When partner opens the bidding and the opponent makes a takeout double, we need to know how to deal with this interference. We first want to consider what is likely to happen in the remainder of the auction. If we have just a few values (minimum hand, less than 10 HCP) then this will likely continue to be a competitive auction – with us having about half the values in the deck and the opponents having about half. In a competitive auction, it becomes important that we are able to show our suits (and find our fits) quickly so that we can effectively compete in the bidding. Thus, we want to construct a system that will allow us to do this!

How to respond to a takeout double is an important topic to discuss with your partner, but a discussion that most partnerships forget to have for many years.  The question that you need to ask partner is “What do my bids mean in response to your takeout double?”  

2 Over 1 Game Forcing (2/1 GF) bids are the core of a modern approach to bidding.  The primary idea is that when partner opens at the 1-level and we bid a new suit at the 2-level (not including jump shifts), this is a game forcing bid – meaning neither Opener nor Responder can pass below game.  This allows both players to confidently describe their hands – knowing that all their bids are forcing and they won’t get “dropped” before reaching game.