What to Respond?

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

Here is your hand:
♠K98
♥QJ4
♦Q8642
♣J2

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bids 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

I think you have either two bids on this hand.

The bid I would choose is 1NT. That shows about 6 to 10 HCP with a stopper in the Opponent's suit (♠) and is NON-FORCING. (A stopper is a card that will win a trick and STOP the Opponents from winning the first five tricks in the suit!)

Another bid would be 2♦. This shows 6 to 10 points and promises ♦ support. You'd like to have five ♦ but will do it with four ♦ only if you are stuck because most of the time Partner will have four and you do want to bid when you can.

The reason why I don't like this bid as much is the fact that this is matchpoints and matchpoints is all about playing in NT if you can.

You are fairly balanced and have the Opponent's suit stopped. YOU are the one that must choose the NT. Partner will not be able to. Show them you have a stopper. Your ♦ tricks will take tricks in NT also.

Plus you have outside values in the ♥ suit also.

On this hand both 3NT and 5♦ will make -- however 3NT will make with an overtrick! That 630 points for playing in 3NT rather than 600 points for playing in 5♦.

Yes, one can argue that Partner should ask for a ♠ stopper to play in 3NT if that is a better place to play but Partner has a singleton ♦ and isn't thinking NT.

What to open?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AQ94
♥5
♦8732
♣AQT9

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With two four card minors open the bidding 1♦.

I know right now you are thinking -- why? Why open 1♦? My ♣ suit is sooo much better.

This is true. Your ♣ suit IS better. Much better.

However it is all about rebids -- not about how good your minor is.

Say you open 1♣. What would you do if Partner bid 1NT? Just play there?

If you open 1♦ and Partner bids 1NT. You can rebid 2♣. "Pick one of my minors to play in Partner!" You do rate to have a minor suit fit since Partner should not have a four card major.

Similarly if you open 1♦ and Partner bids 1♥. You can bid 1♠. If Partner then bids 1NT you can rebid 2♣. "Pick one of my suits to play in Partner!"

However if you open 1♣ and Partner bids 1♥ you could be in a little trouble. You can bid 1♠ but if Partner then bids 1NT you cannot rebid 2♦. If Partner likes your ♣ suit better they would have to bid 3♣. That might be too high. So you are stuck playing in 1NT.

Continuation

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K8
♥AQ942
♦QT54
♣A9

You are Dealer. We decided last post to open the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responds 1NT.

What is your call?

Show Answer

2♦

You have a lower ranking four card suit. You are supposed to take Partner out of their 1NT bid and bid your lower ranking suit. You are not even close to jumping to show a nice hand. That would force the bidding to game even if Partner has 6 points!

If you bid 2♦ Partner can (and will!) "PASS".

You can take 10 tricks if ♦ are trump. That's 130 points.

If you "Pass" Partner's 1NT response they can take 7 tricks. (The Opponent's have quite a few ♠ and Partner cannot trump them in 1NT!) That's 90 points.

If you opened the bidding 1NT (last post) then Partner will respond 2NT -- they have 9 HCP -- and even though you will "Pass" the bidding has gotten too high. You will go down in 2NT and lose 100 points.

What to open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K8
♥AQ942
♦QT54
♣A9

You are Dealer. What is your point count and what will you open the bidding?

Show Answer

You do have choices.

You have 15 HCP.

You can choose to open the bidding 1NT. You are somewhat balanced.

You have a five card major. You can open 1♥.

Now if you were TOTALLY balanced there is that whole "should I open 1NT with a five card major?" debate. I'm not going to get into that.

But you are NOT totally balanced. You have two doubletons. It is better to open 1♥.

Rebidding!

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AQJ962
♥Q93
♦A3
♣A9

You are Dealer. You open the bidding 1♠. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responds 1NT.

What is your call?

Show Answer

3♠

This shows a GOOD six card suit with 16 to 18 HCP. Perfect!

If you bid 2♠ you tell Partner you have a six card suit but you also tell Partner you have a minimum opening hand. You don't. You have 17 HCP!

If you bid 2♠ Partner will "Pass" (they only have 8 HCP) and you will take 10 tricks.

If you bid 3♠ Partner will bid 4♠ (game!) and you will take 10 tricks.

What to open?

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

Here is your hand:
♠A875
♥7
♦A983
♣AJ95

Three "Pass"es to you. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With two four card minors open the bidding 1♦.

It is all about rebids.

Say you open 1♣. What would you do if Partner bid 1NT? Just play there?

If you open 1♦ and Partner bids 1NT. You can rebid 2♣. "Pick one of my minors to play in Partner!" You do rate to have a minor suit fit since Partner should not have a four card major.

Similarly if you open 1♦ and Partner bids 1♥. You can bid 1♠. If Partner then bids 1NT you can rebid 2♣. "Pick one of my suits to play in Partner!"

However if you open 1♣ and Partner bids 1♥ you could be in a little trouble. You can bid 1♠ but if Partner then bids 1NT you cannot rebid 2♦. If Partner likes your ♣ suit better they would have to bid 3♣. That might be too high. So you are stuck playing in 1NT.

So you've opened 1NT -- Now What?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AKQ6
♥A53
♦KT75
♣62

You are Dealer. You play 15 to 17 1NT opening bids so you decide to open the bidding 1NT. Both Opponents are silent throughout the auction. Partner says 4NT.

What is your call?

Show Answer

First of all just what is Partner's 4NT bid? Is it asking for Aces?

No. Over a 1NT opening bid, 4♣ is asking for Aces. (Gerber.)

