Lesson 6(d) - taking charge

How one-of-a-minor opener takes charge

When rebidding after responder raises a minor, opener considers notrumps first when game is the objective, but stays in the minor when partscores or slams are involved. 

 

¨    when responder has made a simple raise of the minor, showing 6-9TP,
5+ support & no four-card major 

 

With a mini         

Opener passes, even with only three cards in the minor - remember that responder has denied a major.

  

With a midi         

Opener bids 2NT with no singleton or void. 

Or, if unbalanced, shifts to new four-card or longer suit (forcing) to indicate where the values are. 

Or else raises agreed suit to invite game if responder is better than minimum. 

e.g. After 1¨:2¨ try 2NT with

ªKTxx ©Ax ¨AQxxx §Kx 

but bid 2ª with ªKQxx ©x ¨AKxxx §AJx

and maybe partner can bid 2NT with the hearts stopped 

and bid 3¨ with ªx ©Axx ¨AQJxxx §KJx 

 

With a maxi         

Opener jumps to 3NT with no singleton or void. 

Or shifts to a new 4+-card suit (forcing) as above.

¨    when responder has jump raised the opened minor, showing 5+ support, 10-12TP and no four-card major

 

With a mini 

With 12-13 TP opener passes, but with 14-15

 TP has a try at 3NT if at least balanced-ish 

 

With a midi         

Opener bids 3NT with no singleton or void.  

Or bids a new 4+-card suit to show where the points are and angles for a 3NT game.  

Or bids five of the agreed minor with 4+ distributional points and no other suit 

 

With a maxi         

Opener bids 3NT with no void or singleton. 

Otherwise bids 5 of agreed minor with 19‑21, and 6 with 22+TP perhaps checking first for aces with 4NT Blackwood. 

 

¨    when responder bids 1NT showing 6‑9 HCP & no four-card or longer major 

With a mini          

Balanced or semi-balanced, opener passes. 

Unbalanced, opener rebids in a four-card or longer lower-ranked minor,

or rebids two of 6+ opened suit,

or repeats two of strong 5m when holding a higher-ranked 4-card suit which must not be bid with minimum values. 

e.g. After 1¨:1NT

pass with ªJxxx ©Kx ¨KQxxx §Ax, 

rebid 2§ with ªQxx ©x ¨AQTxx §KQxx 

rebid 2¨ (not 2ª) with ªAQxx ©x ¨KQJxx §Jxx

With a midi         

Opener invites game by bidding 2NT with no singleton or void. 

Unbalanced, bids 2 of higher-ranked 4-card suit (a reverse - forcing). 

Or jumps in opened 6+ card suit (invitational) 

e.g. After 1§:1NT

bid 2NT with ªKJxx ©Qx ¨Kx §AQJxx, 

reverse to 2© with ªKJx ©AJxx ¨x §AKJxx 

and rebid 3§ with ªx ©Axx ¨Kxx §AKQxxx 

 

With a maxi          

Opener bids 3NT with no singleton or void, 

If unbalanced jump shifts in a new 4+ suit to force to game while searching for a fit 

e.g. After 1¨:1NT

jump shift to 3§ with ªx ©Kx ¨AQJxx §AKJxx 

 

¨    when responder bids 2NT, showing a balanced 13-15 & no 4+-card major 

With a mini         

 

Opener bids 3NT if balanced-ish

 

Or, if unbalanced, repeats opened 6+ minor

 

or bids lower 4+ minor 

 

With a midi          

With a balanced 18 opener bids 3NT 

Unbalanced bids a new 4+ suit 

or repeats 6+ m 

         

With a maxi         

 

Invites notrump slam via 4NT with 19 balanced 

If unbalanced, looks for a fit by jumping to 4 of other minor with at least 5-5. 

Or bids any new 4+ suit. 

Or jumps to slam with a 6-card suit since there must be a fit. 

 

¨    when responder bids 3NT showing a balanced 16-17& no 4+ major 

With a mini   

Opener passes unless very shapely, at least 5-5, in which case bids second suit 

 

With a midi  

 

Opener with 5-4 bids a new suit.

 

Or jumps to slam in a 6-card minor

 

 

With a maxi         

 

Balanced, bids 6NT with 18-19.

         

Unbalanced, bids 4 of second suit. 

Jumps to slam with a 6-card minor. 

Or to slam in lower 5+ minor, asking responder to choose

 

QUIZ 

3.    What is your rebid  after (1) 1¨‑2¨ and (2) 1¨‑3¨ on each of the following? 

a.     ªAJxx  ©KJxx   ¨Qxx       §Kx

b.    ªKx      ©Kx       ¨AKxxx  §KJxx

c.     ªQxx    ©AKxx  ¨Qxxx     §Qx          

4.  What is your rebid  after (1) 1¨‑1NT

     and 1¨‑2NT on each of the following? 

a.     ªAQxx  ©AQxx  ¨Kxx        §Ax

b.    ªKxx     ©x          ¨AQJxxx  §AQx

c.     ªx          ©KJx     ¨KQJxx    §Kxxx

d.    ªx          ©Ax       ¨AKxxx    §AQJxx