Responding to 1NT

Playing matchpoints. You are not vulnerable and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K87
♥KJ9
♦KJ93
♣AT6

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. You play that as 15 to 17 HCP. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

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3NT

This tells Partner you have 10 to 15 HCP (High Card Points) and no four plus card major. Which describes your hand perfectly.

You DO have a VERY nice hand but Partner has 17 HCP AT MOST. Together you are off at least 8 and maybe 10 HCP. Not enough for a slam.

If you do bid 4NT to invite slam, Partner will accept. They have 17 HCP and a five card suit! Extras!

However, you are off one Ace and two Queen's. For Partner to make this slam they need to guess who has the Queen of Diamonds and also the Queen of Clubs! If they even guess one of the Queen's wrong they go down.

What to rebid?

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are not vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠6
♥K9
♦AQJ86
♣AKQJ7

Partner is Dealer and says "Pass". Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) also says "Pass". Last post we decided to open the bidding 1♦. The Opponents do not bid at all. Partner responds 1♠. What is your call?

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3♣.

Jump shift.

This shows an unbalanced hand with enough strength to go to game even if Responder has only 6 points. It also denies having a fit for Responder's major and denies having four ♥ (because with four ♥ you would have bid 2♥) -- all of which is true.

You don't want to rebid 2NT. That doesn't show the strength of your hand and also shows a balanced hand. Partner is allowed to "Pass" 2NT.

Partner is weak. If you don't make a jump shift they will "Pass". You can make game in either minor.

What to Open

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are not vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠6
♥K9
♦AQJ86
♣AKQJ7

Partner is Dealer and says "Pass". Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) also says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With two five card suits always bid the higher ranking suit first.

Even though you have 20 HCP (High Card Points) you cannot open the bidding 2NT. You are way too unbalanced.

You also don't want to make a reverse on this hand. Reverses show length in the first suit. (So if you open 1♣ and reverse into 2♦ you show longer ♣ than ♦.)