4NT is QUANTITATIVE. Partner is asking if you are minimum or maximum for your opening 1NT bid. With a minimum they want you to "Pass" and with a maximum they want you to bid 6NT. They should have either 16 or 17 HCP.

You are neither. You have 16 HCP. You are right in the middle! What do you do?

Well that depends on just who you are as a bridge player.

If you like to bid your slams then bid 6NT. You have two four card suits that might get you an extra trick. Being slightly unbalanced is better than being perfectly balanced (4-3-3-3).

If you are way too scared of the 6 level then just "Pass".

If you feel you MUST have 33 HCP to be in a small slam, bid 5NT and ask Partner if they have 17 HCP. With 16 they will "Pass" but with 17 HCP will bid 6NT.

(That last bid is more modern. When I was a kid growing up we had to man up and decide for ourselves whether or not to go to slam. No passing the buck to Partner!)

Partner has the hand on the previous post:
♠T75
♥KQ4
♦A984
♣AK5

Everyone took 12 tricks. Some even took all 13 tricks!

Responding to 1NT

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠T75
♥KQ4
♦A984
♣AK5

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. (You play 15-17 1NT opening bids.) Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

You have 16 HCP (High Card Points) and Partner has opened the bidding 1NT. Your correct bid is 4NT.

4NT is QUANTITATIVE. You are asking Partner whether or not they are MINIMUM (15) or MAXIMUM (17) for their bid.

This is all you need to know.

If Partner has 17 HCP you want to be in a small slam. Together the partnership has 33 HCP and that's all you need to make a small slam. (Well, for a good shot at making a small slam!)

However if Partner has 15 HCP you DON'T want to be in a small slam. Together the partnership will have only 31 HCP and that's not QUITE enough to make a small slam. If you had a longer suit maybe...but you don't.

Asking for Aces WON'T help here. The Partner ship could have all four Aces but be missing two Kings and a Queen/Jack combination! That's not good. (Bidding 4♣ over 1NT would be Gerber -- asking Partner how many Aces they have.)

Responder

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

Here is your hand:
♠85
♥K87
♦QJ942
♣863

Partner opens the bidding 1♣. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bids 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm okay with a couple of bids.

The bid I would choose is 1NT. That shows about 6 to 10 HCP with a stopper in the Opponent's suit (♥) and is NON-FORCING. (A stopper is a card that will win a trick and STOP the Opponents from winning the first five tricks in the suit!)

If you are a little intimidated by the colours (vulnerability) I sympathize. You are vulnerable and you have a pretty weak hand. You might go down a trick and lose 100 points. So I'm okay with a "Pass" here also. A little timid but sometimes timid works.

I am NOT okay with bidding 2♦ on this hand. That shows 10 or more HCP (High Card Points) and forces the bidding to a MUCH higher level. Partner must bid again -- remember?

On this hand if you and Partner go past the 1NT level you will go down in your contract. 1NT is the last safe place to be.

Rebids by Responder over 1NT

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠T
♥AJ986
♦KQ
♣KJ754

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You respond 2♦. (You play Jacoby Transfers.) Now Partner dutifully bids 2♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♣. This should show five cards in both suits and forces the Partnership to game.

This is a nice feature of the Jacoby Transfer bid. You are able to show a more distributional hand to give Partner a choice of contracts.

Here you just might be able to get to a small slam. Partner has:
♠A6
♥KT7
♦A52
♣AQT86

and loves BOTH your suits!!!

Opponents

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠KJ43
♥8
♦K753
♣KQ52

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

Double! Take out.

If you bid any suit now Partner will think you have five of them. That's what you need to make an overcall. Make PARTNER choose what suit to play in because you have support for all the other suits!

Overcalls

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

Here is your hand:
♠A85
♥Q7
♦A43
♣AJ973

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 2♦. A weak 2 bid. They have a six card suit and 5-10 HCP.

What is your call?

Show Answer

I would probably bid 2NT.

This would show the equivalent to a 1NT opening bid. Which you have. Plus a stopper in the ♦ suit. Which you have.

I don't really like overcalling 3♣ on this hand. Your suit is pretty bad plus it doesn't quite show the number of points you have (though you should have a nice hand to overcall at the 3 level) nor does it show your stopper for NT. If a game is there it is probably in NT. Get this hand off your chest with a 2NT bid. Now you can let Partner figure out what to do.

Rebids by Responder

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠A872
♥Q9
♦A74
♣A752

Partner opens the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You respond 1♠. (That's pretty easy.) Now Partner rebids 2♣. What is your call?

Show Answer

3NT. You have a balanced opening hand with the ♦ stopped.

Bidding 3♣ would show support for Partner's second suit BUT it is also a bid your Partner can "Pass". You have an opening hand and Partner opened the bidding -- you want to get to game!

Rebids by Responder

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K42
♥54
♦A
♣AKQ7654

Partner opens the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You respond 2♣. (That's pretty easy.) Now Partner rebids 2NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good with SEVERAL bids by you.

The one bid that most people made which I did NOT like was 3♣. The reason I did not like that bid is that Partner is allowed to "Pass" that bid! (If you play 2/1 Game Forcing then Partner is NOT allowed to "Pass" 3♣ and it's a slam try so that is a GOOD bid to make! But if you play normal Standard American this is a bid Partner is allowed to "Pass".)

Bidding 4♣ would be Gerber in this auction -- asking Partner how many Aces they have. It's not a perfect bid but it's an option.

If you do bid Gerber what do you do if Partner shows you one Ace? Do you bid the slam? If you do what slam do you bid? 6♣? 6NT?

