ª © ¨ § BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS : LESSON 6 ª © ¨ §

Opener's rebid

Opener's rebid when responder has made a limit bid

How opener takes charge and is 'the master of the auction'

We next look at what happens after an opening and a response - at opener's rebid.

You have already learned that when the opening bid is 1NT or 2NT (both limit bids because they have narrowly defined limits - either 15-17 or 20-21), the responder takes charge either by making terminal bids or by requesting further information from opener. After notrump openings, responder is the master of the auction because opener made a limit bid.

When the auction starts with a one of a suit opening, working out who takes charge, and how, requires closer analysis. But as soon as one partner makes a limit bid, the other is in charge.

Opener takes charge on the rebid after responder has made one of the two following sorts of limit bid:

(1) raising the opened suit to show either 6-9 or 10-12 or a 0-7 weak freak

(2) bidding notrumps to show either 6-9 or 13-15 or 16-17 HCP

How opener revalues the hand

After hearing responder's first bid, opener first of all reassesses the opening hand based on whether there is a definite suit fit or not.

¨ If there is no suit fit, the opener counts only HCP + length points in good suits.

¨ If there is a suit fit, opener adds distributional points for shortage - 5 for a void, 3 for a singleton and 1 for a doubleton.

If this reassessed total is:

12‑15 TP the opener has a minimum opening, from now on called a mini

16‑18 TP the opener has a medium strength opening, from now on called a midi

19+ TP the opener has a maximum opening, from now on called a maxi

Opener's job, as master of the auction,

is to work out the combined strength and decide the final level and strain.

¨ When the final contract is definite, opener makes a terminal bid which responder passes.

¨ When game may or may not be there, depending on responder's strength within the range shown by the limit bid, opener makes an invitational bid.

¨ Sometimes there will be game-going strength between the two hands but the best choice of final strain is unclear. In such cases the opener makes a forcing bid to enable further exploration

How opener takes charge after responder raises the major

When responder raises a major, opener always stays with the major suit as trumps and simply decides the final level - partscore, game or slam.

¨ When responder makes a simple raise of the major, showing 6-9TP

With a mini

Opener passes - not values for game

e.g. After 1©:2© pass with

ªJxx ©AKJxx ¨Ax §Jxx (a bad 15TP with two unsupported jacks)

With a midi

Opener invites game by bidding three of the major as game values will be there if responder is top of the range

e.g. After 1ª:2ª, invite game via 3ª with

ªKQxxx ©Ax ¨AQxx §xx (17 TP)

With a maxi

Opener terminates with a jump to game in the major

e.g. After 1©:2© jump straight to game with 19 TP in

ªAx ©AQJxx ¨x §KJxxx

¨ when responder jump-raises the major, showing support & 10-12TP

With a mini

Opener passes with 12‑13, bids four with 14-15

e.g. After 1ª:3ª pass with

ªKJxxx ©Qxx ¨KJx §Qx (13TP)

but bid game with

ªKJxxx ©Qxx ¨KJx §Ax (15TP)

With a midi

Opener terminates with a game bid of four of the raised major

e.g. After 1©:3© bid 4© with

ªKx ©AQxxx ¨Qx §Axxx

With a maxi

Opener bids 4 with 19-21, bids 6 with more, maybe checking via Blackwood.
e.g. After 1ª:3ª bid 4ª with

ªAKJxx ©xx ¨AKJxx §x

but bid 6ª with ªAKJxx ©Ax ¨AKJxx §x

and 4NT with ªAKxxx ©Kx ¨AKJxx §x

¨ When responder raises the major to game via a weak freak, showing 0-7, 5-card support and likely a singleton or void

With a mini, midi or maxi

Opener passes

QUIZ

1. What is your rebid as opener on each of the following after…

(1) 1©‑2©?

