Openers rebids

Question 1

You open the bidding 1H

Partner responds 3H

You have 12 points, what do you bid and why?

Answer 1

PASS

Responder made a limit bid showing 10 to 12 points

Your maximum combined points are 24

Even with a maximum from responder you don’t have enough for a game bid of 4H

Question 2

You open the bidding 1H

Partner responds 2H

You have 17 points, what do you bid?

Answer 2

Bid 3H (Invitational)

Responder is showing 6 - 9 points

If they have 6 or 7 you want them to pass

If they have 8 or 9 you want them to bid 4H as you will have a combined total of 25 or more points

Question 3

You open the bidding 1H

Partner responds 3H

You have 15 points, what do you bid and why?

Answer 3

Bid 4H

Responders bid is a limit bid showing heart support and 10 - 12 points

Your minimum combined points is 25, you might even have 26 or 27. Bid GAME straight away, no need to give partner chance to pass an invitational bid!

Question 4

You open the bidding 1H

Partner responds 1S

You have the hand below, what is your rebid and why?

(S) xxxx (H) AKxxx (D) AK (C) Qx

Answer 4

Bid 3S

Responder has denied 4 hearts and shown a new major

You can support their major

You have 16 - 19 points, so jump a level to show a strong hand

Question 5

You open the bidding 1H

Partner responds 2D

You have the hand below, what do you bid and why?

(S) Axxx (H) AKxxx (D) Kx (C) Qx

Answer 5

Bid 2S

Partner has denied 4H and 4S by bidding a minor suit, but you know they have 10+ points

3NT is looking the likely contract, but you are worried about clubs

Show your strength (16+) and shape (5/4) by reversing to 2S

Responder is now in a good place to decide the final contract

Question 6

What is a reverse bid?

Answer 6

A reverse bid is a bid of a new suit above the next level of your initial bid

If you open 1D the next level is 2D

so 2H, 2S, 3C are all above the level of 2D and are reverses

but 1S and 2C are below the level of 2D and are NOT reverses

Question 7

What does a reverse bid show your partner?

Answer 7

It shows a strong hand 16 - 19 points

It shows a 2nd suit, so describes a distribution of at least 5 in your first suit and at least 4 in your second suit

It denies a fit in responders suit if she has bid a MAJOR

Question 8

If you make a reverse bid, can responder pass it

Answer 8

NO….. A reverse bid is ALWAYS forcing for at least one round.

Question 9

What are the priorities for openers rebids?

Answer 9

1. Support responder’s major
2. Show a new suit (4 cards or longer)
3. Rebid NT with a balanced hand
4. Support responders minor (shows 5 of your first suit)

5, Rebid your own suit (at least 5 cards)

Question 10

If you have a balanced hand with 15 or 16 points, what is your rebid

Answer 10

Rebid NT at the lowest available level

Question 11

If you have a balanced hand with 17 or 18 points how do you rebid it after a 1 level response from partner?

Answer 11

Rebid NT but jump a level to 2NT

Question 12

If you have a balanced hand with 17 or 18 points how do you rebid it after a 2 level response from partner?

Answer 12

Bid 3NT, you know partner has at least 10 points

Question 13

If you have a balanced hand with 15 or 16 points

Partner makes a 2 level response showing 10+ points

Can you rebid 3NT immediately instead of rebidding NT at the lowest available level?

Answer 13

The correct response is 2NT to show 15 to 16 points

But, you know you have a combined total of 25+ points

So, many partnerships agree to bid straight to 3NT

AGREE WITH YOUR PARTNER WHAT YOU WILL DO

Question 14

A rebid in NT by opener is a limit response

What are the limit ranges?

Answer 14

A rebid at the lowest available level is 15 - 16 points

A jump rebid is 17 - 18 points

After a 1 level response, a rebid of 3NT shows 19+ points, remember partner might only have 6 points for their 1 level response

Question 15

If responder has made an unlimited response

What should opener try and do?

Answer 15

Limit the strength of their hand

One of the partnership needs to know have you got enough points to get to game as soon as possible

Question 16

Responder bids a new suit at the 1 level

what is the minimum and maximum points they could have

Why do you have to make a rebid?

Answer 16

They will have a minimum of 6 points

If the opponents have zero points and opener has 12 points (unlikely but possible) then responder could have 28 points!!!!

If you pass, partner won’t be pleased if they have 28 points, they are waiting for you to describe your hand further!!

Question 17

You have a lovely suit of your own and want to rebid, what is your rebid with this hand after partner responds 1S?

(S) xxx (H)AKJxxxx (D) A (C) xx

Answer 17

Your rebid is 2H

DON’T jump to 3H to show your long suit

You have a lovely 7 card suit, but it is important to tell partner you have a weak hand (12 - 15 points),

If you get the chance to make another bid, then you can bid 3H to show your length and good suit

Question 18

You have a lovely suit of your own and want to rebid, what is your rebid with this hand after partner responds 1S?

(S) Axx (H)AKJxxxx (D) A (C) xx

Answer 18

Bid 3H

This tells partner you have 16 - 19 points and at least 6 good hearts

Partner might have 6 points and can pass, or…

Partner might also have 16 points and you are now in a good place to investigate slam

Question 19

you open 1H and partner bids 2C what is your rebid with this hand

(S) Axx (H) Kxxx (D) Kxxx (C) Kxx

Answer 19

You don’t have a rebid

You can’t support clubs, rebid your hearts or show a new suit

YOU SHOULD HAVE OPENED THIS HAND 1NT!

Remember it is important to open a balanced 12 - 14 hand 1NT