By Peter Rhead
Six possible second bids by opener after partner’s 1NT response
You have opened one-of-a-suit. Your bid is an unlimited 13-21 points. Partner has responded 1NT. In standard bidding he is showing 6-9 points with little or no support for your opening suit. Partner has limited his hand so you are now the captain. You possess the most information about the two hands in the partnership. It is your responsibility to guide the partnership to the best contract.
This week we examine six possible responses by you for your second bid after the 1NT response by partner.
One choice: with 13-14 points, you have nothing more to contribute. You should PASS showing there is no possible game.
A second choice with 13-14 points is to bid two of your suit which shows six cards, but nothing else to contribute towards a game. You have shown you want the part score in your suit. Partner should PASS your bid.
A third choice is to jump in your suit. This bid indicates you have six cards in your suit and 16-18 points. You are inviting game. If 1NT responding partner is near his maximum 9 points (16+9=25), he should go to game, probably in your suit. Otherwise he should PASS.
A fourth choice is a shift to your second suit in a two-suited hand. This shows a point count of 15-17 with a two-suited hand and again it is an invitation to game. With a good 8 points, partner may go to game 3NT or choose one of your suits. Partner may PASS if minimum or go to a preference bid of your first suit bid. The preference bid does not show additional values. The preference bid is not inviting to game. It is equivalent to PASS.
A fifth choice is a jump shift to a second suit. This shows you have a two-suited hand with 18-21 points and is forcing to game. Partner must not PASS.
A sixth choice is to bid Two No-Trump. This bid confirms that you have 15-17 points in addition to your five-card suit initial bid. 2NT is inviting your partner to go to game if he has 8-9 points. Otherwise partner will PASS.
Next Week: Examples of opener’s second bid after partner’s 1NT response.
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
If you wish to promote an activity in your Bridge group or ask a Bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
0 Comments