Responding to 1 of a Suit

Question 1

What are responder’s priorities when responding to Opener’s opening bid?

Answer 1

1. 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.

Question 2

When is a notrump contract a better choice than a minor suit contract?

Answer 2

When we have some strength in every suit between the two hands.

Question 3

When is a minor contract safer than notrump?

Answer 3

When one of our suits is very weak.

Question 4

At what point/strength ranges does responder want to communicate to his partner?

Answer 4

6-9 HCP (minimum)
10-12 HCP (invitational)
13+ HCP (game forcing)

Question 5

How many points between the two hands are needed to bid a game?

Answer 5

25 HCPs

Question 6

When Opener has opened with a bid of 1, at what level is responder showing sufficient points for game?

Answer 6

13+ HCP or a game forcing level

Question 7

Why is the term “invitational” used to describe a responder’s hand with 10-12 HCPs?

Answer 7

Because responder has almost enough strength for game, but will need opener’s opnion?

Question 8

Why is the term “minimum” used for a responder’s hand with 6-9 HCPs?

Answer 8

Because it is a minimum response. With fewer than 6 HCPs, responder will pass

Question 9

How many HCPs are needed to bid a game contract of 3 NT, 4 hearts, and 4 spades?

Answer 9

25 HCPs

Question 10

Why is the HCP count of 25 the same even though 4 hearts and 4 spades require one more trick than 3NT

Answer 10

Because a good trump suit generally is worth an extra trick.

Question 11

How many tricks are required for game in a minor suit?

Answer 11

5 tricks over the 6-basic tricks (11 tricks in total)

Question 12

How many cards do we need in a major suit for a game contract fit?

Answer 12

At least 8 cards

Question 13

How many major cards does responder need to raise major’s opener of 1 in a major?

Answer 13

3 cards in the major

Question 14

If responder has a minimal hand (6-9 HCPs), how many levels should responder raise a 1-bid by Opener in a major suit?

Answer 14

Only one level by bidding 2-hearts or 2-spades

Question 15

If responder has an invitational hand (10-12 HCPs), how many levels should responder raise a 1-bid by Opener in a major suit?

Answer 15

Two levels to 3-hearts or 3-spades

Question 16

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?

Answer 16

Responder should bid a new suit first.

Question 17

What does responder do when he is unable to raise Opener’s major or when opener opens in a minor suit?

Answer 17

Responder will generally bid a new suit

Question 18

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?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

How many cards is responder promising when he bids a new suit?

Answer 19

At least 4 cards because the 5-card majors rule applies to the opening bid only.

Question 20

What is the one exception to responding in a new suit with at least 4-cards?

Answer 20

A 2-heart response to a 1-spade opening bid promises 5 hearts.

Question 21

What strength does a 1-level response in a new suit show?

Answer 21

It shows 6+ HCPs (i.e., at least a minimum hand).

Question 22

What strength does a 2-level response in a new suit show?

Answer 22

It shows 13+ HCP (i.e., a game forcing hand).

Question 23

What does a 2-level response show about the strength of responder’s hand?

Answer 23

It shows that responder has at least 13+ HCPs?

Question 24

Should you jump to the 2-level just because you have 13+ HCPs?

Answer 24

No. You should bid cheaply when you respond by bidding at the lowest available level.

Question 25

What do you do if you have a minimum or invitational hand and no suit bids available at the 1-level?

Answer 25

You bid 1NT as a catch-all for any hand that has no other avialable bid.

Question 26

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?

Answer 26

1NT

Question 27

If a responder bids a new suit, is it or is not “forcing,” and if it is, what is partner’s obligation?

Answer 27

It is forcing. Partner’s obligation is to bid again.

Question 28

If responder raises opener’s opening bid, is such a bid “forcing?

Answer 28

No because it limits responder’s strength

Question 29

Are opener’s bids generally or generally not forcing?

Answer 29

They are generally not forcing.

Question 30

Is a 1NT bid after a minor opening forcing?

Answer 30

It is not forcing

Question 31

Is a 1NT response after a major opening forcing?

Answer 31

Yes. It is forcing. That is why it is called “forcing 1NT.

Question 32

When are raises by responder proper in minor suits?

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

To what level should responder raise a 1-bid minor?

Answer 33

With a fit and 6-9 HCP, raise one level.
With a fit and 10-12 HCP, raise two levels

Question 34

What does raising a minor suit, say about the number of major cards?

Answer 34

It denies any 4-card major.

Question 35

Why does a raise to a minor suit deny any 4-card major?

Answer 35

Because you want to show your major suits first and agree to minor suits only after you confirm that no major suit fit exists.

Question 36

After a minor opening, when should you make a 2NT bid?

Answer 36

When you have a balanced hand and have 10-12 HCPs

Question 37

After a minor opening, when should you make a 3NT bid?

Answer 37

When you have a balanced hand and 13-15 HCPs

Question 38

What do bids of 2NT and 3NT say about number of major cards?

Answer 38

Both deny a 4-card major

Question 39

Do you prefer to raise a minor suit or bid 2NT or 3NT?

Answer 39

You prefer to bid 2NT or 3NT because a notrump contract is more playable than minor suit.