(2) 1©-3©?

a. ªKxx ©AJxxx ¨AKx §Ax

b. ªKx ©AQTxx ¨Kx §Kxxx

c. ªxx ©AKQJx ¨Kxx §xxx

How opener takes charge after responder bids notrumps over the major

¨ when responder bids 1NT - 6‑9 HCP

With a mini, opener tells responder to play only in a partscore but still has to find the best strain. In order of preference:

(1) Opener bids two of a lower-ranked four- card or longer suit, but NOT a higher suit

e.g. After 1©:1NT bid 2§ with

ªx ©AKJxx ¨Jxx §KJTx

(2) Bids 2 of 6+card opened major

e.g. After 1ª:1NT rebid 2ª with

ªKJTxxx ©Jxx ¨Ax §Kx

(3) Passes with neither of the above

e.g. After 1©:1NT pass with

ªQx ©AKQxx ¨Jxx §Qx

With a midi, opener invites to game while still fishing for the best strain

(1) Opener rebids 2NT with a balanced(ish) hand i.e. no singletons or voids

e.g. After 1©:1NT, invite game in notrumps

with 2NT holding ªAJxx ©AQxxx ¨QJ §Kx

(2) Opener jump rebids three of the opened major with a good 6+ suit

e.g. After 1ª:1NT, invite 4ª or 3NT with a 3ª bid holding ªAKJxxx ©Ax ¨AJx §Jx

(3) Opener bids two of a higher-ranked four-card or longer suit. This strong action is called a reverse, & is forcing for one round over a one-level response (1RF)

e.g. After 1©:1NT invite game in NT by reversing to 2ª (even though partner

can't have 4ªs) holding

ªAJxx ©AQxxx ¨AQx §x

(4) Opener bids two of a lower-ranked four-card or longer suit, non-forcing. This is consistent also with a mini opening (drat!)

e.g. After 1©:1NT, bid 2§ with

ªx ©AJTxx ¨KJx §AQJx

With a maxi, opener either bids game if confident of where to play, or else forces to game by jump shifting to a second suit.

(1) Opener bids 3NT if balanced-ish

e.g. After 1©:1NT jump to 3NT with

ªKQx ©KJxxx ¨AQx §Ax

(2) Opener jumps to four of the opened major with an excellent 6/+ suit

e.g. After 1ª:1NT bid 4ª with

ªAKJT9x ©x ¨Ax §AQJx

(3) Opener jump shifts in a new 4+ suit, forcing to game

e.g. After 1©:1NT jump shift to 3¨ with

ªx ©AKxxx ¨AQJx §AJx

¨ when responder bids 2NT (showing a balanced 13‑15 without a four-card or longer new Major that could have been bid at the one level)

Even when holding a mini opener cannot stop short of game. It is usually merely a matter of which game, although slam is not impossible if a new fit is uncovered.

(1) Opener bids 3© after a 1ª opening with four or more hearts

e.g. After 1ª:2NT bid 3© with

ªAJxxx ©KJxx ¨Ax §Jx

(2) Opener bids four of 6+card major with a poor opening

e.g. After 1©:2NT, terminate the bidding with a 4© bid holding ªQxx ©KJTxxx ¨KQx §x

(3) Opener bids three of a 6-card major if in the upper minimum range

e.g. After 1ª:2NT, leave the door to slam open by bidding 3ª with

ªAKJxxx ©Kxx ¨Kxx §x

(4) Opener bids three of a 4+card minor with concentrated values in the two suits

e.g. After 1©:2NT, bid 3¨ with

ªx ©AQJxx ¨KQJx §xxx

(5) Opener bids 3NT with most other hands

e.g. After 1©:2NT, shrug and bid 3NT with a semi-balanced ªKx ©Kxxxx ¨Kxxx §KJ

When opener holds a midi or maxi

Slam is very likely.

Unless 5-3-3-2 (when notrumps will be the strain) look for a suit fit and then, if the numbers compute, bid slam, using Blackwood if sensible to check on aces.

(1) Opener bids 3 of 4+ card second suit looking for a fit

(2) Opener bids 3 of 6+ card opened suit, setting that suit as trumps

(3) Opener jumps to 4 of a minor with 5-5 shape or better

(4) Opener bids 4NT with 18-19 bal. to invite slam in notrumps if responder is maximum

¨ when responder bids 3NT (showing 16‑I7 HCP and no 4+ Major that could have been bid at the one-level)

Opener with a mini

(1) Bids 4 of 6+card opened major - terminal

(2) Bids 4© after opening 1ª with a 5-5 shape in the majors, looking for a heart fit

(3) Passes

Opener with a midi

(1) Bids 4 of 6+ card opened suit

(2) Bids 4 of a second 5-card major or 5-card minor, looking for a fit

(3) Passes

Opener with a maxi

(1) Bids 6 of 6+ card opened suit, since there must be a fit

(2) Bids 6 of second 5-card suit, since responder must have a fit in that suit (having shown only a doubleton in the opened major)

(3) Bids 4 of 4-card minor and goes on to slam in that minor with a fit, or else slam in notrumps, with the next bid

(4) Bids 6NT with a flat 18-19 since the combined assets are 34-35

Notice that after a 2NT or 3NT response, opener is in charge of finding the right strain and level. Bidding game asks responder to pass.