Bidding 3NT is a little timid but at least you got to game.

Turns out you can take 12 tricks in either ♣ or NT so bidding the slam is fine. HOWEVER if you bid 3♣ Partner passes and let's you play it there! Oooops!

Rebid question

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

Here is your hand:
♠KQ54
♥KT43
♦T
♣AQ96

You are Dealer. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You decide to open the bidding 1♣. Your Partner responds 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♥.

This tells Partner you have a ♥ fit (so you must have four since Partner only promised four) and about 17 or 18 points (though you'd make this bid with a really good 16 also.)

Only have 14 points you say? You have 14 HCP (High Card Points) but you have three DUMMY points! Don't forget to include those!

Plus don't even THINK about mentioning your ♠ suit first. If you don't support Partner NOW you DON'T have four card support. It's as simple as that.

Responder to bid

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K97
♥J72
♦KJ73
♣K95

You are Dealer and start with a "Pass". Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) says "Pass". Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

First of all you have 11 HCP. You also have four ♦.

There are a couple of options to show this hand.

Option 1 is to support the ♦ by bidding 3♦. This should show ♦ support with 11 or 12 HCP. Which you have. This is not a perfect bid because Partner might only have three ♦. Most of the time they will have four ♦ so you'll probably end up in a pretty good spot.

Option 2 is to bid 2NT. This should show 11 or 12 HCP with a balanced hand, no four card major and a little something in all the rest of the suits. This is not a perfect bid because you don't have much in the ♥ suit. However, Partner could and the Opponents probably don't have much or they would be in the auction bidding.

Which do you think is the best bid and why?

I would probably choose to bid 2NT with this hand.

For one thing you are VERY balanced. You will not be able to ruff anything in this hand so playing in ♦ might not get you any more tricks.

For another thing you want to protect your KINGS. If the opening lead comes into your hand If the Opponents lead anything but a ♥ you will be guaranteed a trick with your King in that suit.

On this one you take 8 tricks in either NT or ♦. Good thing you choose to bid the NT -- 3♦ would be too high! (Partner will "Pass" any bid you make -- they are very minimum.)

Responder must bid

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

Here is your hand:
♠JT72
♥QT54
♦85
♣A72

Partner opens the bidding 1NT. The Opponents are silent during the auction. What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

Your Partner opened the bidding 1NT. You have two four card majors but you CANNOT bid Stayman to ask if Partner has a four card major. You do NOT have enough values. You need at least 8 HCP in order to bid Stayman if you intend to bid again. If you bid 2♣ and Partner responds 2♦ you will have to bid again -- Partner might only have a doubleton ♦ and so do you! If you bid 2NT Partner will think you are inviting game with 8 or 9 HCP. You might get a little too high in the bidding.

So just "Pass" and stay out of trouble.

What to Overcall?

Playing matchpoints. You are vulnerable and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠9
♥AT7
♦AKQJT862
♣4

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good with a couple of bids.

2♦ shows an opening hand with a good five (probably six) card suit. This is an option.

I like 5♦ also. This puts MAXIMUM pressure on the Opponents and they have to decide whether or not to let you play (maybe Doubled?) or to bid further in ♠? With no room to explore, maybe they will guess wrong.

A bid I am NOT okay with is 3♦. This shows a WEAK hand with a seven (maybe even six on the auction!) card suit. Your hand is too strong.

If you bid 2♦ you might discover your seven-three ♥ fit. You can take 11 tricks in either red suit.

If you bid 5♦ you may or may not get Doubled (not many people were) but you can take 11 tricks so you will make your contract in any case.

If you bid 3♦ the Opponents have room to discover their ♣ fit and they can take 11 tricks in ♣. Ooops! Even if you bid 5♦ now they will just bid 6♣ and go happily down one.

Rebids by Responder

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

Here is your hand:
♠95
♥KJ95
♦AQ9
♣AQT2

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You respond 1♥. (That's pretty easy.) Now Partner rebids 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about 3NT? It is most likely your best game.

You CANNOT bid 1NT. That shows about 6 to 10 HCP and is NON-FORCING. It's not even the least bit encouraging!

You CANNOT bid 2NT. That shows about 11 or 12 HCP and is NON-FORCING. It's a bit more encouraging but not enough. Partner is still allowed to "Pass".

3NT gets you to game. You have the unbid suit stopped quite well so should not be worried about that suit. The only suit you might be worried about is the ♠ suit but Partner bid that so the Opponents are not likely to lead that suit even if it is the right thing to do.

What to Overcall?

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

Here is your hand:
♠QJT753
♥AQ
♦QJT
♣J7

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♣. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠

This shows at least 10 HCP (though some will do it on less) with at least a good five card suit.

If you bid 2♠ to show that you have a six card suit you are misleading Partner. You are showing six in your suit but you are also showing a WEAK hand. This is a pre-empt. You should have about 6 to 10 points with a six card suit. You have the six card suit but your hand is too strong!

Responding to a Pre-empt

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

Here is your hand:
♠J87
♥AKJ93
♦AQ6
♣KQ

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 3♣. This shows a good seven card suit with about 5 to 10 points.

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

Show Answer

3♥ is the bid I made with my Partner.

What did my Partner do? He said "Pass"!

Oooops! I obviously meant it as forcing -- I had 20 points! We didn't even have a fit (Partner only had two trump) and I still made 12 tricks. We could make 6♣ or even 6NT since Partner had the ♠ stopped.

The moral of this story is to make sure you discuss with Partner as to whether or not a new suit is forcing over a weak 2 or 3 pre-empt.

