RESPONDER’S 2nd BID

 

Learners are sometimes not sure what to bid with weak hands after opener has bid two suits and the partnership hasn’t found a fit. What should South bid next in this auction?

 

a)  2   b)  2NT   c) Pass   d)  2

 

Let’s look at each of the options:

SOUTH
 K Q 8 7 6
 9 6
 8 5 3
 K J 7

N

E

S

W

1

Pass

1

Pass

2

Pass

?

 

a)    Not 2      

For South to repeat his suit he should have at least six cards.   Why?  By bidding two suits, North has shown a hand with 5-4 (at least) shape in the red suits.   That means North has only four cards that could possibly be clubs or spades!  

b)    Not 2NT.  2NT would show 11-12 points in this auction.  

c)    Not Pass see d)

d)   2     Correct

With a weak hand (6-9), when the total cards held (between both partners) in opener's 1st suit are more than or the same as the total cards in opener's 2nd suit, it is correct to 'give preference' to opener's 1st suit.

In an auction like the one above where three suits have been bid and no fit has been found and the responder only has  6–9 points here are responder’s options:

 

1     1

2     2

Rebid own suit.  It must be at least six cards.

 

1     1

2     2   

Give preference to opener’s 1st suit.   Opener needs to be aware that responder might only have two hearts.

 

1     1

2    Pass   

Pass, giving preference to opener’s 2nd suit.  Pass only if your side has MORE in opener’s 2nd suit than 1st suit.

 

RESPONDERS 2nd BID AFTER OPENER REBIDS A NEW LOWER RANKING SUIT AT THE TWO LEVEL (12-15)

 

SUMMARY

6-9 points

You only have ONE bid unless:

a)    you are making a preference bid

b)    you have a 6+ card suit of your own

10-12 points

You can bid twice

13+ points

Keep bidding until you reach game

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAKING A preference bid

1  1

2   ?

Suppose the bidding has started like this. This sequence shows  opener has 5+ cards in the 1st suit and 4+ cards in the 2nd suit and 12-15 points.

 

When you are responder with 6-9 points you want to keep the bidding as low as possible but you want to play in trumps with the suit in which your partnership has the most cards.  

 

In these examples you have no eight card fit in either of opener’s suits but you choose the suit in which you know your partnership has most cards.

 

K J 6 4 3

9 

K 4 3 2 

9 7 5  

Pass, preferring  opener’s 2nd suit. (Together, you have at least 7 clubs)

K J 8 6 4

9 3

 K 4 3 2

6 4

Bid 2, preferring opener’s 1st suit. (Together, you have at least 7 hearts)

 

1  1

2  2

If you are the opener and the bidding goes like this, remember that the 2 bid is a preference bid and is not promising an eight card heart fit.  Partner may only have two hearts.

 


ReSponder’s 2nd bid AFTER OPENER REBIDS A NEW LOWER RANKING SUIT At The Two level – Options

6-9 POINTS

These bids are more or less Sign Off bids.  Opener should only bid again with an absolute maximum hand (15+ points).

 

10+ WITH A FIT OR A STOPPER IN THE 4Th SUIT FOR NT

When responder has 10+ and supports opener’s 1st or 2nd suit or bids NT,  the 2nd bid shows the same point count as if it was the first response to an opening bid of opener’s 1st or 2nd suit.

 

1    1

2    3

The 3 bid is showing an 8 card fit in hearts and 10-12 points.
(Like 1
- 3)

1    1

2    3

The 3 bid is showing an 8 card fit in clubs and 10-12 points.   (Like 1 - 3)

 

 

 

 

1    1

2    4

The 4 bid is showing an 8 card fit in hearts and 13-15 points. 
(Like 1
- 4)

1    1

2   2NT

The 2NT bid shows 11-12 points.  (Like 1 - 2NT)

 

10+ POINTS AND OWN LONG SUIT

11+ POINTS AND NO FIT AND NO STOPPER IN THE 4th SUIT

 © No Fear Bridge 2007    www.nofearbridge.co.uk