March 2020 - 49

Newer Players

Bidding Basics
BY LARRY COHEN

larryco.com

Responder's rebid after opener rebids 1NT or 2NT
This month we look at responder's
second bid when opener has rebid 1NT
or 2NT.
Let's start after opener's 1NT rebid,
so the auction has gone one of a suit -
one of a suit - 1NT. Opener has shown
12-14 balanced.
After 1♣-1♦; 1NT
In this case, opener could have one
(or both) four-card major(s). In modern bidding, he wouldn't show a major
unless he had a shapely hand. It is up to
responder to show a four-card major.
When the response is 1♦ (natural),
it means that either responder has
no four-card major, or he was strong
enough (opening-bid values) to show it
on the second round. So with:
♠A 6 5 4 ♥2 ♦A K J 10 3 ♠J 8 7,
the response to 1♣ is 1♦, but after the
1NT rebid, responder would bid 2♠.
If the 1♦ bidder has no four-card
major (usually the case), he has the following choices:
Pass: With a flattish hand and no
game interest. For example:
♠K 2 ♥7 6 5 ♦K J 8 7 6 ♣Q 3 2.
2♣: A desire to play in 2♣, something like:
♠4 ♥8 7 6 ♦K 10 8 7 2 ♣A 7 6 4.
2♦: A signoff with six-plus diamonds, something like:
♠4 3 ♥A 2 ♦Q J 10 8 7 6 ♣J 3 2.
2♥/2♠: As mentioned above, this
shows four cards, good diamonds and
opening bid strength, so it's game forcing.

2NT: Invitational, usually balanced,
roughly:
♠K J ♥6 5 4 ♦K Q J 8 7 ♣J 10 7.
3♣/3♦: A little more than 2♣ or
2♦ (invitational). Examples, respectively:
♠- ♥A 3 2 ♦K Q 10 3 2 ♣J 10 7 6 2
♠2 ♥A 3 2 ♦A J 9 8 7 3 2 ♣4 3.
3♥/3♠: Don't make such a bid.
3NT: To play. This is a 100% closeout
bid. Example:
♠5 3 2 ♥4 3 2 ♦A K Q 10 2 ♣A 3.
After 1 of a minor-1 of a major; 1NT
Warning: This could take some study
and memorizing. It can't just be read
once and understood. Sigh.
The number of cards responder has
in the major is crucial. With only four,
responder can abandon any thoughts
of playing in that major; opener would
have raised with four, or showed
spades after a 1♥ response. With six
or more cards, responder will want to
insist on playing in his major; opener
has at least two, so there is at least an
eight-card fit. It is with five cards that
responder's life is difficult. Opener
could have three, and there could be a
5-3 fit. Unfortunately, though, repeating the major typically shows six cards.
Without a convention (called newminor forcing), there are problems. A
one-sentence summary of the convention is that if responder bids the minor
that wasn't opened, it is like Stayman,
but looking for three-card support. For
example, 1♦-1♠; 1NT-2♣ says noth-

ing about clubs but is looking for threecard support of the major. Without that
convention, responder's second bid
would have to be something like this:
2 of opener's minor: Natural, weak,
to play. For example, 1♦-1♥;
1NT-2♦ with:
♠2 ♥K J 3 2 ♦Q 10 7 6 2 ♣J 3 2.
2 of the other minor: Natural and
forcing. For example, 1♣-1♠;
1NT-2♦ with:
♠A Q 10 3 2 ♥4 ♦A Q 7 6 ♣8 3 2.
2 of responder's major: To play
(a signoff ). For example, 1♣-1♥;
1NT-2♥ with:
♠6 ♥Q J 10 9 7 2 ♦A J 8 7 ♣4 3,
or 1♦-1♠; 1NT-2♠ with:
♠K Q 10 9 8 ♥3 ♦Q 4 3 ♣10 8 7 6.
True, there are only five spades and
maybe a 5-2 fit, but 2♠ is probably
better than 1NT.
2 of the other major: If hearts
followed by spades, then natural and
forcing. If spades followed by hearts,
then natural and not forcing.
2NT/3NT : As above after 1♣-1♦;
1NT. For example, 1♦-1♥; 1NT-2NT
with:
♠7 6 ♥A Q 8 7 ♦Q J 8 ♣K 5 4 3,
or 1♦-1♠; 1NT-3NT with:
♠Q 8 7 6 ♥Q 6 5 ♦A K 4 2 ♣Q 3.
Jump to three of an already bid
suit: Invitational, six-plus cards. For
example, 1♦-1♠; 1NT-3♠ with:
♠K J 9 7 6 2 ♥A 6 5 ♦Q 10 2 ♣2,
March 2020 Bridge Bulletin

49
http://www.larryco.com
March 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2020