If you do NOT play a new suit as forcing the ACBL requires that you ALERT the new suit. (The bid that the pre-empter is allowed to "Pass".)

What to Respond?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠52
♥QJT3
♦KJT4
♣AJ8

Partner opens the bidding 1♠. The Opponents are silent during the auction. What is your call?

Show Answer

2♦.

Quite a few players bid 3NT to show a balanced hand with 13 to 15 HCP. Aside from the fact that you only have 12 HCP (I am willing to give you a hand that wants to force to game), you have a FOUR CARD MAJOR. If you bid 3NT (or even a natural 2NT) you will miss your four-four ♥ fit.

If you bid 2♦, Partner will bid 2♥. Now you can support their ♥ suit and end up in the right spot.

If you play in ♥ you take 12 tricks. (Hard to bid to 6♥ though.)

If you play in 3NT you take 10 tricks. Not nearly as good.

Open!

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠A65
♥AKQ4
♦AKT6
♣72

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

2NT.

This shows a BALANCED hand with 20 or 21 High Card Points. Perfect!

The problem with opening 1♦ is that it is impossible later on to tell Partner you have a balanced hand with 20 points. You can't. If you did have that hand you would have opened the bidding 2NT!

Don't worry about the ♣ suit. A) Your Partner might have something in that suit and/or B) The Opponents might not lead them!

Opening

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

Here is your hand:
♠QJT83
♥AQT92
♦
♣AK3

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠.

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

What to do NOW?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠QT62
♥3
♦AQ83
♣AK76

You are Dealer. We decided last post to open the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the bidding. Your Partner responds 1♥.

What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠.

You should now show your four card major. Partner could have four ♠ also! Bidding 1NT right now DENIES having four ♠.

What to open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠QT62
♥3
♦AQ83
♣AK76

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With four cards in both minors you tend to open 1♦. This makes it quite a bit easier to show your shape later on.

Rebid

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

Here is your hand:
♠AT52
♥K864
♦986
♣T8

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are strangely silent during the auction. You respond 1♥ (four card suits up the line!) and Partner rebids 2♦. What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

You have a nice trump fit for Partner.

More importantly you do NOT have a major suit fit. You told Partner you have four ♥ and Partner did not care.

Then what did Partner do? Did they bid 1♠? No. They do NOT have four ♠. No need to search for a fit in that suit either.

Overcalls

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

Here is your hand:
♠KT8
♥AQJ
♦QJT
♣AJ95

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♦. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

This shows a good 15 to 18 points because you are an overcall.

You wouldn't open the bidding 1NT (you have 18 HCP and are too strong) but you can overcall 1NT with up to 18 HCP.

Open?

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

Here is your hand:
♠A8
♥QJT9
♦985
♣AKJT

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT.

You have a balanced hand with 15 HCP (High Card Points). This is the only way to describe this hand. Don't worry you don't have any high cards in the ♦ suit. If Partner puts you up to game they probably will.

What to Open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠KT96
♥AQ8742
♦K
♣92

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good if you opened the bidding 1♥. You do have 12 HCP (High Card Points). But your singleton K♦ is pretty bad so I get it if you want to "Pass" and come in later.

I'm also okay if you want to "Pass" to start with and come in later to show a nice hand.

I'm NOT okay with opening this hand 2♥ as a weak 2 bid.

A weak 2 bid is reserved for a weak hand with a good six card suit. You have an outside four card major and also 12 HCP which is basically an opening hand. This is NOT a weak hand!

Responding

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠762
♥7
♦KQJ4
♣97652

Partner opens the bidding 1♥. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

This does NOT show a balanced hand.

You are telling Partner you do NOT have three ♥, you do NOT have four ♠ and you have between 6 and 10 High Card Points (HCP). All of which is true.

Bidding 2♣ tells Partner you have 10 or more HCP. Passing tells Partner you don't even have 6 points.

What do you do?

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

Here is your hand:
♠AQ986
♥8742
♦
♣AK84

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

2♣.

You do have a five card major so you might be tempted to transfer to your ♠ suit HOWEVER you also have a four card ♥ suit. If you transfer to ♠ you will never find your ♥ fit!

If you didn't have the values for Stayman you would just transfer to your 5 card major and "Pass" but here you do have the values for Stayman. If Partner responds 2♦ you can always jump to 3♠ to let them know you have a five card suit with a forcing to game hand.

What to Open?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K96
♥QT
♦AKQ63
♣QT2

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT.

This shows a BALANCED hand with 15 to 17 High Card Points. Perfect!

The problem with opening 1♦ is that it is impossible later on to tell Partner you have a balanced hand with 15 to 17 points. You can't. If you did have that hand you would have opened the bidding 1NT!

If you open the bidding 1♦ then what are you going to bid over 1♥? A jump to 3♦ shows a SIX card suit.

What to do?

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

Here is your hand:
♠KJT
♥K98752
♦A
♣Q54

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. Your Left Hand Opponent says "15 to 17!" just like they should in duplicate.

What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

You've got nothing you really need to say on this hand. Did you really want to talk about that ♥ suit of yours?

For one thing, your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) has not bid yet. They could be sitting there with quite a few points still!

For another thing, your ♥ suit is really not that good.

I might feel a little different if your LHO opened the bidding 1NT and it went "Pass", "Pass" to you. Now you just want to get them out of their 1NT contract plus you know that RHO (Right Hand Opponent) doesn't have much or they would have made a bid.

A Rebid

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠T93
♥KQJT
♦A64
♣A96

You open the bidding 1♣. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responds 1♥. What is your call and what are you telling Partner?

