Lesson 5(d) - Responding to one of a minor

After 1♣ or 1♦ opening

After 1♣ or 1♦ openings you cannot raise without at least 5-card support.

Even with such support, in your search for the best game, prefer to search for a major suit fit or 3NT rather than commit yourself to a minor suit fit.

Thus, raising partner's minor is one of your last, not first, choices - remember that the minors aren't called the minors for nothing.

To respond to one of a minor, use the following guide, in order of preference:

With 6‑9 TP

• Bid 1 of a 4+ major - longer major first, but the lower of two four-card majors and the higher of two five-card majors
  e.g. Reply 1♥ to 1♣ with
  ♠Axxx ♥QTxx ♦xx ♣Qxx  but

        1♠ with
        ♠Kxxxx ♥QJxxx  ♦Jx  ♣x

• Respond 1NT unless you can bid 1♦ over 1♣ with an unbalanced hand and no four-card or longer major in preference
  e.g. After 1♣ bid 1NT with
  ♠Qxx ♥KJx  ♦Jxxx ♣xxx
  
  but prefer 1♦ with
  ♠x  ♥Kxx  ♦KTxxx  ♣Qxxx

• Simple-raise the minor with 5+ fit
  e.g. Raise 1♣ to 2♣ with
  ♠x  ♥Jxx  ♦Qxxx  ♣Kxxxx

With 10-15 TP    

• Unbalanced, bid your longest 5+ card suit
  e.g. Over 1♦ bid 2♣ with
  ♠Kxxx  ♥xx  ♦Ax  ♣AJxxx, planning to bid spades next

• Bid 1 of a 4+ major with no longer suit
  e.g. Over 1♣, holding
  ♠AQxx  ♥Kx  ♦Qxx  ♣KTxx,   go slowly with a 1♠ response

• Bid game-forcing 2NT with a balanced 12-15 and no 4-card or longer major
  e.g. Over 1♦, holding ♠AJx  ♥Kxx  ♦Axxx  ♣Qxx bid 2NT

• Bid 3NT with a balanced 16-17 and no 4+M
  e.g.  Over 1♣ bid 3NT with
  ♠Axx ♥KQx ♦Axxx ♣KJx
  
  
• Jump raise with 10-12 TP 5+ fit
  e.g.  With ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦Qxxx ♣AQxxx     raise 1♣ to 3♣
  
  
  

With 16+TP 

Jump shift if unsuitable for a 3NT response showing 16-17 balanced with no major biddable at the one level

e.g   Over 1♦ jump to 2♥ with

♠Axx  ♥AKxxx  ♦Kxx  ♣Kx

 

QUIZ

1.             What is your response to partner's 1♥?

a.   ♠Kxxx  ♥A       ♦AQJx     ♣Jxxx
b.   ♠Kxx    ♥Ax     ♦Jxxx       ♣KJxx
c.   ♠Txx     ♥Ax     ♦Qxxxxx  ♣Jx
d.   ♠x         ♥xxx     ♦Qxxx     ♣Axxxx
e.   ♠Axxx   ♥x        ♦Kxx        ♣AQJxx
f.   ♠Kxx     ♥Axxx  ♦AQJxx   ♣x

 

2.             What is your response to partner's 1♦?
a.   ♠Kxxx      ♥Axxx  ♦Ax        ♣xxxb.
b.   ♠Kxx        ♥Ax      ♦Jxxxx   ♣Kxx

c.   ♠Kxx        ♥Axxx  ♦AQJxx  ♣x

d.   ♠Axxx      ♥x         ♦Kxx      ♣AQJxx

e.   ♠Jxxx        ♥x         ♦Qx        ♣AJxxxx

 

3.     How do you respond to partner's 1NT?
a.   ♠xxx        ♥xxx  ♦Jxxxxx  ♣x
b.   ♠AQxxx  ♥KT   ♦Txx       ♣Qxx
c.   ♠Tx          ♥xxx  ♦AKJxx  ♣Qxx

4,       How do you respond to partner's 2NT?
a.    ♠-            ♥Axxxxx  ♦xxx       ♣xxxx
b.    ♠QJxxx  ♥Jxxxx      ♦xx         ♣x
c.    ♠xx         ♥xx           ♦KQxxx  ♣xxxx

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