BIDDING BASICS: DOUBLES [Part 5]

Larry Cohen continues his all-encompassing series on Doubles.

Subtract three. That’s this month’s motto. Every range will be reduced by 3 HCP. When we are in balancing seat (if we pass, the auction is over), the requirements for a takeout double are lowered. When our pass would leave the opponents in a partscore, we try a bit harder to compete for the contract.