RAISING PARTNER'S MAJOR WITH 3 CARD SUPPORT

When partner opens with one of a major and you have 6-9 points it is often better to support with 3 cards rather than bidding 1NT. 

Better to raise hearts than bid 1NT

SOUTH
8 4
J 9 6
A 8 5 3
Q J 7 6

 N

 E  

 S

 W

1

Pass 

 2

Pass

When to raise with 3 card support:

Advantages of raising with 3 card support:

  • Your shortage and 3 trumps might give partner the chance to ruff a loser or two.

  • Stops the 4th bidder from overcalling with two of a minor.

  • If the auction becomes competitive, partner might be able to compete to the 3 level with 6 cards and minimum points knowing you have some support.

Risk

  • •Very little!

  • If opener does not have 5 cards in the major, he has a balanced hand with 15-19 points. 
    (Otherwise would have opened 1NT)

  • This will help compensate for a 7 card trump fit.

When not to raise with 3 card support

  • •When your hand has no shortage (4333)

  • When partner opened 1 and you have
    4 spades.   (You may miss a 4-4 spade fit)

  • When you have 10+ points.
    NEVER make an immediate response at the 3 level or higher without 4 card support.
    With 10+ points you can always make a forcing bid in another suit.

  • When partner opened a Minor.

Being able to raise with 3 card support is particularly useful if there has been an overcall at the two level

SOUTH
Q 8 4
10 9 6
5 3
K J 7 6 2

 N

 E  

 S

 W

1

2

 2

Pass

 

 © No Fear Bridge 2008    www.nofearbridge.co.uk

Now try the quiz!

You are South, what will you respond after North opens 1

1    Answer 2   Answer 3   Answer 4   Answer 5   Answer 6   Answer
7 6 5 3
K Q 7
5 3
Q 4 3 2		 8 4
Q 9 6
Q J 3 2
K Q 7 2		 8 4
Q 9 6
J 6 5 3
K 7 6 2		 4
A Q 6
K J 7 6 2
Q J 4		 9 8 4
K Q 6
8 7 5 3
Q 6 2		 J 8 4
K 9 6
Q 9 7 5 4 2
2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1)  1       With 4 cards in spades bid the spades.  Partner may have 4 hearts and 4 spades. 

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2)  2       Too many points to bid 2.  Bid 2, cheapest of 4 card suits.

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3)  2      With 3 cards support and a shortage and 6-9 points, better to raise partner’s major than bid 1NT.  (Note: this only applies with majors.  1 - 2 would always be 4 card support).

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4)  2       Never make an immediate response at the three level or higher with only 3 card support.  Make a normal 2 forcing response.

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5)  1NT     This hand has no shortage, so make the normal response of 1NT showing 6-9.

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6)  2       This will prevent the next bidder overcalling with 2!

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