Rebid by Responder

Here is your hand:
♠A72
♥AKQ4
♦962
♣983

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) is Dealer and says "Pass". Partner bids 1♣. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your bid?

Your first bid is easy. I hope everyone bid 1♥ on this hand. This shows four or more ♥ and at least 6 HCP. This also forces Partner to bid again. Which Partner does. Partner rebids 2♣. Now it is back to you. What do you bid NOW?

Show Answer

Answer:

This is a tough one to bid properly.

The thing to remember is that Partner opened the bidding. You also have an opening hand. You NEED to either get Partner to a game or FORCE Partner to bid again so that you can figure out what game you want to bid.

The easiest bid to make is 3NT.

AHHHHH! Without a ♦ stopper?!? How can you possible recommend bidding 3NT without a ♦ stopper!?!

First of all -- relax. The opponents are NOT bidding ♦. If they have all the honours in ♦ and five of them they probably would be bidding ♦.

Second of all Partner opened the bidding. They must have values somewhere. Maybe they have a ♦ card? Sure it COULD be all in the black suits but that would be pretty unlucky. Even then the opponents might not lead a ♦ . Or maybe the ♦ split 4-4 since no one is overcalling the suit.

However I don't actually mind if you don't want to bid 3NT on this hand.

If you don't bid 3NT what are you going to bid?

Believe it or not you need to bid 2♦ on this hand.

Why 2♦? Because it is a FORCING bid. Partner MUST bid again. They will bid 2NT and then you can happily bid 3NT to get to your game.

If you bid 3♣ on this hand guess what? Partner PASSES. You just missed a game.

Rebid after a Jacoby Transfer

Here is your hand:
♠AK853
♥J3
♦9642
♣Q8

Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) is Dealer and says "Pass". Partner bids 1NT which you quickly say "15 to 17" to. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call? You and Partner have agreed to play Jacoby transfers.

I hope everyone bid 2♥ on this hand. This shows five or more ♠ and does not require any points at all to bid. This also forces Partner to bid 2♠. Which Partner does. Now it is back to you. What do you bid NOW?

Show Answer

Answer:

I hope everyone bid 3NT!

You have the values for a game. You NEED to put Partner into a game. After all they have no idea you have this many points.

The problem is you have no idea which game you want to play in. Maybe 3NT? Maybe 4♠?

But remember you TOLD Partner you have five ♠ when you made your Jacoby transfer bid.

Partner KNOWS you have five ♠.

If you bid 3NT Partner can always correct to 4♠. If they have a fit for your ♠ they will.

If you bid 2NT you made a bid Partner can say "Pass" to when you should be in a game. If you bid 3♠ you showed SIX ♠ in your hand plus invitational values only. Again, this is a bid Partner is allowed to "Pass" if they have only 15 or a bad 16 points.

If you bid 4♠ you showed SIX ♠ in your hand which you don't have. Partner might only have two ♠ in their hand remember? (But at least you bid a game!)

What would you Bid?

Here is your hand:
♠J3
♥T52
♦KT943
♣Q62

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

If it makes a difference, you and Partner are vulnerable and the opponents are not vulnerable.

What is your call?

Show Answer

Answer:

I hope everyone PASSED!

You do have 6 HCP. If Partner had OPENED the bidding 1♠ you would be required to respond 1NT.

But Partner did NOT open the bidding. Partner made an OVERCALL. Partner is showing a good five card suit but does NOT necessarily have an opening hand. They are only making a 1 level overcall. You do not need an opening hand for that.

In order for you (as ADVANCER rather than RESPONDER) to bid 1NT now you NEED a stopper in the suit the opponents opened. Since the opponents opened 1♥ you guarantee a trick in the ♥ suit when you bid 1NT.

Plus I would also recommend 8-11 HCP also to make this bid. Partner might make this bid with only 7 or 8 points.