QUIZ

2. What is your rebid as opener after

(1) 1©‑1NT

(2) 1©‑2NT on each of the following?

a. ªAxx ©AKxxxx ¨xxx §x (13 opening points)

b. ªKx ©AQxxx ¨AQxx §Ax

c. ªx ©AQJxx ¨Jxx §AQxx

How one-of-a-minor opener takes charge

When rebidding after responder raises a minor, opener considers notrumps first when game is the objective, but stays in the minor when partscores or slams are involved.

¨ when responder has made a simple raise of the minor, showing 6-9TP 5+ support & no four-card major

With a mini

Opener passes, even with only three cards in the minor - remember that responder has denied a major.

With a midi

Opener bids 2NT with no singleton or void.

Or, if unbalanced, shifts to new four-card or longer suit (forcing) to indicate where the values are.

Or else raises agreed suit to invite game if responder is better than minimum.

e.g. After 1¨:2¨ try 2NT with

ªKTxx ©Ax ¨AQxxx §Kx

but bid 2ª with ªKQxx ©x ¨AKxxx §AJx

and maybe partner can bid 2NT with the hearts stopped

and bid 3¨ with ªx ©Axx ¨AQJxxx §KJx

With a maxi

Opener jumps to 3NT with no singleton or void.

Or shifts to a new 4+-card suit (forcing) as above.

¨ when responder has jump raised the opened minor, showing 5+ support, 10-12TP and no four-card major

With a mini

With 12-13 TP opener passes, but with 14-15

TP has a try at 3NT if at least balanced-ish

With a midi

Opener bids 3NT with no singleton or void.

Or bids a new 4+-card suit to show where the points are and angles for a 3NT game.

Or bids five of the agreed minor with 4+ distributional points and no other suit

With a maxi

Opener bids 3NT with no void or singleton.

Otherwise bids 5 of agreed minor with 19‑21, and 6 with 22+TP perhaps checking first for aces with 4NT Blackwood.

¨ when responder bids 1NT showing 6‑9 HCP & no four-card or longer major

With a mini

Balanced or semi-balanced, opener passes.

Unbalanced, opener rebids in a four-card or longer lower-ranked minor,

or rebids two of 6+ opened suit,

or repeats two of strong 5m when holding a higher-ranked 4-card suit which must not be bid with minimum values.

e.g. After 1¨:1NT

pass with ªJxxx ©Kx ¨KQxxx §Ax,

rebid 2§ with ªQxx ©x ¨AQTxx §KQxx

rebid 2¨ (not 2ª) with ªAQxx ©x ¨KQJxx §Jxx

With a midi

Opener invites game by bidding 2NT with no singleton or void.

Unbalanced, bids 2 of higher-ranked 4-card suit (a reverse - forcing).

Or jumps in opened 6+ card suit (invitational)

e.g. After 1§:1NT

bid 2NT with ªKJxx ©Qx ¨Kx §AQJxx,

reverse to 2© with ªKJx ©AJxx ¨x §AKJxx

and rebid 3§ with ªx ©Axx ¨Kxx §AKQxxx

With a maxi

Opener bids 3NT with no singleton or void,

If unbalanced jump shifts in a new 4+ suit to force to game while searching for a fit

e.g. After 1¨:1NT

jump shift to 3§ with ªx ©Kx ¨AQJxx §AKJxx

¨ when responder bids 2NT, showing a balanced 13-15 & no 4+-card major

With a mini

Opener bids 3NT if balanced-ish

Or, if unbalanced, repeats opened 6+ minor

or bids lower 4+ minor

With a midi

With a balanced 18 opener bids 3NT

Unbalanced bids a new 4+ suit

or repeats 6+ m

With a maxi

Invites notrump slam via 4NT with 19 balanced

If unbalanced, looks for a fit by jumping to 4 of other minor with at least 5-5.

