User:Brian/Bridge/Responding to a one-level major opening

From PEGWiki
< User:Brian‎ | Bridge
Revision as of 04:49, 21 June 2017 by Brian (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

This page is incomplete.

Partner's bid shows something like 12 to 21 total points and at least 5 of the major. Therefore, "support" for partner's major means you have at least 3 cards in that major (making a total of at least 8).

Evaluate your hand. If you have a fit with partner, add points for distribution. To determine how to respond, 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.

Without interference

With a very weak hand, pass.

Responding with a minimal hand
If... then...
I have support for partner's major Raise partner's suit to the 2 level.
Partner opened hearts, and I have 4+ spades Bid 1♠.
Otherwise Bid 1NT.
Responding with an invitational hand
If ... then...
I have 4+-card support for partner's major Raise partner's suit to the 3 level (a limit raise).
I have 3-card support for partner's hearts and 4+ spades Respond 1♠ for now, planning to rebid 3♥.
I have 3-card support for partner's major Respond 1NT for now, planning to rebid 3M.
Partner's suit is hearts and I have 4+ spades Bid 1♠.
None of the above apply, and I am an unpassed hand. Bid 1NT.
I am a passed hand, balanced or with shortness only in partner's major. Bid 2NT.
I am a passed hand with a lower 5+-card suit. Bid your suit at the two level.
Responding with a game-forcing hand
If ... then...
I have 4-card support or better, and a side suit void or a small side suit singleton Make a splinter bid, i.e., a jump to your short suit above the 3 level of partner's major. (3♠, 4♣, and 4♦ are splinter responses to 1♥, while 4♣, 4♦, and 4♥ are splinter responses to 1♠.)
I have 4-card support or better and a balanced hand Respond 2NT.
I have 3-card support and a balanced hand Respond 3NT.
Partner's suit was hearts, and I have 4+ spades Respond 1♠.
Partner's suit was spades, and I have 5+ hearts Respond 2♥.
Otherwise Show a 4+ card minor at the 2 level.

With interference

I have a very weak hand → Pass.

Minimal hands

I have 5+-card support for partner's major → Consider preemptively raising to the 4 level, depending on vulnerability. Partner is expected to pass.

I have 3-card support for partner's major → Raise to the 2 level if you can, otherwise pass.

I have 5+ spades and can bid at the one-level → Respond 1♠.

RHO bid a minor suit at the 2-level or lower and I have 4+ cards in the other major → Make a negative double to show your 4-card major.

RHO bid a suit at the 1-level in which I have a stopper → Respond 1NT.

Otherwise → Pass.

Invitational hands

I have support for partner's major and RHO bid a suit below the 2-level of partner's suit → Cue-bid the enemy suit.

I have support for partner's major and RHO doubled → Bid 2NT, which is the conventional Truscott/Jordan limit+ raise.

RHO bid 1NT → Many partnerships don't have an agreement on how to respond in this case. The only "standard" response is double for penalty. If you actually want a way to have the contract in such cases, develop an agreement with your partner about the meanings of bids.

RHO doubled and I have 5+ spades → Respond 1♠.

RHO doubled and we don't have a fit in partner's major → Redouble.

RHO bid a minor suit at the 3-level or lower and I have 4+ cards in the other major → Make a negative double.

RHO bid a suit at the 2-level or lower in which I have a stopper → Respond 2NT.

Otherwise → Pass.

Game-forcing hands

I have support for partner's major and RHO bid a suit below the 3-level of partner's suit → Cue-bid the enemy suit.

I have support for partner's major and RHO doubled → Bid 2NT, which is the conventional Truscott/Jordan limit+ raise.

RHO bid 1NT → See the note in the previous section.

RHO doubled and I have 5+ spades → Respond 1♠.

RHO doubled and we don't have a fit in partner's major → Redouble.

RHO bid a minor suit at the 3-level or lower and I have 4+ cards in the other major → Make a negative double.

RHO bid a suit at the 3-level or lower in which I have a stopper → Respond 3NT.