If your partner has opened 1♣ (the most common opening), his/her distribution could be almost anything. It is very important to find out more about that distribution, and in particular, to see if a fit in a major suit can be found.
The first requirement for a response is to have 6 DP or more for a response at the 1 level, and 10+ DP for a minimum response at the 2 level (except for the 3♣ response). Minimum point requirements are even higher for bidding after an interfering bid.
Responses are classified as responses to with no interference and with interference.
Responses to a 1♣ Opening with no Interference
| Your bid | Requirements | Comments |
| 1♦ | This is a forcing bid showing
(a) one or two major suits exactly 4 cards long; and/or (b) a diamond suit 5+ cards long |
With 5-4 in the majors, it is usually better to show the 5-card major
suit first. However, with 10+ DP, you may bid 1♦ at first, to allow for bidding as follows: 1♦ - 1NT - 2♥/2♠ |
| 1♥/1♠ | This is a forcing bid showing a 5+ card major suit. You may have 4 cards in the other major. | With 5-5 or 6-6 in the majors, bid 1♠ with 6-9 DP, and 1♥ with 10+ DP. With two unequal majors (6-5, 7-5, 7-6 or 8-5) bid the longer suit first. |
| 1NT | Denies a 4-card major suit or longer (4+), and promises 5-9 HCP. Should have a balanced or semi-balanced distribution. | |
| 2♣ | This is a forcing bid showing at least 5 clubs, and no 4+ card major. Promises 9+ HCP. Called an inverted minor single raise. | An excellent way to decide between NT and minor-suit contracts. |
| 2♦/2♥/2♠ | These are all forcing bids (essentially to game). They promise nice 5+ card suits. Minimum points: 16 HCP. | |
| 2NT | Denies a 4-card major suit or longer (4+), and promises 10-11 HCP. Should have a balanced or semi-balanced distribution. | |
| 3♣ | This is a pre-emptive bid, showing 5-card support for clubs and no more than 8 HCP. Lower point limit is determined by vulnerability. No 4+ card major suit. | A complementary bid to the 2♣ inverted minor raise. |
| 3♦/3♥/3♠ | This is a splinter bid, normally forcing to game. The suit bid shows a singleton or void, good 5-card support for clubs and 13+ HCP. No 4+ card major. | |
| 3NT | The usual bid with 12+ HCP, no 4+ card major and well-distributed points. | |
| 4♣ | Forcing to 5♣ at least. Good 5+ card club support, no 4+ card major, 16+ SP and at least 3 MCCs. | A strong slam try. |
| 4♦/4♥/4♠ | These are essentially pre-emptive bids with a 7+ card suit and 10+ HCP. | With any perceived chance of 3NT (rather than 4♥, 4♠, 5♦ or slam), other bids should be made. |
| 4NT | Blackwood. Very strong try for 6♣ or 6NT. | All you care about is how many Aces opener has. |
| 5♣ | You have the long suit and the points to play a game contract, but no more than 2 MCC. |
Responses to a 1♣ Opening after Interference
| RHO action | Your bid | Requirements | Comments |
| Double | Pass | Generally with 0-7 DP. | See below. |
| Redouble | This takes the place of the 1? forcing response. Should have one or two 4-card majors, and 8+ DP. | ||
| 1♦ | 8+ DP and a 5+ card diamond suit. No 4-card major. Forcing. | You may lie a bit with a nice 5-card suit, and bid it with 5-6 DP. | |
| All other bids | Same as above, but should have 8+ DP. | You may lie a bit with a nice 5-card suit, and bid it with 5-6 DP. | |
| 1♦ | Pass | Generally with 0-7 DP. | |
| Double | This takes the place of the 1♦ forcing response. Should have one or two 4-card majors, and 8+ DP. | ||
| 1NT/2NT/3NT | 8-9/10-11/12+ HCP but with some diamond control. No 4-card major. | ||
| 2♦ | Cue-bid showing a very strong hand with 5+ clubs support and good control of diamonds. Forcing. | ||
| Most other bids | Same as above, but should have 8+ DP. | You may lie a bit with a nice 5-card suit, and bid it with 5-6 DP. | |
| 1♥/1♠ | Pass | Generally with 0-7 DP. | |
| Double | This takes the place of the 1♦ forcing response (and equivalent to the "negative double"). Should have 4 cards in the unbid major, and 8+ DP. If RHO bids 1?, a double can even mean 5 hearts and 8-9 HCP (as you should not go to the 2 level with <10 points). | ||
| 1NT/2NT/3NT | 8-9/10-11/12+ HCP but with some control of opponent's suit. No 4 cards in the unbid major. | ||
| Cue-bid (e.g. 2♥ over 1♥) | Shows a very strong hand (13+ SP) with 5+ club support and good control of opponent's suit. Forcing. | ||
| Most other bids | Same as above, but should have 8+ DP. | ||
| 1NT | Pass | Generally with 0-9 DP. | |
| Double | This takes the place of the 1♦ forcing response. Should have one or two 4-card majors, and 10+ DP. | ||
| 2NT/3NT | 10-11/12+ HCP. No 4-card major. | You are a brave player! | |
| 2♦/2♥/2♠ | 5-card suit with 10+ DP | ||
| 3♦/3♥/3♠ | 5-card suit with 16+ HCP | Now, let me see. Your partner promises 13+ HCP, you have 16+ and so does the RHO. Someone is lying! | |
| All other bids | Same as above | ||
| Other interference bids | Pass | If you are not strong enough to bid something or double. | |
| Double | (a) At the 2-level this takes the place of the 1♦ forcing
response. Should have one or two unbid 4-card major(s), and 10+ DP. (b) At the 3-level or above, it should normally be for penalties. |
||
| Club support | Bid your strength if you can, otherwise pass or double. You should have 5+ clubs and 10-12 SP for 3♣, 13-14 for 4♣ and 15+ for 5♣. | ||
| Cue-bid (e.g. 1♣ - 1♥ - 2♥) | Shows a very strong hand (13+ SP at the 3-level, 15+ SP at the 4-level) with 5+ club support and good control of opponent's suit. Forcing. | ||
| New suit at minimum level | 5-card suit and enough strength to bid at the level required. Unless already at game, forcing. | ||
| New suit with jump shift | 5-card suit and wishing to show extra strength. Unless already at game, forcing. | ||
| NT bids | Enough strength to bid at the level required. Opponent's suit is controlled. |
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