Duplicate Bridge results and tips: Useful conventions worth learning, part 99

By Peter Rhead

More examples of your second bid using the Reverse Convention

You are the opener. Today we look at more examples of your second bid using, when possible, the Reverse convention. With each of the following hands, what is your second bid when partner and opponents bid as described?

Case 1:
Spades         AKQJx
Hearts          void
Diamonds     xxx
Clubs            AKJxx

Case 1: With 20 points including two length points in this unbalanced hand, you open One Club because you want to Reverse. Partner bids One Heart. Then you Reverse for your second bid with a bid of One Spade. Partner now knows you are two-suited with a hand that has extra values. Partner CANNOT PASS your Reverse. Partner is now the captain and will place the contract either by bidding game or investigating further.

Case 2:

Spades         AKxxx
Hearts          xx
Diamonds     AQxxx
Clubs            x

Case 2: With this 15 point hand, including two length points, you are not strong enough to Reverse. Therefore you open One Spade hoping to show your Diamonds on your second bid. If you are able to bid the lowest of Two or Three Diamonds, partner can PASS the Diamonds or retreat to Two or Three Spades as a preference bid for a part score. The preference bid does not show extra strength.

Case 3:

Spades         xx
Hearts          AQxxx
Diamonds     KQxxx
Clubs            A

Case 3: With 17 points including two length points, you open this unbalanced hand One Diamond, intending to Reverse. Partner responds One Spade. Your second bid is a Reverse to Two Hearts. Partner now knows you have a two-suited hand with extra values. He becomes the captain with the responsibility to guide the partnership to the best contract.

For more information, check out “Reverses” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know, page 49

Next Week: When could your second bid use the convention “Cuebid Raises”?

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!