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If your partner has opened 1¨
(less common than 1§), you know much more about
his/her distribution than if the opening had been 1§. Finding a major fit is still
important, but it is more likely that your partner has a long diamond suit.
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©/1ª |
This is a forcing bid showing a 4+ card major suit. You may
also have 4 cards in the other major. |
With 4-4 in the majors, bid 1© first. With 5-5 or 6-6 in the majors,
bid 1ª with 6-9 DP, and 1© with 10+ DP. With two unequal majors (5-4, 6-4, 6-5, 7-4, 7-5,
7-6 etc.) 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. |
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| 2§ |
Forcing bid, showing 10+ HCP and at
least a 4-card (but normally 5+) suit. |
|
| 2©/2ª/3§ |
These are forcing bids (essentially to game). They promise
nice 5+ card suits. Minimum points: 16 HCP. |
|
| 2¨ |
This is a forcing bid showing at least 5 diamonds, 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. |
| 2NT |
Denies a 4-card major suit or longer (4+), and promises 10-11 HCP.
Should have a balanced or semi-balanced distribution. |
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| 3¨ |
This is a pre-emptive bid, showing 5-card support for diamonds 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©/3ª/4§ |
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 diamonds and
13+ HCP. No 4+ card major. |
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| 3NT |
The usual bid with 12+ HCP, no 4+ card major and well-distributed
points. |
|
| 4¨ |
Forcing to 5¨
at least. Good 5+ card diamond support, no 4+
card major, 16+ SP and at least 3 MCCs. |
A strong slam try. |
| 4©/4ª |
These are essentially pre-emptive bids with a 7+ card suit and 10+
HCP. |
With any perceived chance of
3NT (rather than 5©,
5ª 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 enables you to ask for 4-card majors. Should have
one or two 4-card majors, and 8+ DP. |
|
| 1©/1ª |
8+ DP and a 5+ card suit. Forcing. |
You may lie a bit with a nice 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©/1ª |
Pass |
Generally with 0-7 DP. |
|
| Double |
This is the "negative double", asking for a
4-card major. 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). Forcing. |
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| 1NT/2NT/3NT |
8-9/10-11/12+ HCP but with some control of opponent's
suit. No 4 cards in the unbid major. |
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| Cue-bid (i.e. 2© over 1©) |
Shows a very strong hand (13+ SP) with 5+ diamond support
and good control of opponent's suit. Forcing. |
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| 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. |
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| Double |
Asks for a 4-card major. Should have one or two 4-card
majors, and 10+ DP. |
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| 2NT/3NT |
10-11/12+ HCP. No 4-card major. |
You are a brave player! |
| 2§/2©/2ª |
5-card suit with 10+ DP |
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| 3§/3©/3ª |
5-card suit with 16+ HCP |
Now, let me see. Your partner has 13 HCP, you 16+ and so
does the RHO. Someone is lying! |
| All other bids |
Same as above |
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| Other interference bids |
Pass |
If you are not strong enough to bid something or double. |
|
| Double |
(a) At the 2-level this is a negative double, asking for
an unbid 4-card major. 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. |
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| Diamond support |
Bid your strength if you can, otherwise pass or double.
You should have 5+ diamonds and 10-12 SP for 3¨, 13-14 for 4¨ and 15+ for 5¨. |
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| 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+ diamond support and good control of opponent's suit. Forcing. |
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| New suit at minimum level |
5-card suit and enough strength to bid at the level
required. Unless already at game, forcing. |
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| New suit with jump shift |
5-card suit and wishing to show extra strength. Unless
already at game, forcing. |
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| NT bids |
Enough strength to bid at the level required. Opponent's
suit is controlled. |
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