Guide 2Z45 Main


Strong Opening Bids


 by Richard Pavlicek

Opening bids of 2 C, 2 NT and 3 NT

Responses to Two Notrump (21-22)

Partner
2 NT		(opp)
Pass		You
?

With a 4 card major (not 4-3-3-3 shape)

4+ pointsbid 3 C StaymanF

With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor

4-9 pointsbid 4 H, 4 S, 5 C or 5 DS

With a 5+ card major

4+ pointsbid 3 H or 3 SF

With a 5+ card minor

10+ pointsbid 3 C1 or 3 DF

With any other hand

0-3 pointspass
4-10 pointsbid 3 NTS

1 Since 3 C is Stayman you must bid 4 C at your next turn.

Responses to Three Notrump (25-26)

Partner
3 NT		(opp)
Pass		You
?

With a 4 card major (not 4-3-3-3 shape)

7+ pointsbid 4 C StaymanF

With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor

2-6 pointsbid 4 H, 4 S, 5 C or 5 DS

With a 5+ card suit

7+ pointsbid 4 C2 or 4 DF

With any other hand

0-6 pointspass

2 Since 4 C is Stayman you must bid your real suit (clubs, hearts or spades) at your next turn (forcing).

Guide 2Z45 MainTop Strong Opening Bids

Responses to Two Clubs (23+)

Partner
2 C		(opp)
Pass		You
?

With any hand

0-7 HCPbid 2 D (negative)F

With a 5+ card suit3

8+ HCPbid 2 H, 2 S, 3 C or 3 DF

With a balanced hand3

8+ HCPbid 2 NTF

3 With 4-4-4-1 shape there is no prescribed response. You may bid a good 4 card suit, or 2 NT with a singleton ace or king.

Rebids by Opener after Negative Response

You
2 C
?		(opp)
Pass		Partner
2 D		(opp)
Pass

With a balanced hand4

23-24 HCPbid 2 NTN
27-28 HCPbid 3 NTN

With a 5+ card suit4

23+ pointsbid 2 H, 2 S, 3 C or 3 DF

4 With 4-4-4-1 shape there is no prescribed rebid. You may bid a strong 4 card suit, or notrump with a singleton ace or king.

Rebids by Negative Responder after Suit Rebid

Partner
2 C
2 S		(opp)
Pass
Pass		You
2 D
?		(opp)
Pass

General guidelines

You must bid again, even with no points. You may raise partner’s suit with 3+ trumps, bid a 5+ card suit of your own, or bid notrump with a balanced hand.

Rebids by Negative Responder after Notrump Rebid

Partner
2 C
2 NT		(opp)
Pass
Pass		You
2 D
?		(opp)
Pass

General guidelines

Respond as you would to an opening bid of 2 NT or 3 NT (see previous tables) except all point ranges are lowered by 2 points to compensate for the fact that partner’s range is 2 points greater.

Guide 2Z45 MainTop Strong Opening Bids

© 2002 Richard Pavlicek