up to the level of 4 is takeout, while doubles on higher levels are for penalties or "cooperative" (i.e. the partner is supposed to pass unless his distribution and/or strength indicates that playing a contract of their own on a higher level is a better prospect). However an alternative is to play takeout doubles even higher for several reasons: It is rare to hold a "true" penalty double (length and strength in opponent's suit) With highly distributional hands it is possible for both sides to have a making game Usually the preemptive bid is designed to be sacrifice (in the expectation that the penalty score will be less than the score for the making game or slam) Sometimes a “shape” double can be made on less than 12 HCP and can be made with 9+ HCP but requires 4 cards in all unbid suits (if only 1 suit bid by opponents) or 5–4 in unbid suits (if 2 suits already bid by opponents) Examples Responses Opponents pass If the RHO passes, the advancer (the doubler's partner) is forced to bid and should make a descriptive bid indicating suit length, high-card strength and any stoppers: Showing the shape: With a longest suit bid this With 2 suits of equal length but different rank (1 major and 1 minor) favour the major suit (as this will typically score better whether in a part-score, game or slam) With 2 suits of equal length and rank bid the stronger suit With 3 suits of 4 cards bid the (better) major With a balanced hand and at least 1 stopper in the opponent's suit bid notrump With an opening strength hand and no clear strain, a cue bid of opponents' suit is often used to set up a game forcing auction and asking doubler to describe their hand When advancer's best suit is the opponent's suit, the takeout double can be passed for penalties and this is described in more detail below Showing the strength when bidding a suit: 0-8 HCP - bid at the lowest available level in a suit (an expression sometimes used is "no more than an Ace and a King) 9-11 HCP make a jump-bid 12+ HCP jump to game, or if the strain is unclear, a cue bid of opponents' suit is often used to set up a game forcing auction and asking doubler to describe their hand Showing the