Comments: My partner's opening was weak, Acol style. We have an agreement to cope with 2 level overcalls, but not 3 level. I passed, not wanting to double in case it was thought to be for penalties. Our opponents made 3D but we could have made 3H or 4S, as my partner held 4 of both. How should we have bid the hand?

And Peter's Response:

Hi Wendy,

When the opponents open the bidding or overcall at whatever level, your partnership needs to have clear agreements as to how to keep the bidding alive. Double has to be defined as either takeout or penalty.

Double for penalty is useful if partner's hand has already been described in regard to distributional and hand strength. e.g. If partner opens a pre-emptive 3D which is overcalled with 3S, your double would be penalty since partner is known to have a very long diamond suit and a weak hand.

The values you need to double will vary according to vulnerability as the expected strength of partner's hand will relate to that. When partner's hand is not closely defined, takeout is a much more useful meaning for the double.

The values you need to make the bid will depend on the level of the bidding and the already known strength of partner's hand. e.g. Opponents open the bidding 4D and you double. This ought to be takeout as partner's hand is unknown.

Similarly, partner opens 1C, next player bids 2S and you double. This is takeout as partner's hand has not been closely defined.

When partner opens 1NT partner's hand, while fairly closely defined as to overall strength, is a mystery in regards to shape within the balanced framework and the location of honours. Therefore, double is best played as takeout.

After the takeout double the NT opener can always elect to pass with a suitable hand, i.e. one with plenty of trumps.

In respect of the hand you gave me a double for takeout is eminently sensible as your known combined strength is good enough to play a contract at the three level.

You would then pass whatever bid partner chooses to make as you do not have any values over and above the promised 10 or 11 required to play at the 3 level opposite a weak 1NT.

Partner should generally refrain from bidding 3NT as you are strongly suggesting a suit contract.