Guide 2Z27 Main

Responses to One of a Suit

by Richard Pavlicek

When partner opens 1 , 1 , 1 or 1

After a Minor Opening

Partner
1

(opp)
Pass

You
?

With a 5+ card unbid suit

6-10 points	bid suit at 1 level only	F
11-16 points	bid suit at lowest level	F
17+ points	jump in suit	F

With a 4 card major suit

6+ points

bid 1

or 1

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)

Partner
1

(opp)
Pass

You
?

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

Guide 2Z27 Main Top Responses to One of a Suit

After a Major Opening

Partner
1

(opp)
Pass

You
?

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 lowest 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

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 lowest level.

Which Suit To Bid (after a major)

Partner
1

(opp)
Pass

You
?

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

You
Pass
?

(opp)
Pass

Partner
1

(opp)
Pass

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.

Guide 2Z27 Main Top Responses to One of a Suit