Or bids any new 4+ suit.

Or jumps to slam with a 6-card suit since there must be a fit.

¨ when responder bids 3NT showing a balanced 16-17& no 4+ major

With a mini

Opener passes unless very shapely, at least 5-5, in which case bids second suit

With a midi

Opener with 5-4 bids a new suit.

Or jumps to slam in a 6-card minor

With a maxi

Balanced, bids 6NT with 18-19.

Unbalanced, bids 4 of second suit.

Jumps to slam with a 6-card minor.

Or to slam in lower 5+ minor, asking responder to choose

QUIZ

3. What is your rebid after (1) 1¨‑2¨ and (2) 1¨‑3¨ on each of the following?

a. ªAJxx ©KJxx ¨Qxx §Kx

b. ªKx ©Kx ¨AKxxx §KJxx

c. ªQxx ©AKxx ¨Qxxx §Qx

4. What is your rebid after (1) 1¨‑1NT

and 1¨‑2NT on each of the following?

a. ªAQxx ©AQxx ¨Kxx §Ax

b. ªKxx ©x ¨AQJxxx §AQx

c. ªx ©KJx ¨KQJxx §Kxxx

d. ªx ©Ax ¨AKxxx §AQJxx

ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª ©

Board 1 Dlr: N Nil Vul

NORTH
ª JT983
© A7
¨ A85
§ KQ6

WEST EAST
ª A4 ª 62

¨ 742 ¨ Q9
§ T84 § J9732

SOUTH
ª KQ75

Bidding:     N E S        W
  1ª P 2¨ P
2NT P          4ª

With 15TP, South is much too strong with 15TP to jump immediately to game, proceeding there via a DGR. North shows a balanced 12-15 with her 2NT rebid and responder bids the 4ª game as planned.

East leads ©Q (promising only the jack against a suit contract and you take stock as declarer. You can count a trump loser, a heart loser and a possible diamond loser.

While it is often best to draw trumps as soon as possible, this deal illustrates one of those occasions when there is something more profitable to do first before letting the opponents in with the trump ace. Win ©A and immediately play three rounds of clubs (ace first from the short hand) and discard dummy's heart loser. With so few clubs it is extremely unlikely that the defenders will trump you.

Now play a trump to force out the ace, win the return and draw the remaining trumps. Next play diamonds, again ace first from the short hand. ¨Q falls on the second round, a pleasant bonus, and you make 12 tricks for a score of 6x30 + 300 = 480.

Board 2 Dlr: E NS Vul

WEST EAST
ª 962 ª A75

¨ AK74 ¨ -
§ T3 § KQJ62

SOUTH
ª QJT4

East revalues her hand to 22 TP. Opposite 10-12 she decides to go for slam with her shapely collection.

On South's ªQ lead you consider your plan as declarer. You will have to lose §A in order to make 4 club tricks, and so you cannot lose any spade tricks as well. You plan to make 4 clubs, 5 trumps, 2 diamonds and a spade for 12 tricks.

Win ªA, draw trumps (it will take 3 rounds -hope you noticed South’s failure to follow on the second round!) making sure you end in dummy so that you can discard your two losing spades on dummy's ¨AK.

Only then can you afford to let the opponents in. Drive out §A by playing §T first (our old friend ‘honour from the short hand’).

12 tricks made for a score of 6x30 + 300 + 500 = 980.

Board 3 Dlr S EW Vul

WEST EAST

ª T82 ª 64

¨ Q3 ¨ JT52

§ JT76 § Q8

SOUTH

ª AQJ73

Bidding: S W N E
1ª P 3ª P
6ª

As declarer you can count 10 top tricks. The way to make two more is to trump two diamonds in dummy. Thus you cannot, once more, afford to draw trumps first.

Win ©A, play ¨K and cross to ¨A. Ruff a diamond with ª5 (it doesn't help West to ruff in). Return to §A and ruff another diamond with a low spade, collecting East’s last diamond.

Now, at last, cash the trump king and return to hand by ruffing a heart (much safer than a club with so many) so that you can draw the remaining trumps. Your hand is now ‘high’ because your last diamond is a winner.

You have made slam with an overtrick for a score of 7x30 + 300 + 500 = 1010.

