May 2019 - 49

Newer Players

Bidding Basics
BY LARRY COHEN

larryco.com

Opener's rebid after higher-level responses to 1♦
In this installment, we look at the
auction where partner has responded
to 1♦ on the two level or higher. Disclaimer: There are some topics in this
installment where no 100% agreed
method exists. My suggestions, however, are based on the way the majority
plays in the 21st century.
After 1♦-2♣
Assuming 2♣ is natural and gameforcing, this is not a situation where
opener needs to show strength. Opener
should show shape instead. This is a
rare situation in bidding where opener
can actually rebid a five-card (or
longer) diamond suit. In a 2/1 gameforcing auction, don't pay attention
to "reverses." Bid a major with either
length or strength there. For example,
after 1♦-2♣, bid 2♥ with:
♠5 4 ♥A Q 7 6 ♦K 10 7 6 ♣A 3 2.
This also denies five-plus diamonds.
Bid 2NT with a flat, notrump-looking hand such as:
♠Q 10 7 ♥K J 7 ♦A J 5 4 ♣K 9 2.
After 1♦-2♦
Responder shows 6-10 points in support, no four-card major and at least
four-card diamond support. (Note:
Many experienced players use "inverted minors," but we are dealing here
with "standard.") With a minimum,
opener will tend to pass. Example:
♠K Q 6 ♥A J 6 5 ♦J 8 5 4 ♣Q 3.
Don't "correct" to 2NT with a flat
minimum.
A bid of a new suit is natural and
forward-going (looking for game). For

example, bid 2♠ with:
♠A Q J 2 ♥6 5 ♦A K 10 7 6 ♣K 2.
Bid 2♥ with:
♠2 ♥A K J ♦A K J 9 3 2 ♣6 5 4.
A bid of 2NT is also inviting game,
likely 18-19 balanced. Example:
♠Q 10 8 5 ♥A K J 7 ♦K Q 2 ♣K 2.
A bid of 3♦ is not invitational, it is
just to make life tougher on the opponents. Example:
♠A 4 2 ♥3 ♦K Q 4 3 2 ♣K J 10 6.
Passing 2♦ would make it too easy
for them to find their known heart fit.
Opener's rebid of 3NT would show a
very good hand with stoppers (enough
to play in 3NT opposite a minimum
raise):
♠K Q 10 ♥A Q ♦K J 7 6 2 ♣K 7 6.
After 1♦-2♥/2♠/3♣
Most play responder's jump shifts as
weak. If so, opener would usually pass.
Opener can raise with support (preemptively), bid a new suit (forcing and
looking for game), or bid game.
After 1♦-2♥, pass with this:
♠A Q 2 ♥5 ♦K 6 5 4 3 ♣K J 3 2.
Raise preemptively to 3♥ with this:
♠9 ♥Q J 4 ♦K Q 8 4 3 2 ♣A 3 2.
Raise to 4♥ with this:
♠A 2 ♥K J 6 ♦A 7 6 5 3 2 ♣A 2.
Bid 2♠ (a new suit) with:
♠A K J 5 ♥2 ♦A Q 10 4 3 2 ♣A Q.
This is natural, but with a very strong
hand.

After 1♦-2NT
Most play this jump as natural and
invitational (11-12 HCP, no four-card
major). With a balanced minimum,
opener passes. Example:
♠J 3 ♥6 5 4 ♦A Q 10 7 6 ♣K Q 2.
With a reasonable balanced minimum (a nice 13 or 14), opener can raise
to 3NT. Example:
♠A Q 10 ♥K 10 2 ♦Q 10 4 2 ♣Q J 10.
With a minimum, offshape hand, 3♦
can be bid to play. Example:
♠3 2 ♥3 2 ♦K J 5 4 3 2 ♣A K 2.
Opener can bid a new suit on the
three level to further explore. Bid 3♥
with:
♠5 ♥A Q 3 2 ♦K Q 10 7 6 5 ♣K 2.
After 1♦-3♦
Responder shows 11-12 points
in support, no four-card major and
at least four-card diamond support
(usually five-plus). With a minimum,
opener will usually pass. Example:
♠K Q J 6 ♥A J 6 5 ♦Q 3 2 ♣5 4.
A bid of a new suit is natural and
looking for the right game (or possibly
a stop in 4♦). Bid 3♥ with:
♠7 ♥A Q 2 ♦A Q 7 3 2 ♣Q 10 8 7.
Bid 3♠ with:
♠A Q J ♥4 3 ♦A J 10 7 6 2 ♣J 10.
With stoppers and extras, bid 3NT:
♠A J 10 ♥K 2 ♦Q 10 7 6 5 2 ♣K 5.
Opener can also jump to 5♦ with
shape and a decent opening bid:
May 2019 Bridge Bulletin

49
http://www.larryco.com
May 2019

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