Show Answer

2♥

This shows a minimum opening hand (up to a bad 16 points) with four ♥.

Rebid Problem

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

Here is your hand:
♠QT7
♥54
♦AKQ
♣AK953

You are Dealer and open the bidding 1♣. The Opponents are silent during the bidding. Partner responds 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

2NT

This shows a balanced hand with 18 or 19 HCP (High Card Points). Perfect!

Don't rebid your ♣ suit. 3♣ shows a SIX card suit with 16 to 18 HCP.

What do you do?

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

Here is your hand:
♠AQ9532
♥Q98
♦Q2
♣72

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♠. (Yep, that's right. Your beautiful six card suit!)

What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

You've got nothing to bid on this hand. A "Double" would be take out saying "Partner, bid anything but ♠!"

If you "Pass" the Opponents get into trouble since they have no fit and only half the points in the deck.

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?

Show Answer

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?

Show Answer

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 ♦.)

Respond!

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠J5
♥KJ6
♦A873
♣A732

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good with a few bids.

3NT is an acceptable bid but I might be worried about that ♠ suit. Just because your RHO said "Pass" doesn't mean that your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) doesn't have ♠ and they will be the one leading to 3NT! However it does show your point count and you do get to a game. Both 1NT and 2NT can be passed.

Probably the best bid is 2♣. This is just a forcing bid that shows at least 10 HCP (High Card Points) and forces your Partner to bid again.

If you bid 2♣ Partner will bid 2NT and you can raise to 3NT.

If you had bid 3NT Partner does have the ♠ stopped so you will have reached the best contract.

If you bid either 1NT or 2NT Partner will "Pass" and you will have missed a game! 10 tricks are available in NT.

Opener Rebids

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

Here is your hand:
♠AJ32
♥3
♦AQ965
♣K87

You are Dealer and decide to open the bidding 1♦. Partner responds 1♠. The Opponents are not bidding. What is your call over 1♠?

Show Answer

Bid 3♠. This shows a 17 or 18 points (good 16) with four ♠.

You have 14 HCP (High Card Points) and 3 DUMMY points (you will be Dummy!) so that is a NICE hand! You need to bid more than just 2♠.

What do you respond?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AQ962
♥AQJ98
♦K
♣92

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the auction. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠

With two FIVE card suits you bid the HIGHER ranking one first.

With two FOUR card suits bid them up the line. (The one next in line in the bidding ladder.)

An Overcall

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

Here is your hand:
♠AQ7
♥986
♦AJ93
♣KT3

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♣. Partner says "Pass" and your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

This shows about 12 to 14 points ONLY because you are in the BALANCING position.

If you "Pass" right now the auction is over. Your LHO didn't open with a strong 2♣ bid and your RHO could not bid at all. Your PARTNER must have some values but they just couldn't make a bid.

If you "Pass" 1♣ the Opponents will just take 7 tricks. That's 70 points for them.

If you bid 1NT you will play it there and take 8 tricks. That's 120 points for you!

Rebids by Opener

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠J9
♥AKJ3
♦AK8
♣K542

You are Dealer. You decide to open the bidding 1♣. Both Opponents are silent throughout the auction. Partner says 1♥.

What is your call?

Show Answer

4♥.

This shows about 19-21 points with four ♥.

You could also bid 2NT to show a balanced 18 or 19 point hand. But that would DENY having ♥ support. Which you have.

If Partner had responded 1♠ your bid would be 2NT.

Rebids by Opener

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠3
♥AJ53
♦AK9
♣AQ983

You are Dealer. You decide to open the bidding 1♣. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) says "Pass", Partner says "Pass" and your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bids 1♠.

What is your call?

Show Answer

How about "Double"?

In this auction it is still essentially the same as a "Take Out Double". It basically means "BID something Partner, because I have some stuff I haven't showed you but I don't know what to do!"

You could also make a reverse -- bid 2♥. This would show a strong, unbalanced hand -- which is what you have. But you ALSO have support for a long ♦ suit Partner might have.

Doubling gives Partner more choices. Everyone loves to be given a choice. It still shows a strong hand (with a weaker hand you would just "Pass") but now you are saying you can support anything BUT ♠. You want to play in PARTNER's longest suit.

Turns out Partner has a WEAK hand (obviously, they did "Pass" your opening bid!) with SIX ♦.

If you Double (and are aggressive enough in the bidding!) you can bid (and MAKE!) 5♦! That's game!

If you reverse, you will find your ♣ fit but you can only take 10 tricks if ♣ are trump. That's not enough for a game.

Rebids by Opener

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AJ6
♥Q53
♦AK7
♣A952

You are Dealer. You decide to open the bidding 1♣ because you are too strong to open the bidding 1NT. (You play 15 to 17 NT's.)

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) says "Pass" and your Partner says "Pass"! Luckily your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) now bids "Double".

What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT.

This shows a BALANCED hand with 18 or 19 High Card Points. Perfect!

Now NORMALLY you would have to jump to 2NT to show a balanced hand with 18 or 19 points. That is if Partner had responded to your opening bid. You could NOT rebid 1NT since that would show a balanced, MINIMUM hand with less than 15 HCP. So you would have to jump to 2NT to show a balanced hand with 18 or 19 HCP. (Not enough to open 2NT but too much to open 1NT.)

However in THIS auction Partner passed. They do not have enough points to respond to your opening bid. That means they do not have 6 HCP or even a good 5 HCP. They've got NOTHING! So with a MINIMUM hand you would just "PASS" and stay out of trouble!

What to Open?

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

Here is your hand:
♠AJT9862
♥7
♦843
♣K3

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♠.

