Responding to 1 of a Suit Flashcards
What are responder’s priorities when responding to Opener’s opening bid?
- Support opener’s major suit. 2 Explore other suits by suggesting a new suit. 3. Suggest notrump when no viable major suit can be found. 4. Support opener’s minor suit.
When is a notrump contract a better choice than a minor suit contract?
When we have some strength in every suit between the two hands.
When is a minor contract safer than notrump?
When one of our suits is very weak.
At what point/strength ranges does responder want to communicate to his partner?
6-9 HCP (minimum)
10-12 HCP (invitational)
13+ HCP (game forcing)
How many points between the two hands are needed to bid a game?
25 HCPs
When Opener has opened with a bid of 1, at what level is responder showing sufficient points for game?
13+ HCP or a game forcing level
Why is the term “invitational” used to describe a responder’s hand with 10-12 HCPs?
Because responder has almost enough strength for game, but will need opener’s opnion?
Why is the term “minimum” used for a responder’s hand with 6-9 HCPs?
Because it is a minimum response. With fewer than 6 HCPs, responder will pass
How many HCPs are needed to bid a game contract of 3 NT, 4 hearts, and 4 spades?
25 HCPs
Why is the HCP count of 25 the same even though 4 hearts and 4 spades require one more trick than 3NT
Because a good trump suit generally is worth an extra trick.
How many tricks are required for game in a minor suit?
5 tricks over the 6-basic tricks (11 tricks in total)
How many cards do we need in a major suit for a game contract fit?
At least 8 cards
How many major cards does responder need to raise major’s opener of 1 in a major?
3 cards in the major
If responder has a minimal hand (6-9 HCPs), how many levels should responder raise a 1-bid by Opener in a major suit?
Only one level by bidding 2-hearts or 2-spades
If responder has an invitational hand (10-12 HCPs), how many levels should responder raise a 1-bid by Opener in a major suit?
Two levels to 3-hearts or 3-spades
With a fit and a game forcing hand (13+ HCPs), how many levels should responder raise a 1-bid by Opener in a major suit?
Responder should bid a new suit first.
What does responder do when he is unable to raise Opener’s major or when opener opens in a minor suit?
Responder will generally bid a new suit
What is accomplished by bidding a new suit when responder is unable to raise Opener’s major or when opener opens in a minor suit?
It may help to locate a major suit fit., and bidding in a minor suit, helps to explore the possibility of playing a no trump contract because notrump generally requires strength in every suit.
How many cards is responder promising when he bids a new suit?
At least 4 cards because the 5-card majors rule applies to the opening bid only.
What is the one exception to responding in a new suit with at least 4-cards?
A 2-heart response to a 1-spade opening bid promises 5 hearts.
What strength does a 1-level response in a new suit show?
It shows 6+ HCPs (i.e., at least a minimum hand).
What strength does a 2-level response in a new suit show?
It shows 13+ HCP (i.e., a game forcing hand).
What does a 2-level response show about the strength of responder’s hand?
It shows that responder has at least 13+ HCPs?
Should you jump to the 2-level just because you have 13+ HCPs?
No. You should bid cheaply when you respond by bidding at the lowest available level.
What do you do if you have a minimum or invitational hand and no suit bids available at the 1-level?
You bid 1NT as a catch-all for any hand that has no other avialable bid.
After a bid of 1-heart, if you don’t have enough strength for a 2-level response and no 4-card suit, what do you bid?
1NT
If a responder bids a new suit, is it or is not “forcing,” and if it is, what is partner’s obligation?
It is forcing. Partner’s obligation is to bid again.
If responder raises opener’s opening bid, is such a bid “forcing?
No because it limits responder’s strength
Are opener’s bids generally or generally not forcing?
They are generally not forcing.
Is a 1NT bid after a minor opening forcing?
It is not forcing
Is a 1NT response after a major opening forcing?
Yes. It is forcing. That is why it is called “forcing 1NT.
When are raises by responder proper in minor suits?
To raise in a minor suit , responder needs at least 4-cards because opener often just has 4 cards and game in a minor suit requires 8+ cards.
To what level should responder raise a 1-bid minor?
With a fit and 6-9 HCP, raise one level.
With a fit and 10-12 HCP, raise two levels
What does raising a minor suit, say about the number of major cards?
It denies any 4-card major.
Why does a raise to a minor suit deny any 4-card major?
Because you want to show your major suits first and agree to minor suits only after you confirm that no major suit fit exists.
After a minor opening, when should you make a 2NT bid?
When you have a balanced hand and have 10-12 HCPs
After a minor opening, when should you make a 3NT bid?
When you have a balanced hand and 13-15 HCPs
What do bids of 2NT and 3NT say about number of major cards?
Both deny a 4-card major
Do you prefer to raise a minor suit or bid 2NT or 3NT?
You prefer to bid 2NT or 3NT because a notrump contract is more playable than minor suit.
