Partner DOUBLES

Playing matchpoints. You are not vulnerable and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠J7
♥T732
♦J9
♣T8764

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♥. Partner says "Double". Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

2♣.

Yeah. You have a TERRIBLE hand. But you MUST bid. Partner is FORCING you to bid with their TAKE OUT DOUBLE.

You must bid your LONGEST suit that is not the Opponent's suit!

You can jump to show values but you do not have any values.

Bidding 2♣ says "♣ is my longest suit (not including ♥) and I do not have a very good hand at all. In fact I could have zero points!"

Can you ever "Pass" a Take Out Double? Yes you can but you need both LENGTH and STRENGTH in the suit being Doubled. Here you have neither!

P.S. If you "Pass" because you do not have any points the Opponents play in 1♥ Doubled. They take 11 tricks. Not good for you at all!