Bidding Guide 2Z07 by Richard Pavlicek

Responses to One of a Suit

After a Minor Opening

West 1

East  ?

With a 5+ card unbid suit
6-10 points	bid suit at 1 level only	F
11-16 points	bid suit at cheapest level	F
17+ points	jump in suit	F
With a 4 card major suit
6+ points	bid 1 or 1	F
With a balanced hand
6-10 HCP	bid 1 NT	N
11-12 HCP	bid unbid minor	F
13-16 HCP	bid 2 NT	F
17-18 HCP	bid 3 NT	N
With 5+ trumps or at least Q-x-x-x
6-10 points	raise to 2 or 2	N
11-12 points	bid unbid minor	F
13-16 points	raise to 3 or 3	F
17+ points	jump in unbid minor	F

After a 1  opening your hand may be unbalanced if your long suit is clubs.

Normally this shows 4+ cards, but rarely may be a 3 card minor suit as a temporizing bid to describe your point count.

Which Suit To Bid (after a Minor Opening)

With a choice of suits to bid, if you have
a 5+ card suit	bid longest suit
5-5 or 6-6 shape	bid higher suit
no 5+ card suit	bid 4 card major
4-4 in majors	bid 1

After a Major Opening

West 1

East  ?

With 3+ trumps
6-10 points	raise to 2 or 2	N
11-12 points	bid unbid suit	F
13-16 points	raise to 3 or 3	F
17+ points	jump in unbid suit	F
With a 5+ card unbid suit or 4 spades
6-10 points	bid 1 with 4+ spades	F
11-16 points	bid suit at cheapest level	F
17+ points	jump in suit	F
With a balanced hand
11-12 HCP	bid unbid suit	F
13-16 HCP	bid 2 NT	F
17-18 HCP	bid 3 NT	N
As a last resort
6-10 HCP	bid 1 NT	N

This requires 4+ trumps or at least Q-x-x. Failing that you should bid an unbid suit or 2 NT then raise later.

Do not jump if you plan to bid 2 unbid suits or if you have only 4 spades; just bid at the cheapest level.

Which Suit To Bid (after a Major Opening)

With a choice of suits to bid, if you have
a 5+ card suit	bid longest suit
5-5 or 6-6 shape	bid higher suit
4 spades	bid 1
otherwise	bid minor (stronger if both)

Responding as a Passed Hand

West Pass  ?

East 1

Follow the prescribed methods, except
A bid of 2 NT or a raise to 3 shows 11-12 points (invitational). A jump in an unbid suit shows 13+ points (forcing) based on a fit with partner.