This tells Partner you have about 6 to 10 points and SEVEN ♠.

Bidding 2♠ would show the same point count with SIX ♠.

Responding to a Strong 2 Club bid

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠743
♥96
♦8432
♣9542

Partner opens the bidding 2♣. You play a STRONG 2♣. This is an artificial bid saying "I am strong Partner!" The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. You bid 2♦ which is just a waiting bid. Shows zero or more points and just asks Partner to tell you just WHY they have such a strong hand.

Partner now bids 2♥. This says "I opened 2♣ because I have SUCH a strong ♥ suit I was sure we'd miss a game if I opened it 1♥ and you didn't have enough points to respond. So since I'd HATE it if you passed, I opened 2♣ to make sure you didn't!"

What is your call?

Show Answer

If you can make a second negative bid to show Partner you have absolutely NOTHING in your hand that's a good bid. But that's a little advanced for this blog so I'm going to ignore that bid. (Unless you know it and bid it -- good job!)

So for those who don't have that second negative bid in their bidding arsenal, this is a tough one but I'd suck it up and raise ♥.

But honestly I am good with almost ANY bid but PASS. You CANNOT PASS Partner's 2♥ bid! They opened 2♣ to make sure you WOULDN'T "Pass" them when they showed their ♥ suit! If they were okay with you passing when they bid their ♥ suit they would have opened 1♥.

Since you MUST take a call over 2♥ you have limited options. You can't bid another suit. You don't have another suit.

You hate to bid 2NT because if the hand should be played in NT then you want PARTNER to be the one playing it. Besides you have no tricks in any suit and Partner does not guarantee any either. Sure they have a strong hand but they don't have to have any values in the ♠ suit for example.

So since I can't bid another suit and I don't want to bid NT I'm going to raise Partner's suit even with only two. Maybe they have six in their suit. Who knows?

P.S. On this particular hand Partner has:
♠KQT
♥AKQT3
♦AKQ5
♣7

They take 11 tricks in ♥ (even on their 5-2 fit) but only 8 tricks in NT. (The Opponents take four ♣ and the A♠.)

Responding

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

Here is your hand:
♠8643
♥AJ4
♦K32
♣Q93

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♣. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠.

This tells Partner you have at least 6 points and at least four ♠. This does NOT say you have good ♠. (You don't.)

Bidding 1NT would show 6 to 10 points and a balanced hand (on this auction only) but NO FOUR CARD MAJOR.

You do have a ♠ fit but if you bid 1NT instead of 1♠ you will NEVER find your ♠ fit.

You take 8 tricks in 1NT (which scores 120 points) but you can take 10 tricks if ♠ are trump (which score 170 points since you won't bid the game).

Responding to 1NT

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

Here is your hand:
♠JT842
♥82
♦T8654
♣6

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

Do you play Jacoby Transfers?

If you do bid 2♥. This FORCES Partner to bid 2♠. Then you can "Pass".

If you don't play Jacoby Transfers you are better off playing in 2♠ rather than in 1NT. So bid 2♠. Your Partner is supposed to "Pass" that bid.

BOTH those bids you are allowed to make with ZERO points. So don't worry you don't have enough points to bid. With such a distributional hand you want to play in a trump suit.

Check out the following to learn about Jacoby Transfers. They are a nice bid to know!
Introducing Jacoby Transfers

Rebidding when the Oppoents get involved

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AJ3
♥KJ5
♦JT73
♣QJ7

You are Dealer. You decide to open the bidding 1♦. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) says "Pass". Partner responds 1♥. Now your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bid 2♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

Pass.

I can hear you shrieking: "But I HAVE to tell Partner I have the ♠ stopped!!! I must bid 2NT!"

Do you? Does Partner (who only has 6 points) REALLY care if you have the ♠ stopped?

No. They do not. They want you to "Pass" and try to defeat the Opponents.

Think about it. If you RHO had Passed would you have rebid 2NT?

No. That shows about 18 or 19 points.

Bidding 2NT in this auction shows much the same point count as if you had jumped to rebid 2NT. Which in a way you did. You just didn't have to jump because your RHO did it for you.

"But what if my Partner has a nice hand? Shouldn't I bid then?"

No. PARTNER with a nice hand can bid. Once they bid to show a nice hand THEN you can show your ♠ stoppers if you want.

Don't let your Opponents force you into making bid you don't want to bid.

What to Open?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AKJ5
♥A73
♦Q9
♣AQ63

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

2NT.

This shows a BALANCED hand with 20 or 21 High Card Points. Perfect!

The problem with opening 1♣ is that it is impossible later on to tell Partner you have a balanced hand with 20 points. You can't. If you did have that hand you would have opened the bidding 2NT!

Responding

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

Here is your hand:
♠432
♥AJ2
♦AJ632
♣63

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

3NT.

This tells Partner you have 10 to 15 HCP with no major.

You do have a nice ♦ suit. This is true. But this nice ♦ suit will take tricks in NT as well as in ♦.

You take 11 tricks on this hand.

Which means you WILL make 5♦ and score 400 points.

But you will also make 3NT with TWO overtricks. This will score you 460 points.

If you play matchpoints the overtricks are HUGH. If you bid 5♦ you only beat one pair. (One pair couldn't get to game.) EVERYONE else bid to 3NT.

Responding

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠A52
♥K874
♦AT43
♣T8

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO bid 3♥. (Ouch! That makes it tough!)

What is your call?

Show Answer

This is a tough one but I'd suck it up and bid 3NT.

