So Partner opened the bidding 1 of a minor and you bid 1♥. Now Partner decides to bid 1♠. You have a fit. How do you show it?
First of all, what do you know about partner's hand?
You know that partner has at least 13 HCP and at least 4 cards in the ♠ suit. You also know that Partner does NOT have four ♥. They would have supported your ♥ suit first. But Partner could still have a VERY BIG hand. They could have as much as 18 or even a bad 19 HCP.
If you also have four ♠ tell Partner you have a fit.
Supporting Partner automatically limits your hand.
Since Partner could still have a big hand you want to keep the auction alive if you can. But 1♠ is NOT a forcing bid. A new suit by OPENER is not forcing. (A new suit by Responder is.) So you CAN "Pass" 1♠ but "Pass" only if you have a bad hand.
If you have an opening hand yourself you must bid game. Partner opened. You should have a game.
Raise Partner 1 level only if you are weak (6 to 10 points) and jump a level if you have a invitational hand (about 11 or 12 points).
Here are the responses and what they show. Remember YOU will be Dummy so YOU get to also count Dummy points.
Responder
Opener
1♦
1♥
1♠
Pass
This says Partner I have a terrible hand and I want out of this auction. I should have ♠ tolerance though -- at least three. A bad 6 or 7 points is all I have.
Responder
Opener
1♦
1♥
1♠
2♠
This says partner I have a weak hand -- about 10 points at the most.
Responder
Opener
1♦
1♥
1♠
3♠
This says partner I have an invitational hand -- about 11 or 12 points.
Responder
Opener
1♦
1♥
1♠
4♠
This says partner I have an opening hand myself -- at least 13 points.
Check out the following post to remind you about Dummy points:
Distribution Points
Let's practice using some real hands. On the following hands Partner has opened 1♦. You responded 1♥. Partner bid 1♠. It is your turn to bid. What will you say?
Some words of warning. Partner opened the bidding 1♦. Be wary counting shortness in the ♦ suit. Partner might be counting values in that suit.
Also be wary about counting shortness with honours. Check out this post for more information:
Distribution - Counting Shortness with Honors
You are now on your own! Remember, Partner opened 1♦. You responded 1♥. Partner now responds 1♠. It is your turn to bid. How many points do you have? What will you bid and what are you telling Partner with that bid?
Hand 1