Board 4 Dlr: W All Vul

WEST EAST
ª A5 ª Q74

¨ AQT42 ¨ KJ85
§ KQJ63 § T72

SOUTH
ª K83

Bidding:    W      N       E        S
1¨     P        2NT   P
4§     P        4¨     P
4NT   P        5¨     P
6¨

Opposite East's balanced 13-15 2NT, West knows there is a fit in at least one of her two 5-card suits and that her hand is thus worth 20 TP. She shows her strong 5-5 by jumping to 4§. East gives preference to her longer diamonds. West checks via Blackwood that 2 aces are not missing before bidding slam.

As declarer you consider your assets after ªJ lead. (Note that a sensible South will play ªK only if dummy’s ªQ is played.)

You should be able to make 5 trumps, 4 clubs and 3 top major suit tricks. That is very good news.

The bad news is that the spade lead, although won by your ace, exposes a spade loser in addition to §A. Something will have to be done about that spade loser. Evaporation is less effective than eradication.

Win ªA, draw trumps in three rounds. There is no reason to defer drawing trumps this time since you have plenty of winners without using dummy’s trumps separately.

Before switching to a club to establish your club winners by driving out §A make sure you first play ©AK to discard your losing spade.

Now your slam will be safe for a score of 6x20 + 500 + 750 = 1370.

ANSWERS TO QUIZ

c. (1) Pass - no hope of game with 14 TP mini

b. (1) 3NT - semi-bal, enough for game

(2) 3¨ - likely slam in ¨s or else notrumps

c. (1) 2§ - mini, looking for better partscore

(2) 3§ - 3NT rather risky with singleton spade, so show your shape

3. a. (1) Pass - don't panic about only 3¨s

(2) 3NT

b. (1) 2NT - invitational

(2) 3NT - usually better than 5¨. Or you could be really bold and ask for aces

c. (1) Pass

(2) Pass

4. a. (1) 3NT - 25-30 HCP

(2) 4NT - invite to slam with 32-35 HCP

b. (1) 3¨ - jump with midi & 6 good ¨s

(2) 6¨ if 4NT Blackwood first shows you are not missing 2 aces

c. (1) 2§, showing 5-4 & looking for a partscore contract in a minor

(2) 3§, again 5-4, allowing responder to choose ¨s, §s or NT

d. (1) 3§ - jump shift to force to game - giving responder the same choices as above

(2) 6§ - fit assured in one minor & thus enough for slam. Responder passes or goes back to ¨s knowing you are at least 5-5.

HOW’S MY PROGRESS AFTER LESSON SIX?

1. When does one member of the partnership become the master of the auction?

2. When opener bids notrumps, who is the master of the auction?

3. Give two general examples of a limit bid by responder.

4. What strength opening is described by the terms mini, midi and maxi?

5. At what point in the auction does opener count distributional points?

6. Indicate whether the following rebids by opener in the sequences below show a mini, midi or maxi - or possibly overlap two categories.

b. 1ª : 1NT, 2§

c. 1§ : 1NT, 3§

d. 1¨ : 1NT, 3§

e. 1¨ : 2¨, 2NT

g. 1ª : 2ª, 4ª

7. Indicate

a. which of the above rebids are terminal, forcing responder to pass.

b. which of the above rebids responder may choose to pass or bid, and which may therefore (rather awkwardly) be called invitational descriptions.

c. which of the above rebids are forcing, requiring responder to bid again.

d. which of the above rebids are forcing to game, so that neither partner can stop bidding before game is reached.

8. Give two general examples of occasions when it is not best to draw trumps immediately?

9. What way have you discovered of getting rid of losers?

10. What way have you discovered of turning losers into winners to create extra tricks?

Free Bridge Lessons for Beginners

Pages

Lesson 6

Opener's rebid

Opener's rebid when responder has made a limit bid

How opener takes charge and is 'the master of the auction'

We next look at what happens after an opening and a response - at opener's rebid.

Opener takes charge on the rebid after responder has made one of the two following sorts of limit bid:

How opener revalues the hand

How opener takes charge after responder raises the major

With a mini

QUIZ

How opener takes charge after responder bids notrumps over the major

QUIZ

How one-of-a-minor opener takes charge

QUIZ

ANSWERS TO QUIZ

HOW’S MY PROGRESS AFTER LESSON SIX?

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