Reverse Bidding - Part 3

Other Big Bids By Opener

Never reverse with a 5-5 hand. 

With equal-length suits, always open the higher ranking suit first, even with 17+ points. 

There are other ways to show big hands:

Reverse Bidding - Part 2

How Reversing Changes Your Life

Don’t reverse with under 17 points.

North

♠ A J 4                         North             South

♥ K Q 9 8                    1♦                  1♠

♦ A 6 5 4 3                  2♠^*  

♣ 6

*2♠ is not a new suit! Bidding 2♥ would be a reverse.

Reverse Bidding - Part 1

A "reverse" is part of standard bidding. All bridge players use it, whether they realize it or not. Understanding reversals is good for your bridge, your health and your safety.

So What is a Reverse?

Opener: Provided your partner has responded at the 1-level, the requirement to bid a new suit at the 2-level that ranks higher than your first suit, is 17+ points.

Reversing implies greater length in your first suit (usually 5-4, but maybe 6-4 or 6-5.) Reverses are forcing for one round.

The Second Negative - Part 2

The Second Negative gives opener no hope for slam, and he might be passed out if he repeats his first suit.

Partner                                  You

♠ Α Κ 10 9 6 2                     ♠ 5 4 

♥ A K Q                               ♥ 8 4

♦ 7 4                       ❏           ♦ J 9 8 6 5

♣ K Q                                   ♣ J 6 4 3

           Partner             You

          2♣                     2♦

          2♠                     3♣

          3♠                     Pass

When partner just repeated his suit, he indicates a minimum hand – pass is just right for you. What if partner was stronger? 

The Second Negative - Part 1

The “second negative” is also called the “double negative.” Don’t confuse it with the “negative double” – they are totally different bids.

Partner opens 2♣

When partner opens 2♣ and you have a crummy hand, you first respond 2♦. This is just a negative bid, showing 0 to 7 points. But if you are truly dreadful, you need to turn partner off from his lofty dreams by giving him a “second negative.”

Fourth-Suit Forcing and Artificial - Part 2

Opener’s Next Bid

You opened and then bid your second suit. Responder bids this “convention” by bidding the fourth suit. What next?

North:

♠ J 8 7 6                     North          South

♥ K 9                         1♣               1♥

♦ K Q 5                     1♠                2♦*

♣ A J 9 8                   ??          

*Fourth-Suit Forcing

Fourth-Suit Forcing and Artificial - Part 1

This is an important convention that comes in handy. 

Responder’s Second Bid

Modern bidding has a problem-child:

South:

♠ Q 8 7                      North       South

♥ A Q 9 8 7              1♦             1♥

♦ K J 6                     1♠              ??

♣ 5 4

South has a problem: He wants to bid NT, but not without a stopper in clubs, the only unbid suit. He should not jump in his 5-card heart suit (only perverts do that), and he should not raise opener’s second suit with only 3-card support. There is a nice solution to this dilemma:

2/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 6

If Opener rebid a new suit:

After a 2/1 response, opener can bid a new 4+ card suit (not 3 cards) on the 2-level, so responder should raise the new suit with 4-card support. With less support, try NT, or rebid a 6+ card suit, or bid the fourth suit (artificial – called "Fourth Suit Forcing") to get more information from opener.

2/1 Game Force: Responder's Second Bid – Part 5

Responder’s Second Bid After a 2/1 

Your partner opened the bidding and you gave him a game-forcing 2/1 response. Now it is your second bid and you are responsible for placing the final contract. You have all the information (two bids from opener), so you decide.

If you have 3-card support for opener's major, now is the time to show it.

North:

♠ A 3                          South            North

♥ K J 4                       1♥                 2♦

♦ K Q 9 8 6                2 NT             3♥

♣ 9 7 6  

2/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 4

Opener rebids his 6+ card suit:

South:

♠ A K 10 9 8 7              South            North

♥ 8 5                             1♠                 2♣

♦ A Q 7                         2♠

♣ 5 2  

South’s 2♠ bid after the 2/1 response shows a 6+ card suit.

However, if opener jumps in his original suit, it shows a solid 6+ card suit.

2/1 Game Force: Opener's Second Bid – Part 3

Opener’s Second Bid After a 2/1 

You have opened the bidding and your beautiful partner bid a new suit on the two-level. This 2/1 response is forcing to game. Opener describes the shape of his hand. Extra strength can be shown later. Your options are as follows:

2/1 Game Force: The Exceptions – Part 2

The Exceptions

If responder is a passed hand, the game force is off:

South:
♠ A J 4                     South            West            North            East
♥ 9 8                        Pass               Pass            1♥                  Pass
♦ K Q J 7 6              2♦
♣ 9 8 7

South’s 2♦ bid is not a game-forcing bid. It shows 11-12 points. 

2/1 Game Force: Responding 2 in a New Suit – Part 1

This is the crown jewel of the system. 2/1 (read Two-over-One) refers to responder’s first bid of a new suit on the two-level. 

In Standard American it shows 11+ points (or a good 10). Now, most of the bridge world plays it as a game-forcing bid, at least 13+ points (or a good 12).

The advantage is simple: by telling the opener immediately that the hand is good enough for game, the partnership has plenty of room to explore the best contract without jumping needlessly.

Note: Game level is defined as 3 NT or 4 of a suit. If your trump suit is a minor, you are not forced all the way to 5♣ or 5♦. Even if you've made a 2-over-1 response, your auction can end at 4♣ or 4♦ if that's your agreed suit.

2-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Four

With 13-16 Points and 4-Card Support

Many advocates of the 2/1 system use the "Jacoby 2 NT Forcing Raise" and "Splinter Raises". 

Jacoby 2 NT Forcing Raise:
• 4+ card support
• 13+ support points
• no void, no singleton

2-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Three

With 13 to 16 points and 3-card support, first bid 2 in a new suit, then support opener’s major:

North:
♠ Q J 8                  South       North
♥ A 3                    1♠             2♦
♦ K Q 5 3 2           2 NT        3♠
♣ J 7 6 

2-Over-1: Major Suit Raises – Part Two

Responder Has 3- or 4-Card Support

With 11-12 points and 3-card support, first bid 1 NT then jump in opener’s major:

North:
♠ A 6 4              South         North
♥ K 8                1♠               1 NT
♦ 8 4 3 2            2♦               3♠
♣ K J 7 6