M J Bridge
♦
♠
♥
♣
Responders rebid
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Bidding
Partner responded two of a major
The standard continuations at an improver’s level were considered in an earlier section.
Post-
This page last updated 14th Jan 2020
Context -
Garbage Stayman
With a garbage Stayman hand you will pass now that you have located a playable fit.
The sequence 1NT -
Provided that you have agreed the 4-
Your choice of meaning must be consistent with your agreed underlying method, but typically it might be used (along with 1NT -
Usually it will be played alongside the sequence 1NT -
In some underlying methods these sequences might be used to show an invitational hand with five cards in the specified major along with four cards in any other suit.
Rebids in no trumps
A rebid in no trumps will always be a natural limit raise, with the same value ranges as in direct limit raises.
The only differences are that partner knows that you hold at least one four-
Note that it is not a good idea to play an immediate jump to 4NT as a key-
Intermediate and above
Supporting partner’s major
The solution is to incorporate some other forcing bid agreeing partner’s suit, to cope with the first hand above.
Two possible solutions follow -
Stayman in Doubt
Stayman-
When you first use Stayman you might well choose to make a direct raise in no trumps when holding a 4-
The solution is to start with a normal Stayman bid and then use a conventional bid to show the fit in a completely flat hand.
At its simplest a bid of 3♦ by responder following a Stayman enquiry and a major suit response states that a 4-
♠
♥
♦
♣
K 3
A Q 4 3
A K 9 6
A 6 5
You can see a heart fit and you would like to investigate a slam in hearts.
Tempting is to bid 4NT asking for key-
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
You |
|
1NT |
- |
2♣ |
- |
2♥ |
- |
? |
|
|
|
|
♠
♥
♦
♣
K 3
A Q 4 3
A K 9 6
A 6 5
No 4-
By far the best bid is a quantitative raise to 4NT, inviting partner to pass or bid 6NT.
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
You |
|
1NT |
- |
2♣ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
? |
|
|
|
|
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 8 6
K Q 3
T 6 2
K 8 5
Bid 3♦.
Show your spade agreement in a flat hand and leave the choice to partner.
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
You |
|
1NT |
- |
2♣ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
? |
|
|
|
|
This convention as outlined above is something of an optional extra and it can wait its turn for a place in your system.
The following extension of the convention is to be found in Eric Crowhurst’s writings.
Following partner’s Stayman response in a major suit, a bid of 3♦ shows a major-
However, if you later deny this holding by bidding anything other than 3NT or game in the agreed major then this route can be used to agree the suit and show a slam interest.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A Q 8 6
K Q 8 3
A 2
K 8 5
Bid 3♦ (Stayman in doubt).
Partner will assume that you have a 4-
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
You |
|
1NT |
- |
2♣ |
- |
2♠ |
- |
? |
|
|
|
|
The other major at the three-
The slight problem with Stayman in Doubt is that you will frequently have to make a genuine slam-
How much better if you could agree partner’s suit and show at least some slam interest below game-
An excellent answer is quite simply to bid the other major at the three-
Strongly recommended, provided that it fits in with the rest of your system.
The sequences 1NT -
Simplest is to play this as game-
Quite simply you started by searching for a major suit fit before getting on with the job of describing your hand as you search for the best game.
There are other possibilities for the 3♣ rebid such as minor-
Note that the use of this sequence to make a weak take-
Note also that this usage is not compatible with Stayman in doubt (above).
A rare alternative is to use this bid as a shape enquiry in search of a minor suit slam. (SARS)
Raising partner’s major
A raise of partner’s major to the three-
A raise to the four-
Four of a minor
Whatever you like.
Simplest is a splinter agreeing partner’s major, and presumably implying at least a modicum of slam interest.
♠
♥
♦
♣
K 3
A Q 4 3
A K 9 6
A 6 5
Bid 3♠.
Agree hearts and force to game with at least some slam interest.
If partner can do no better than return to hearts at the three-
LHO |
Pard |
RHO |
You |
|
1NT |
- |
2♣ |
- |
2♥ |
- |
? |
|
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Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
Advancer |
Opener's rebid |
Overcaller's rebid and beyond |
Responder's rebid and beyond |
The continuing auction |