Responding to Takeout X

Responding when the opponents open the bidding and your partner makes a takeout double is a time when many players have difficulty describing their hands. We will explore a common auction in some detail to help you understand how to describe different types of hands. Auction: 1 - X - Pass - ?? (You) 1 = 4+ Diamonds, 0-7 HCP 1 = 3+ Hearts, 0-7 HCP 1 = 3+ Spades, 0-7 HCP 1N = stopper, 7-10 HCP 2 = Artificial Cuebid, 12+ HCP, Game Forcing 2 = 4+ Diamonds 8-11 HCP 2 = 4+ Hearts, 8-11 HCP 2 = 4+ Spades, 8-11 HCP 2N = stopper, no 4-card major, 11-12 HCP 3N = 2+ stoppers, no 4-card major 13-15 HCP

Dlr: E	A 7 6 5
Vul: None	J 7 6
	A 5 4
	6 4 2
J 4 3		Q 2
10 5 2		K 9 8
J 10 6		Q 3 2
Q J 10 3		A K 9 8 5
	K 10 9 8
	A Q 4 3
	K 9 8 7
	7

East	South	West	North
	Partner		You
1	X	Pass	2
All pass