Sunday, July 10, 2011

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: Suit Responses.

PART I:  MAJOR SUITS

PARTNER OPENS 1 HEART OR 1 SPADE:

RESPONDER HAS         0 to 5 points                 Pass
                                         6 TO 9 POINTS:   

Responder has three clear choices:

                                         a) support (3-cards) partner's suit at the 2 level.
                                         b) bid a new suit at the one level. (at least 4 cards).
                                         c) bid 1NT*  (does not have to be a balanced** hand).


RESPONDER HAS 10+ POINTS:

Responder's choices are:                 
                                        a) support partner's suit at the 3 level.
                                        b) bid a new suit at the 2 level.
                                                               

RESPONDER HAS 13+ POINTS:

Responder's choices are:                  
                                      a) with a 4-card support for partner's suit, bid 2NT.
                                      b) bid new suit at the 2 level.
                                      c) all responder's bids are forcing.
                                      d) partnership cannot stop short of game.


PART II: MINOR SUITS

PARTNER OPENS 1 DIAMOND OR 1 CLUB.

With 0 to 5 points:            Pass.
With 6 to 9 points:            Responder's first priority is to bid a 4-card major suit.
                                         With 5-cards support for clubs, raise partner to 2 clubs.
                                         With 4-cards support for diamonds, raise partner to 2 diamonds.
                                         With no proper support, responder bids 1NT.

With 10+ points, responder:               a) raises partner's suit at the 3 level.
                                                            b) bid new suit at the 2 level.
With 13+ points, responder:               a) bid new suit (major)
                                                            b) with a balanced hand, bid 2NT.

EXAMPLE ONE:       Partner opened 1 diamond.


A Q 9 5                Respond: 1 Spade.
Q 5
Q J 10 8 2
Q 5

With 5 diamonds, responder could support partner's suit but his responsibily is to find a Golden Fit*** in a major suit.

EXAMPLE TWO:       Partner opened 1 Club.

Q 5 3                            Respond 2 hearts.
K Q J 10 8 2
K Q 5
10

With a 6-card heart suit, responder bids 2 hearts looking for a golden fit**** in hearts.

EXAMPLE THREE:       Partner opened 1 Club.

J 9 5                                 Respond 2 Clubs.
Q J 10
K Q
10 5 4 3 2

Responder has not biddable suit, responds 2 clubs showing a 5-card support in clubs.

EXAMPLE FOUR:          Partner opened with 1 Heart.

Q 10 8                               Respond 2 Hearts.                    
K 9 5
10 5 4 2
K J 9

With a 3-card support and a minimal hand, responder bids 2 hearts.

EXAMPLE FIVE:            Partner opened  1 Spade

K 9                                   Respond 2 Hearts.
A K 9 4 2
K J 9 5 3
10

With opening point count and two 5-card suits, responder bids 2 hearts, the higher-ranking suit planning to bid the diamond suit at his next opportunity.

EXAMPLE SIX:                   Partner opened 1 Heart.

A 10 4                                   Respond  1NT.
K J
10 8 5 2
J 9 8 3

Unable to bid a new suit at the 2 level and with no support for hearts, responder bids NT, the best alternative showing a minimum hand of 6 to 9 points.

RECAP:     0 - 5 points                              Pass.
                   6 - 9 points     Major suits:      Raise to the 2 level with 3-card support.
                                                                   Bid new suit at the 1 level (4-cards).
                                                                   Bid 1NT.
                                          Minor suits:      Bid new suit (major) at the 1 level.
                                                                    Raise at the 2 level with 5 clubs or 4 diamonds.
                 10 +  points      Major suits:       Raise to the 3 level (3-card or longer support).
                                                                    Bid a new suit.
                                          Minor suits:      Bid a new suit ( a 4-card Major).
                                                                    Raise partner suit to the 3 level with support.
                13 +  points       Major suits:       Jump to 2NT (explore slam possibilities***).
                                                                    Bid a new suit.
                                          Minor suits:       Bid new suit (major).
                                                                    Bid 2NT with a balanced hand.

Notes:   *  NT - No Trump
             ** Balanced - 4-3-3-3 or 4-4-3-2 distribution.
            *** Small Slam  - Bid 6NT or 6 of a suit. 
                   Grand Slam - Bid 7NT or 7 of a suit.
           **** Golden fit - The magic number of 8 cards in a suit in a partnership.  

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