Responses

If your partner opens with a suit at the one level she is promising 12 to 19 points. You MUST respond if you have more than 5 points. 

You can count shortage points ONLY  if you have a fit in partner’s suit (4 for a void, 3 for a singleton and 1 for a doubleton).

As a general rule your bids should be at the lowest possible level to allow a full bidding conversation with your partner.

If the responder bids a new suit the opener must bid again for one round.

The responder’s bid provides a lot of information only if it is accurate. The response varies according to the strength of the hand.

A. Fewer than 6 points - PASS

B. 6 to 9 points - You may ONLY bid at the one level EXCEPT IF YOU HAVE  4 CARD SUPPORT in the Opener’s suit, then you can raise the bid to the two level. 1H PASS 2H

Bid your longest suit at level one if able to do so.

Bid a four card major at level one, as finding a fit in a major suit is highly desirable.

If your longest suit can only be bid at 2 level then bid 1NT. A RESPONSE OF 1NT PROMISES THE OPENER THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE A FOUR CARD MAJOR THAT COULD BE BID AT LEVEL ONE.

If the opener bids 1S, a holding of hearts can not be shown at level one therefore the responder bids 1NT.

If you have four cards in both majors, bid hearts first to allow your partner to rebid spades at the lowest level.

Rule of 14

Sometimes a Responder has a good long suit but is unable to bid at the 2 level because she has fewer than 10 points. The rule of 14 helps in this situation. The number of cards in the long suit are added to the number points in the hand. Where the total is 14 or more the suit can be bid at the 2 level. Where the total is less than 14 the Responder must bid a suit that can be bid at level one or  1NT.

C. 10 to 12 points - With 4 CARD SUPPORT in yours partner’s suit, JUMP RAISE i.e. skip a level in the bidding. 1S PASS 3S

If you do not have partner’s suit, bid your longest suit at the 2 level.

If your have no five card suit, bid the majors first. With 4/4 in hearts and spades, bid hearts first.

With no four card major bid 2NT. The exception to this is if your partner opened one spade. A response of 2H promises a 5 card suit. Without a 5 card suit you must bid your next best suit. This is to avoid bidding 2NT which is used in a convention called Jacoby.

A RESPONSE OF 2NT DENIES HAVING A FOUR CARD MAJOR

D. 13 to 14 points - With 4 CARD SUPPORT in your partner's major suit, bid game. 1H PASS 4H

If you can support your partner's minor suit, bid your best major to explore a game contract in 3NT. Controls  in the other suits and a good fit in the openers minor makes a good NT contract.

If you have a flat hand and no four card major bid 3NT.

 - A RESPONSE OF 3NT DENIES A FOUR CARD MAJOR

E. 15 plus points

Don't jump to game too quickly because there might be the opportunity of winning 12 tricks (a slam) together with the bonus.

Jump bid (skip a level) if you have at least 4 in your partner's suit.

Bid your four card major suits.

Jump bid your five card suits.

If your partner's rebid shows a strong hand you can use Blackwood to explore a slam.

NB. A jump bid in a new suit is game forcing. Bidding must continue until a game contract is found.

Counting losers is a tool for evaluating the bidding strength of your hand derived from the shape and not just the points. See more ...