Opener’s Rebids

When making an opening bid you must be planning your second bid, called a rebid.

If you open and your partner responds by bidding a new suit, you MUST bid again for one round.

If you open with 1NT (Balanced & 12-14 HCP), you MUST NOT rebid unless invited.

Unbalanced Hands

With an unbalanced hand the longest suit is opened first (length before strength). 

The rebid is determined by a simple idea called the barrier. When making an opening bid, the opener must imagine a barrier at one level above the opening bid. ie.

1C has a barrier of 2C

1D has a barrier of 2D etc.

With fewer than 16 points, the Opener rebids her second suit as long as the bid is not above the barrier. When this is not possible the Opener rebids her opening suit. This is called a limit bid.  Rebidding the opening suit usually promises a 6 card suit but 5 of good quality is acceptable.

The Responder, knowing the strength and shape of Opener’s hand can now continue bidding. A bid of 2NT by the Responder closes the bidding.

OPENER’S REBID WITH A STRONG HAND

1. REBID A NEW SUIT ABOVE THE BARRIER. Any rebid over the barrier shows a strong hand of between 16 and 19 points. It also shows first suit bid longer than second. A rebid over the barrier could be the opening suit or a new suit.

1S - PASS - 2H - Pass

3C - This rebid at the 3 level is over the barrier of 2S showing a strong hand.

1S - 2D - PASS - 3D

3S - This rebid at the 3 level is over the barrier of 2S showing a strong hand.

(Bridge Term - When the opener has rebid a senior suit to the opening suit this is called a Reverse)

2. JUMP SUPPORT PARTNER’S SUIT. This promises at least 4-card support.

3. JUMP REBID YOUR OPENING SUIT. This promises at least 6-cards.

4. JUMP IN A NEW SUIT - forcing to game.

Strong Balanced Hands

With a strong balanced hand and no 5 card Major, open with your lowest 4 card Major suit. If no Major fit is found from the response a rebid of NT will describe the strength:

15 - 16 : REBID NT at the lowest level

17 - 18 : REBID NT with a jump

19  : REBID 3NT

When partner makes a rebid ‘Above the Barrier’ assume 6 losers. When partner‘s rebid is a limit bid, assume 7 losers.

Dealing with Intervention

1. Opener has bid. LHO (Left Hand Opposition) make an overcall. The intervention pushes up responder's bid. Opener makes a Rebid which appears to be ‘Above the Barrier’.  In this scenario Opener doesn't guarantee more than a minimum opening hand. The change of suit from Responder is forcing Opener to rebid.

2. Opener has bid. LHO passes. Partner  responds in a new suit. RHO (Right Hand Opposition) Overcalls. If Opener is no longer able to make their PLANNED REBID they  should PASS. Responder has a chance to bid again if strong.