You HATE to "Pass" and really have nothing else to bid. I'd be a little worried about taking 11 tricks in 5♦.

Rebids!

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

Here is your hand:
♠AJ876
♥A7
♦AQJ2
♣K6

You are Dealer. You decide to open the bidding 1♠. The Opponents "Pass" throughout. Partner responds 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♦

This is a JUMP SHIFT. Shows five (or more) ♠ and four (or more) ♦ and is FORCING to GAME. So you need at least 19 points to make this bid.

Perfectly describes your hand!

What to Respond?

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

Here is your hand:
♠
♥T9532
♦KT5
♣QJ872

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♠. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

What?!? With a VOID in ♠?!?

Yes. Bidding 1NT in this auction does NOT say you have a balanced hand. It says you have 6 to 10 points and fewer than three ♠.

Which describes your hand perfectly.

If you "Pass" because you don't want to respond 1NT (and I really don't blame you -- it is an ugly 1NT response) you tell Partner you have fewer than 6 HCP. Which is NOT true. Plus Partner has a BIG hand and you will not reach your game.

If you bid a new suit at the 2 level that tells Partner you have at least 10 HCP (High Card Points) and Partner will get VERY excited with their hand! You'll probably get way too high! (At least you would if you were MY Partner!)

What to Respond

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

Here is your hand:
♠73
♥A953
♦A4
♣K9653

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♣. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

1♥

You DO have a ♣ fit. This is true. But you MIGHT have a ♥ fit. Try to find that.

If you DO find a ♥ fit then you can investigate game.

If you DON'T find a ♥ fit then you can always tell Partner about your ♣ then.

Opener's Rebid

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠J62
♥A874
♦KQT5
♣KJ

Partner is Dealer and passes. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) also passes. You open the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Your Partner responds 1♥.

Is 1♥ a forcing bid?

What is your call?

Show Answer

1♥ is NORMALLY a forcing bid but in this auction it would NOT be. Partner started off by passing. Partner doesn't have an opening hand. You are allowed to pass 1♥ if you have a minimum opening hand.

BUT you don't. You have a decent 14 count. Bid 2♥ just in case Partner was close to opening the bidding. (Here they had 11 points and if you passed you would have missed a game.)

Rebid

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AKT5
♥QJ5
♦T85
♣KT5

You are Dealer and open the bidding 1♣. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Your Partner responds 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♠

Bid your FOUR card major BEFORE bidding 1NT.

Opening Dilema

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

Here is your hand:
♠QT972
♥KQT97
♦A
♣Q6

You are Dealer. What do you open the bidding?

Show Answer

1♠.

With two FIVE card suits always, Always, ALWAYS bid the HIGHER RANKING suit first.

Advancer Bids!

Just who is the Advancer? The Partner of the Overcaller! Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AK86
♥T95
♦KQT2
♣96

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♣. Partner bids 1♥. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

2♣.

You have a STRONG hand! You have to communicate that to Partner. By Cuebidding the Opponents suit you FORCE Partner to bid. It tends to (in this auction) show support for Partner's suit and 11+ points.

If you bid a simple 2♥ Partner will just "Pass". They won't believe the partnership has enough for a game.

Opener's rebid

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K5
♥AKQJ3
♦A862
♣A4

You decide to open the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner bids 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♦. Make a JUMP SHIFT. This should show an unbalanced hand with five ♥ and four ♦. GAME FORCING!

Rebidding 2NT shows a BALANCED hand with about 18 or 19 HCP. Partner is allowed to "PASS" that bid! Which you certainly don't want!

Rebidding 2♦ shows an UNBALANCED hand which could be minimum. (Although you could have up to a bad 18 points also -- just short of a jump shift.) Partner is allowed to "PASS" 2♦! Which you certainly don't want!

Did you like your opening bid of 1♥? It's not a bad bid and actually gets you to a better contract. You'll reach 4♥.

If you open the bidding either 2NT or 2♣ followed by 2NT you don't get to tell Partner you have five ♥ and you won't reach your ♥ fit.

If you play in ♥ you take 11 tricks.

If you play in NT you take 10 tricks.

Unbalanced hands tend to play better in a major suit.

What to Bid?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠J9765
♥7
♦Q763
♣972

Partner opens the bidding 1♠. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Double". What is your call?

Show Answer

4♠

This bid shows a weak hand with FIVE trump and shortness.

Perfect!

Lead Problem

Here is your hand:
♠542
♥KJT8
♦AQ7
♣532

The contract is 1NT. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opened the bidding 1NT and everyone passed. You are on lead. What do you lead?

Show Answer

J♥

You tend to want to lead your longest suit in a NT contract. ♥ is your longest suit.

When leading, you need to play TOP of an INTERNAL SEQUENCE.

Internal Sequences

When leading you want to play TOP of a SEQUENCE if you have one. In NT you are supposed to have a THREE card sequence. So THREE cards that are in order.

So from KQJx you would lead the King.

From QJTx you would lead the Queen.

From JT9x you would lead the Jack.

However the THIRD card is allowed to skip by one pip.

So from KQTx you would still lead the King.

From QJ9x you would lead still the Queen.

From JT8x you would still lead the Jack.

If you have a higher card (should be at least two cards higher than the card you are leading) than the top of your sequence you still lead the TOP of the sequence. This is called leading from an INTERNAL sequence. A sequence with a higher card above it.

The higher card should be at least two cards higher than the card you are leading. Leading the Jack would DENY having the Queen (one card higher than the card you lead) but you still could have the King or even the Ace.

Note that the INTERNAL sequence MUST be headed by an honour. TENs in this case are considered honours.

