Responding to Opener's Suit Rebids

You can open the bidding with 11-21 points at the 1-level. So, 11 points is opener's minimum, 21 points is the maximum points. The purpose of opener's rebid is to show their partner whether they have a minimum, medium or maximum strength hand

Responding to Openers suit rebids

By the end of their first two bids opener has usually shown the strength and distribution of their hand. Responder must then look at their own hand and calculate the total point count, then decide should this hand be played in part-game or are there enough points to bid game because of the bonus points available. The decision depends on the strength, suit distribution and points total of the openers and responders hands combined.

Point Counts for Game

In NoTrump

If the combined hands have 25 HCP and no 'major suit fit' then the responder needs to bid game in NoTrumps;

In a Major Suit

If the combined hands have 26 TP and a 'fit' in either ♠ or ♥ then the responder needs to bid game in a major suit

In a Minor Suit

If the combined hands have 27 TP and a 'fit' in either ♣ or ♦ and side suits with no stoppers the responder needs to bid game in a minor suit

1. If the combined hands have less than game points and distribution then the contract should stay at the lowest possible level in a part-game contract.
2. The second decision is whether the contract should be in a suit OR in NoTrump. This decision is made by looking at your hand, reviewing the bidding and deciding whether to either

Support one of partner's suits
Rebid your own suit
Show another suit of your own
Bid NoTrump

Responder Can Bid	Total Point Count	Card Holding
Prefer one of partner's suits called, showing preference	0-9 TP	Responder bid the suit that opener has bid in which they hold the most number of cards. With equal numbers of cards in both suits responder returns opener to their first bid suit. This is called 'showing preference'. The contract should stay at the lowest possible level and opener may pass.
Rebid their own first bid suit	10+ TP	With a good 5 card or a six card suit
Bid a second suit	12+ TP	must have a second 4 card suit and two or less cards in in partners suits
Bid NoTrumps	11+ HCP	with no major suit 'fit' and stoppers in the unbid suits

Your partner opens 1♠

you bid 1NT and then opener rebids 2♥, with this hand what is your bid?.

♠A 5 4
♥10 8
♦J 10 9 7 2
♣J 9 6

Answer: Return opener to the first suit ♠because you have longer spades. Opener has 5 spades & 4 hearts. With 4 of both suits opener would bid hearts first and then their spades. You must have 10+ points to bid your diamonds at the level of 2

Practice This Lesson

Show Preference for the First Suit.

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Extra for Experts

A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.

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