The first two bids by Responder and Opener set
the tone that both players will adopt in moving
towards the final contract. In uncontested auctions,
these bids will be categorized as FORCING and
NON-FORCING. FORCING bids can occasionally be
subdivided into GAME-FORCING and ONE ROUND FORCING.
NON-FORCING bids can be subdivided into INVITATIONAL
and SIGN-OFF (this latter designation including
pre-emptive bids).
If the opponents enter the auction, there is
a third type of NON-FORCING bid, the COMPETITIVE
one, which does not invite game but merely competes
for the part score. 1NT-2D-2S, for example, is
natural and competitive.
--- Opener's Rebids After 1-of-a-Suit Openings ---
With a flat hand (5-3-3-2, 4-4-3-2 or 4-3-3-3
types) Opener will rebid in 1NT (13-14) or 2NT (18-19).
In the former case, Responder's ONLY forcing rebid is
a jump in a new suit (e.g. 1D:1H:1NT:3C). In the case
of a 2NT rebid, EVERYTHING by Responder is forcing,
including a bid of a previously shown suit. For
example, after 1C:1S:2NT, 3C, 3D, 3H AND 3S are ALL
forcing. If Responder wants to play in a part score,
Responder must PASS the 2NT rebid.
With any NON-BALANCED hand Opener must endeavour
to NOT rebid in No Trump.
 x |
 AJxx |
 K10xx |
 AJxx |
After opening 1D and hearing 1S, do NOT rebid
1NT. Partner might go "crazy" with 6 Spades,
expecting at least 2-card support from you.
Rebid 2C and await developments.
------- Rebids after a 1NT Response -------
A 1NT reply warns Opener NOT to expect a fit
in any suit higher than Opener's. Hence, with any
hand less than 17 points, Opener will either PASS
1NT or rebid a suit that is no higher than the
opened suit. In this way, after 1H:1NT, minimal
Opener (13-16) can pass, rebid a 4+ card minor or
a 6+ card Heart suit. Only with 19-21 can Opener
jump in a new suit or reverse. Flat 18-19 point
Opener will, of course, raise 1NT to 2NT. The
only other invitational recourse for Opener is
a jump in the opened suit (e.g. 1C:1NT:3C).
----------- Questions -----------
1. Can't Opener jump in a new suit with an unbalanced
17-18 points? And, if not, does this mean that
Responder has to raise a non-jump suit rebid
(e.g. 1H:1NT:2C:3C) with 8-9 points, in case
Opener has 17-18 points?
2. What if Opener has 6 cards in the opened suit,
and 4 cards in a lower ranked suit? Should
Opener rebid the 6-carder or introduce the
lower ranked suit?
------- Rebids after a 1-of-a-Suit Reply -------
Any new suit by an unpassed Responder is forcing
for one round and unlimited, promising 6+ points. In
such auctions, SAYC and 2/1 GF are IDENTICAL. Bear in
mind, though, that a new suit rebid by OPENER is NOT
forcing. For the most part, Opener will strive to
introduce any suit that Opener can bid at the 1-level.
To show a 19-21 point hand, Opener may jump rebid in a
new suit (e.g. 1D:1H:2S or 3C). With less than 19
points, Opener will usually introduce a new suit without
such a jump (e.g. 1D:1H:1S or 2C).
When raising Responder's suit, Opener will do
so simply with 13-15, jump raise to the 3-level with
16-18, and--if a major--jump to GAME with 19-21.
How many trumps does Opener need to make such a
raise? Usually four. But with 3 AND A RUFFING VALUE
(a doubleton, singleton or void) Opener can raise a
major suit response.
Opener should NOT raise a 1D reply to 1C if Opener
has a 4-card major. Better to show the major FIRST,
in case Responder has 4-card support for it.
Opener will rebid a minor with a 6+ card suit OR
with 4 cards in an intermittent suit and 5 cards in
the rebid minor. 1D:1S:2D, then, shows EITHER 6+
Diamonds OR 4 Hearts and 5 Diamonds.
Responder can force the bidding with any new
suit rebid -- including a bid of the 4th suit.
