Responder's Bid

Here is your hand:

♠6
♥
♦QT98542
♣A8643

Playing matchpoints and you are not vulnerable. The Opponents are silent during the auction.

Partner is Dealer and open the bidding 1♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

You are stuck with bidding 1NT.

You cannot "Pass" because you have at least 6 HCP.

You cannot bid a new suit at the 2 level because you need 10 or more HCP.

You cannot raise ♥ because you do not have three of them.

You cannot bid 1♠ because you do not have four of them.

That leaves you with 1NT. This says "Partner I have 6 to a bad 10 HCP, fewer than three ♥ and fewer than four ♠." Which describes your hand perfectly!

Responding 1NT does not show a balanced hand.

Rebids by Responder

Here is your hand:

♠AKJT6
♥AJ84
♦6
♣A82

Playing matchpoints and everyone is vulnerable. The Opponents were silent during the bidding.

Partner was Dealer and opened the bidding 1♦. You decided to respond 1♠. Partner rebid 2♦. What is your call?

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How about 2♥?

This is a FORCING BID. Partner MUST bid again! (New suit by Responder.)

So you don't have to worry about jumping right now. That takes up quite a bit of room in the bidding.

Over Interference

Here is your hand:

♠J4
♥J7652
♦97432
♣7

Playing matchpoints and no one is vulnerable.

Partner was Dealer and opened the bidding 1NT. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bid 2♣ (showing ♣ only). What is your call?

Show Answer

How about "Pass"?

When Partner opened the bidding 1NT you were definitely going to make a Jacoby Transfer bid of 2♦ and then "Pass" Partner's 2♥ response. (Or you would have bid 2♥ to play.)

But the Opponents entered into the bidding. You no longer have to rescue Partner from their NT bid. The Opponents did that.

Now you CAN bid (if you want) but I might not. You have a pretty bad suit and Partner might only have two of them. On the other hand you do have two five card suits and it's an aggressive game these days.

Hey, IF you do decide to bid do you know how to bid the ♥ suit? Would transfers be on? Have you and your Partner talked about that? Best check to make sure you are both in agreement!