RESPONSES TO OPENINGS OF 1© / 1ª



The first requirement for a response is to have 6 DP or more for a response at the 1 level, and 10+ HCP 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 1 of major with no interference and with interference.

Your bid Requirements Comments
1ª (after an opening of 1© only) This is a forcing bid showing a 4+ card spade suit. You may also have support for partner's hearts and/or a 4-cd. minor suit - these can be shown later. But it is essential to show the 4-cd major, in case this turns out to be the best suit to play the contract in.
1NT Denies a 4-card or longer spade suit after a 1© opening; also denies good support for opener's suit. Promises 5-9 HCP. Should have a balanced or semi-balanced distribution.  
2§ / 2¨  This is a forcing bid showing a 3+ minor suit and denying 4 spades (after a 1© opening).  
2© (in response to an opening 1ª bid) This is a forcing bid, promising 10+ HCP and a 5+ card heart suit.  
Raise to 2 in opener's suit This is a weak hand (5-9 SP), with 3+ card support for opener's suit.  
Jump in a new suit This is a forcing bid (essentially to game). It normally promises a nice 5+ card suit. Minimum points: 16 HCP.  
2NT This bid promises 10-11 HCP, with length in the minor suits. Should have a balanced or semi-balanced distribution with at least one honour in the other major (but with no more than 3 cards in it).  
Raise to 3 in opener's suit This is an intermediate hand (10-11 SP), with 3+ card support for opener's suit.  
Double jump in a new suit (e.g. 1© - 3ª; 1ª - 4§) This is a splinter bid, forcing at least to game in opener's suit. The suit bid shows a singleton or void, and there should be a nice 3+ (but preferably 4)-card support for opener's suit and 13+ SP.  
3NT The usual bid with 12+ HCP, with no likelihood of slam or game in the major suits.  
Raise to 4 in opener's suit This is the normal bid with 12+ SP and at least 3-cd support for opener's suit. This bid should be avoided (even at the cost of bidding 2 in a 3-cd minor suit) if responder thinks that 3NT or slam may be a reasonable possibility.
4NT  Blackwood. Strong slam try. All you care about is how many Aces opener has.
 
RHO action  Your bid  Requirements  Comments 
Double Pass Generally with 0-7 DP; also with stronger hands if there is no reasonable bid and/or you hope to be able to double the opponents. See below.
Redouble This promises 4 cards in the unbid major and 8+ DP.  
All other bids Same as above, but should have 8+ DP (except for a single raise, where 6-7 SP are enough). But 1ª (after an opening of 1© only) promises 5 spades after an intervening Double.  
Minimum overcall in the other major Pass With less than 8 DP (unless able to make a single raise in opener's suit).  
Double 8+ HCP (at the 1 level), 10+ HCP (at the 2 level); normally 4-4 in the minors.  
1NT/2NT/3NT 8-9/10-11/12+ HCP and control of opponent's suit; 2 cards in partner's suit.  
Cue-bid in opponents' suit This shows void or singleton in opponent's suit and strong support for partners' suit. Forcing to game.  
Most other bids Same as above, but should have 8+ HCP (at the 1 level) and 10+ HCP (at the 2 level).  
Minimum overcall in a minor Pass Generally with 0-9 HCP.  
Double  10+ HCP; promises exactly 4 cards in the other major.  
2NT/3NT  10-11/12+ HCP, no support for partner's suit; 2-3 cards in the other major; at least one control of opponent's suit.  
Cue-bid in opponents' suit This shows void or singleton in opponent's suit and strong support for partners' suit. Forcing. to game.  
Most other bids Same as above.  
1NT  Pass  Generally with 0-9 DP.   
Double  This is primarily for penalties. If you have 10+ HCP and 2-3 card support for partner's suit, how can the opponents make 1NT?
2NT/3NT 10-11/12+ HCP. 2-3 cards in partner's suit and probably 4 in the other major. With 2-3 in the other major, you should DOUBLE!
New suit at the 2 level 5-card suit with 10+/16+ DP.  
New suit at the 3 level Essentially a preemptive bid: 6+ cd suit, little support for partner, around 10 HCP.  
Support bids Same as above   
Preemptive interference bids  Pass If you are not strong enough to bid something or double.  
Double  Normally all doubles of preemptive interference bids are for penalty; there should be at least one (preferably 2) controls in the opponents' suit and enough points to support partner if he takes you out to NT (11-12 HCP at the 2 level; 13+ at the 3 level).  
Cue-bid in opponents' suit This shows void or singleton in opponent's suit and strong support for partners' suit. Forcing. to game.  
Minimum NT bid If the preemptive bid is in the other major, the minimum NT bid shows sufficient points to play the NT contract in question (11-12 HP for 2NT, 13+ for 3NT), with at least one control in the opponent's suit. If it is in a minor suit, the same point requirements apply, but there must be 4 cards in the other major (there may be no control of opponent's suit, on the other hand). This is in line with my theory that the most profitable doubles of preemptive bids are those with which NT bids are normally made. It is best therefore to double with controls in the preemptor's suit and use the NT to indicate an unbid 4-cd major.
All other bids. Same as above, showing the same requirements.