FAILURE to bid a new suit LIMITS Responder's
hand. 1C:1H:1S:3S may SOUND forcing, but the
failure to bid 2D (a 4th Suit Force) means that
3S is a LIMIT raise of the 4-card spade suit.
------- Rebids after a 2-over-1 Reply -------
If Responder replies in 2-of-a-lower-ranked suit,
Opener will often rebid the opened suit to show a
minimum. 1D:2C:2D, then, does NOT show extra
Diamond length -- and may even be only FOUR diamonds
with exactly 4-4-4-1 distribution! With 16+ points
and a single-suited hand, Opener will JUMP rebid
the opened suit (e.g. 1S:2D:3S).
Only with 16+ points (enough to force game
opposite the anticipated 10+ points from Responder
for the 2-over-1 response) can Opener afford to
force game with a reverse, including a High Level
Reverse (i.e. a 3-over-2 rebid). 1H:2D:2S and 3C
BOTH show such strong hands.
Balanced Openers will rebid 2NT (13-14 after
1D:2C, 15-16 points after a 1H or 1S opening) or
3NT (17-19) points opposite the 2-over-1 reply.
The only exception to this is a major suit rebid
with a 5-3-3-2 type, 13-14 points. 1H:2C:2H and
1S:2C:2S permits RESPONDER to rebid 2NT with
10-12 HCPs, putting the pair in a better position
to judge the chances of 3NT than if Opener were
permitted to rebid 2NT with, say, 13-16 points.
In all other cases, FAILURE to make a rebid in
No Trump (e.g. 1D:2C:2D, 1H:2C:2D, etc.) marks
Opener with 2 or more Short Suit Points
(i.e. an UNBALANCED holding). So bear in mind:
Opener's rebid of hir major after a ONE level
response (i.e. 1H:1S:1NT, 1H:1NT:2H or 1S:1NT:2S)
shows a good 6+card suit; a rebid of hir major
after a TWO level responses does NOT.
--- Rebids Once a Minor Fit is Found ---
If the partnership finds a MINOR suit fit, new
suit bids BELOW the 3NT level are NO TRUMP GUARDS,
hoping partner can rebid 3NT with a stopper in an
unbid suit. 1C:3C:3D, then, invites Responder to
bid 3H or 3S with a stopper in the bid major, 3NT
with guards in BOTH majors.
ABOVE the 3NT level, non-trump suit rebids
are CUEBIDS, suggesting slam.
--- Rebids Once a Major Fit is Found ---
If one's major is raised to the TWO level, a
new suit is a "long suit game try", asking partner
to sign off in the agreed trump suit unless partner
has a full maximum and/or a "fitting honour" in the
bid suit. 1H:2H:3C, then, asks Responder to bid 3H
unless Responder has 9-10 points OR the Ace, King
or Queen of Clubs. Similarly, 1D:1H:2H:3C asks
Opener the same question.
Starting at the 3H level, any non-trump suit
rebid once a major suit has been established as
trump is a CUEBID, seeking slam. 1H:3H:3S, then,
is a control (Ace, King, singleton or void) in
Spades, looking for slam.
Remember: an immediate bid of 4H or 4S is NOT
a cuebid if that suit has been bid by the pair.
1H:1S:3S:4H is NOT a cuebid. Rather, it is to play!
-------------- Cuebidding Styles --------------
The North American style of cuebidding is to
endeavour to cuebid FIRST ROUND controls for the
most part. This is unfortunate, in that the pair
may have difficulty determining if they hold a
SECOND round control (King or singleton) in a suit.
| |
Jx |
AKQxx |
Ax |
AKxx |
| |
KQx |
Jxxx |
Kxxx |
Qx |
| |
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or controls. |
The superior EUROPEAN style of cuebidding shows
all controls INDESCRIMINATELY "up the line". FAILURE
to cuebid a suit DENIES a control of any sort in that
suit, alerting partner to the need for control there.
Only on the SECOND round of cuebidding, after trump
has been bypassed, are Aces distinguished from Kings.
The above hand would be bid:
| |
Jx |
AKQxx |
Ax |
AKxx |
| |
KQx |
Jxxx |
Kxxx |
Qx |
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's and 's (else 4). |
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------------- Questions ------------
1. Which style of cuebidding should I presume a new
partner on OKBridge is using?
