no more than two cards in the opponent's suit
- at least three cards in each of the other suits
- you must bid, so in general you name your best suit
- 0-9 points : bid your suit at the lowest possible level
- 10-11 points : make a jump bid in your suit
- 8-11 points : bid Notrump if you have good stopper(s) in opponent's suit
- 12+ points : cue-bid the opponent's suit to inform partner you have opening hand
- special case : with a pretty good hand and at least 5 of opponent's suit may pass.
This in effect turns partner's double into a penalty double, so be sure you can defeat the contract.
- add your points to the points partner has shown
- if you are sure there are not enough points for game, pass partner's bid
- if there MAY be enough points for game, raise partner's bid
- if you are sure there are enough points for game, bid it
- if partner cue-bids, you are forced to game so bid your best suit
- at least 17 points and a good 5+ card suit
- this is just a method of Overcalling with a hand too strong for a regular overcall
- whatever partner bids, you will then bid your suit to describe your hand
- 19-21 points and good stopper(s) in opponents suit
- this is the next step up from the 1NT Overcall which shows 15-18 points
- partner should proceed just as if you have opened 2NT