Bidding Guide 2Z45 Main

Strong Opening Bids

by Richard Pavlicek

Opening bids of 2 , 2 NT and 3 NT

Responses to Two Notrump (21-22)

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

4+ points

bid 3 Stayman

F

With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor

4-9 points

bid 4 , 4 , 5 or 5

S

With a 5+ card major

4+ points

bid 3 or 3

F

With a 5+ card minor

10+ points

bid 3 or 3

F

With any other hand

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

Responses to Three Notrump (25-26)

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

7+ points

bid 4 Stayman

F

With a 6+ card major or 7+ card minor

2-6 points

bid 4 , 4 , 5 or 5

S

With a 5+ card suit

7+ points

bid 4 or 4

F

With any other hand

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

Bidding Guide 2Z45 Main

Top Strong Opening Bids

Responses to Two Clubs (23+)

Partner 2

(opp) Pass

You ?

With any hand

0-7 HCP

bid 2 (negative)

F

With a 5+ card suit

8+ HCP

bid 2 , 2 , 3 or 3

F

With a balanced hand

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 ?

(opp) Pass

Partner 2

(opp) Pass

With a balanced hand

With a 5+ card suit

23+ points

bid 2 , 2 , 3 or 3

F

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 2

(opp) Pass Pass

You 2 ?

(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 2 NT

(opp) Pass Pass

You 2 ?

(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.

Bidding Guide 2Z45 Main

Top Strong Opening Bids

© 2002 Richard Pavlicek