2. When should I use cuebids and when should I use
Blackwood?
3. Are cuebids not also used as a general slam try?
Opposite one of my cuebids, can't partner refuse
to cuebid and return to the trump suit to show a
minimum?
------- Reverses by Opener ----------
A reverse is any rebid which bypasses one's first
bid suit in order to introduce a 2nd one. This shows
a GOOD hand, since it forces the bidding up one more
level in order for partner to show a preference for
the FIRST bid suit. 1C:1S:2H, then, shows a good
hand since, with a preference for Clubs, Responder
must bid THREE Clubs...even if Responder is weak.
A reverse by Opener opposite a ONE level reply
shows 18-21 points. It is a matter of controversy
as to whether such a reverse is forcing. I consider
them "99%" forcing, meaning that I will pass with
an utterly unpromising 6-point hand and no good fit
for either suit.
A reverse by Opener opposite a 2/1 response
shows 16-21 and is Game Forcing.
------------- Questions ------------
1. Why does a reverse opposite a 1-level reply
show a better hand than opposite a 2/1 reply?
------- Reverses by Responder ----------
A reverse by Responder (e.g. 1D:1H:2D:2S) shows
13+ points -- enough to force game. The reverse
OSTENSIBLY shows the bid suit (and greater length
in the 1st bid suit) but *may* simply be a
manufactured bid to start a game-forcing auction.
How does OPENER know the difference? Opener doesn't,
yet. Opener bids as if the reverse were natural,
raising as appropriate, and sees if Responder rebids
in No Trump or the 1st bid suit (both indications
that the reverse is bogus).
------------- Questions ------------
1. Why does Responder need less to reverse than
Opener?
2. After 1D:1H:2C is 2S a reverse or a 4th Suit
Force? Does it promise Spades?
------------- 4th Suit Force ----------
A bid of the 4th Suit by RESPONDER is forcing
for ONE round in SAYC. Unless Responder rebids the
4th Suit itself, the auction becomes game-forcing.
Many pairs play the 4th Suit bid as GAME-FORCING
in all cases, but this is NOT SAYC. 1C:1H:1S:2D,
then, is forcing for ONE round in SAYC, and Responder's
ONLY non-game-forcing rebid will be 3D.
-------------- Questions -------------
1. What can a weak (6-12 points) Responder do
with 5-5 or better in the majors after an
auction such as 1D:1S:2C, when a 2H bid will
be a 4th suit force?
2. What would a STRONG (13+ points) Responder do
with 5-5 or better in the majors after an
auction such as 1D:1S:2C ?
-------------- Quiz -----------------
1. After 1D:1S what should Opener rebid with:
| |
AQx |
KJxx |
K10xxx |
x |
| |
x |
KJxx |
K10xxx |
AQx |
| |
x |
AQxx |
AQJ10x |
AQx |
| |
Qx |
Ax |
AKJ10xx |
Axx |
| |
Jxx |
KQxx |
AKQx |
Kx |
2. After 1D:1S:2C what should Responder rebid with:
| |
KQxxx |
Qxx |
xx |
xxx |
| |
Axxx |
Jxx |
xx |
AJxx |
| |
AKxx |
Jxx |
Qx |
AJxx |
| |
AKxxxx |
Kxx |
xx |
xx |
| |
AJxx |
KQx |
Jxx |
xxx |
3. After 1S:2D what should Opener rebid with:
| |
65432 |
AQx |
Qx |
AJx |
| |
KJxxx |
Kxx |
x |
AQxx |
| |
AKxxxx |
Axx |
x |
AJ10x |
| |
Axxxxx |
AQx |
Jx |
AK |
| |
AKxxxx |
Ax |
QJxx |
A |
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The Rainbow Series, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 PST every weekday, is a lecture program on the SAYC system, from Opening Bids all the way through to the conventional aspects of SAYC. Unlike the FireSide and 5th Chair sessions mentioned above, the Rainbow Series is a semi-private lesson program for our students. Nevertheless, you are invited to stop by and "eavesdrop" on the discussion from the Spectator's Loft.  If you have any questions arising from these notes, or about the Rainbow Lesson Series, please do not hesitate to email me at: cpw@escape.ca |
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