So from AQJT you would lead the Queen. This does DENY having the King but you could still have the Ace.

From AJT9 you would lead the Jack. This does DENY having the Queen but you could still have the Ace (or King).

From KJT9 you would lead the Jack. This does DENY having the Queen but you could still have the King (or Ace).

From QT98 you would lead the Ten. This does DENY having the Jack but you could still have the Queen (or King).

From KT98 you would lead the Ten. This does DENY having the Jack but you could still have the King (or Queen).

Opener must bid again!

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AJ65
♥A2
♦K842
♣AQ7

You open the bidding 1♦. (You are too strong to open the bidding 1NT since you play a 15 to 17 range.) Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) makes a 1♥ overcall. Partner passes and your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) passes. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good with one of two bids.

The best bid is Double.

Double is almost like a take out double here. It says "BID, PARTNER! BID!"

Which is what you want to happen. You want Partner to bid any suit other than ♥.

Doubles can be tricky though and I understand if you don't want to Double on the hand because Partner might not understand the bid or you just don't play it often enough that it comes to mind.

Another good bid is 1NT.

Not that that should be (ONE) 1NT. NOT (TWO) 2NT.

I can hear some asking -- "But don't I have to jump to 2NT to show my balanced 18 or 19 point hand?"

You do if PARTNER had responded 1♥. But Partner passed. Partner has a bad hand. They couldn't even bid over 1♥.

With a balanced minimum opening hand you would just pass 1♥.

Therefore you no longer need to jump to tell Partner you have 18 or 19. Just by bidding 1NT (IN THIS AUCTION!) you show a strong, balanced hand.

What to open?

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

Here is your hand:
♠9
♥AK98764
♦65
♣J76

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and Passes. What is your call?

Show Answer

3♥.

Weak.
A weak two bid you will make with a SIX card suit.

You have a seven card suit. So up the pre-empt a level.

Responder Rebids

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

Here is your hand:
♠KT83
♥KT762
♦T3
♣T9

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the bidding. You respond 1♥. Now Partner rebids 2♣. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about 2♦?

Partner is showing at least five ♦ and at least four ♣. Their ♦ suit should be the same length or longer than their ♣ suit.

You probably don't have a minor suit fit. True.

But you probably don't have a major suit fit either!

Over your 1♥ bid Partner WOULD HAVE bid 1♠ if they had four of them. They choose instead to bid 2♣. They don't have four ♠. So don't bid 2♠ telling Partner you do. You will get the Partnership TOO HIGH. You are WEAK.

In fact you are too weak to do anything but take a preference to either of Partner's suits. You prefer ♦ (since they should be longer or the same length) so bid 2♦.

Rebid Problem

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠AKQJ7
♥865
♦K9
♣942

Partner opens the bidding 1♣. The Opponents are silent during the auction. You respond 1♠. (That's pretty easy.) Now Partner rebids 2♣. What is your call?

Show Answer

I'm good with SEVERAL bids by you. These bids include 3NT, 2♦ and not as crazy about 2♥ but this bid will work out also.

Bids I do NOT like are non game bids that Partner is allowed to "Pass". These include 2♠, 3♣ and 2NT.

First of all Partner opened the bidding. You have an opening hand. YOU need to get the partnership to game. Not Partner. Partner opened -- they did their job. You need to do your job now. YOU know you have an opening hand -- you have to communicate that to Partner.

2♠ shows a weak hand (about 6 to a bad 10 points) with a six card suit. Partner will "Pass" unless they are very strong or very distributional.

3♣ will NOT get the partnership to game. This is a NON-FORCING bid. Partner will just "Pass".

2NT will also NOT get the partnership to game. You show about 11 or 12 points with this bid. A couple less than what you have. This is also a NON-FORCING bid. Partner will just "Pass".

You belong in a game. In Matchpoints, unless there is a GOOD reason not to play in 3NT, you play in 3NT with a minor suit fit. "BUT I have no high cards in the other suits!" you might cry. True -- but what the heck did Partner open the bidding on? Besides the Opponents don't have a good suit or they'd be in the auction bidding.

However bidding 3NT will shut the auction down and you still could have a ♠ fit. Partner might have three of them. In order to find out if Partner has three ♠ BID A NEW SUIT. New suits are FORCING by Responder so you don't even have to jump taking up room in the bidding. For example 2♦ or 2♥. (I'm less crazy about 2♥ because I don't like lying about a major suit. Partner could still have four of them and not quite get the joke.) If you do this the FIRST thing Partner will do is tell you they have three ♠. Then you'll have found your fit and bid game.

As long as you either bid game OR a forcing bid you end up in the right spot.

What to Open?

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K94
♥32
♦AK82
♣AK32

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1NT

Show your balanced 15 to 17 HCP.

If you open 1♦ what are you going to do if Partner responds 1♥?

Bidding 1NT right now would show a balanced hand with less than 15 HCP. (With a balanced hand and 15 HCP you would open 1NT.)

Bidding 2NT right now would show a balanced hand with 18 or 19 HCP. (With a balanced hand and 17 HCP you would open 1NT.)

What to respond to 1NT?

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

Here is your hand:
♠72
♥842
♦KQ85
♣KQ76

Partner is Dealer and open the bidding 1NT (15 to 17 HCP). The Opponents are silent during the auction. What is your call?

Show Answer

3NT

You have the values for game. You are balanced. Just bid game.

Some people bid 2♣ on this hand. This is a bid called "Stayman" which asks Partner if they have a four card major. You do not care if Partner has one or even two four card majors. YOU do not have a four card major so you won't find a fit!