Thursday, June 29, 2023

Lesson 7(d) - If opener shows a maxi

How responder takes charge when opener shows a maxi

When opener shows a maxi - game is certain and slam likely with better than minimum  

¨    With 6‑12TP

(1) Responder passes opener's game bid if unable to envisage slam

e.g. After 1§:1©, 4© pass with

ªQx   ©QJxx   ¨Kxxx   §Txx

 

(2) Responder bids game in opener's major with a fit if slam looks unlikely

e.g. After 1¨:1©, 2ª bid 4ª with

ªKxxx  ©QJxx  ¨xx  §Qxx

 

(3) Responder bids 3NT with cover in the unbid suit

e.g. After 1©:1ª, 3§ bid 3NT with

ªKJxx  ©xx  ¨QJxx  §xxx

 

(4) Responder repeats own 6+ card suit

e.g. After 1¨:1ª, 3§ bid 3ª with                          

ªKQJxxx  ©xx    ¨xx  §Qxx

 

(5) Responder bids the fourth suit (artificial) if it is available at the three level

 

¨    With 13+ TP

(1) Responder bids 6 of one of opener's suits with a fit, maybe using Blackwood first

e.g. After 1©:1ª, 3¨ bid 4NT with

ªKQxx  ©x  ¨KQxx  §xxxx

 

(2) Responder bids 6NT with good cover in unbid suits, possibly via Blackwood

e.g. After 1¨:1©. 3§ bid 4NT with

ªAQxx  ©KJxx  ¨Qx  §xxx,

planning to pass over an unlikely 5¨ and to bid 6NT over 5©/ª

 

(3) Responder bids a new suit below game.  Opener will have to bid again and responder can then go to the appropriate slam.

e.g. After 1©:1ª, 3§ bid 3¨with ªAQxxx©K¨QJxx§Kxx,

planning to bid Blackwood next & slam in NT/ª/§ depending on opener's bid over 3¨

  

Forcing, invitational & terminal responses 

In the search for a fit and for the right level (partscore, game, slam) opener needs to know

¨    which bids by responder demand another bid (forcing)

¨    which bids are limited but allow opener to continue to game or slam if better than minimum in shape/strength (invitational)

¨    which bids tell opener to stop (terminal) 

 

After a 1NT opening 

Terminal responses:

¨    Pass (0‑7 balanced)

¨    2¨/©/ª  (0‑7 unbal. with a 5+ suit)

¨    game bids (10‑14)

¨    slam bids (15+)

 

Invitational descriptions:

¨    2NT (8‑9)

¨    4NT (15‑17).  Opener passes with a minimum or bids small slam with better.

 

Forcing responses: 

¨    2§ - Stayman inquiry

¨    3 of a suit (10+ in a major, 14+ in a minor) Opener raises with 3+ support or bids 3NT with a doubleton.

¨    5NT forces opener to choose 6NT with a minimum, 7 with a maximum.

 

The same principles apply after 2NT: Game and slam bids are terminal

¨    4NT is invitational to small slam

¨    5NT forces to small slam at least 

¨    3§ is Stayman

¨    3¨/©/§ asks for 3+ support or 3NT 

 

After one of a suit opening

The only absolutely terminal response: Pass!

 

Invitational descriptions:

¨    Simple raise (6-9 TP)  

Opener passes with a minimum, invites game with a further raise to three, or 2NT perhaps after a minor suit raise,  or bids game or slam.

¨    Jump raise (10-12 TP)

Opener passes or bids game or slam.

¨    Game raise in a major (13-15 TP)   Opener passes or tries for slam.

¨    1 NT (6-9 HCP)        If balanced or semi-balanced, opener passes or bids higher in notrumps if game is possible or certain.  Unbalanced, opener rebids 6+ first suit or bids new 4+ suit.

¨    3NT (16-17) balanced

 

Forcing responses:

¨    Simple shift (only forcing for one round - 1RF)

¨    Jump shift (forcing to game - GF)

¨    2NT (12-15 balanced - GF) 

 

QUIZ

 

3.    Partner opens 1©. You respond 2§. Opener rebids 2¨ (mini or midi). What is your rebid?  What will partner understand by it? 

a.              ªKQx  ©xx  ¨Jx  §KQxxxx

b.             ªxxx  ©xx  ¨Kx  §AQJTxx

c.              ªxx  ©xx  ¨Kxxx  §AKxxx

d.             ªKJxx  ©Qx  ¨x  §AKxxxx

 

4.    Partner opens 1§.  You respond 1©. Opener rebids 2§ (mini).  What is your rebid?  What will partner expect it to show?         

a.            ªxx  ©AKxxx  ¨AQxx  §xx

b.            ªAxx  ©KJxx  ¨QTx  §KJx

 

5.    Partner  opens 1¨.  You respond 1ª.  Opener then ‘reverses’ into 2©, showing 16+ and at least 5-4.  What is your rebid?  What will it tell partner? 

a.              ªKTxx    ©xxx  ¨xx      §QJxx

b.             ªKQxx    ©xxx  ¨Jxx    §xxx

c.              ªKJxx     ©xxx  ¨Kx     §KJxx

d.             ªAQxxx  ©Kx   ¨KJxx  §xx 

ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª ©   


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