User:Brian/Bridge/Responding to a one-level minor opening
This page is incomplete.
Partner's bid shows something like 12 to 21 total points and denies a 5-card major. However, partner might have a 4-card major, so if you have a 4-card major, you should bid it so you and partner can find a 4-4 major fit.
Lacking a 4-card major, you might consider raising partner's minor suit. If partner bid diamonds, they almost always have 4+ diamonds, but rarely only 3. If partner bid clubs, they usually have 4+ clubs but sometimes only 3. Therefore, you should only raise partner's minor with at least 4 cards in that minor.
Evaluate your hand, and categorize your hand as one of the following:
- Weak: 5- points
- Minimal: 6–10 points
- Invitational: 10–12 points
- Game-forcing: 13+ points
Then consult the appropriate chart below depending on whether RHO has bid over partner's opening.
Note that "game-forcing" does not necessarily mean forcing to game. It sometimes stops in 4 of a minor, even though that's not game.
Without interference
| If... | then... |
|---|---|
| I have 5+-card support for partner's major | Consider making a preemptive raise to the 3 level. (Factors to consider are suit quality, overall strength, and vulnerability.) |
| Otherwise | Pass. |
| If... | then... |
|---|---|
| I have a 4+-card major | Bid 1 of the major. (With both majors, bid hearts first.) |
| I have a balanced hand | Bid 1NT. |
| I have 5+ card support for partner's suit and I am on the low end of the range | Make a preemptive raise to the 3 level. |
| I have an unbalanced hand, partner's suit is clubs, and I have 4+ diamonds | Bid 1♦. |
| None of the above apply. I have support for partner's minor but I'm too strong for a double raise. | Use your judgement. Your options are to downgrade your hand and make a double raise anyway, upgrade your hand and make a single raise, or lie about your hand being balanced and bid 1NT. |
| None of the above apply because partner opened 1♦ and I have an unbalanced hand long in clubs. | If your partnership plays weak to intermediate jump shifts, bid 3♣. Otherwise respond 1NT—it is a lie but you have no other choice. |
| If... | then... |
|---|---|
| I have a 4+-card major | Bid 1 of the major. (With both majors, bid hearts first.) |
| I have stoppers in the other 3 suits | Bid 2NT. |
| I have a 4+-card support for partner's minor | Raise partner's suit. |
| I have an unbalanced hand, partner's suit is clubs, and I have 4+ diamonds | Bid 1♦. |
| I have a balanced hand or my only shortness is in partner's suit | Bid 2NT. There's a small chance that notrump is doomed, but that's a risk you have to take to avoid missing game. |
| Otherwise (I have an unbalanced hand and none of the other cases apply because partner opened 1♦ and I have length in clubs, for example with a 1336 distribution) | If you are a passed hand, respond 2♣. If you're an unpassed hand, and your partnership plays invitational jump shifts, bid 3♣ since you can't bid 2♣. If neither of those two options are available, you'll have to respond 1NT or 2NT. |
| If... | then... |
|---|---|
| I have a 5+-card major | Bid 1 of the major. With two five-card majors, bid 1♠ (you will have an opportunity to show hearts later). |
| I have a 4+-card major | Bid 1 of the major. With two four-card majors, bid 1♥ (so partner still has the chance to show spades). |
| I have 5+-card support for partner's minor and a void or small singleton in a side suit other than clubs | Make a splinter bid. |
| I have 4+-card support for partner's minor | Raise the minor. (Don't worry—this is forcing.) |
| I have stoppers in the other 3 suits | Bid 3NT. TODO: What about with 16+ points? What if partner responds? |
| I have 4+ cards in the other minor | Bid the other minor at the cheapest level (1♦ or 2♣). |
| Otherwise | Go back and look more closely... one of the options above must apply. |
