RESPONSES TO OPENINGS OF 1§


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. Minimum point requirements are even higher for bidding after an interfering bid.

Responses are classified as responses to with no interference and with 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§    1¨
1NT  2ª
1©/1ª 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 1ª 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©/2ª 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©/3ª This is a splinter bid, forcing to game in 5§ normally. The suit bid shows a singleton or void, there should be nice 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©/4ª These are essentially pre-emptive bids with a 7+ card suit and 10+ HCP. With any perceived chance of 3NT (rather than 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.  

 

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 (but what do 4¨ and 5¨ mean?) 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©/1ª 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 1ª, 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 (i.e. 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 (but what do 4 and 5 in the opponent's suit mean?) 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©/2ª 5-card suit with 10+ DP
3¨/3©/3ª 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 (i.e. 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.