User:Brian/Bridge/Subsequent bidding after major suit agreement

Raises to 2M

After a major suit has been bid at the 1 level and raised to the 2 level (showing 3+ card trump support with 6–10 points), subsequent bids have the following meanings:

• Pass is to play (showing a minimum).
• A suit below 3M may show interest in either game or slam.

• With invitational strength (game interest), it shows a weak 3+ card side suit and asks partner to raise to 4M with either a maximum or less than 2 losers in the bid suit.
• With slam interest, the help-suit bid is an artificial relay, and asker will bid again after the 3M or 4M response. Asker's rebid is a control bid or Blackwood (see also responses)

• 2NT shows invitational strength with balanced distribution, asking partner to choose between 2NT (pass), 3M, 3NT, or 4M.
• 3M is invitational to game, showing 16 to 18 declarer points and asking responder to raise to 4M with 9+ support points.
• A suit above 3M but below 4M is a splinter. Any subsequent bid outside the agreed major is a control bid or Blackwood (see also responses).
• 3NT shows balanced distribution and game-forcing strength, and asks partner to choose between 3NT (pass) or 4M.
• 4M is a sign-off.
• 4NT is Blackwood (see also responses).

Raises to 3M

Invitational raises to 3M occur in the following types of sequences:

• 1♥ (P) 3♥
• 1♣ (P) 1♠ (P) 3♠
• 1♦ (P) 1♥ (P) 1♠ (P) 3♠
• (1♠) 2♥ (P) 3♥
• (1NT) 2♠* (P) 3♠

Note that a raise of a weak 2M opening or a weak jump overcall is NOT invitational.

After hearing a 3M invitational raise from partner, subsequent bids are as follows:

• Pass is to play (showing a minimum).
• 4M is to play (showing a non-minimum but lacking slam interest).
• A bid in a side suit is a control bid, showing slam interest.
• 4NT is Blackwood (see also responses).

Conventional raises following interference

The sequences

• 1M (X) 2NT*
• 1M (1NT) 2NT*
• 1♥ (1♠) 2♠
• 1♠ (2♥) 3♥
• 1M (2m) 3m

show invitational or greater strength, and at least 3-card support for opener's major. Opener rebids 3M with a minimum, or 4M with a non-minimum. Responder can raise 3M to 4M with game-forcing strength.