The Strong Raise (1♣ : 2♣ and 1♦ : 2♦)

The single raise (i.e., 1♣ : 2♣ and 1♦ : 2♦) is forcing for one round. The requirements are:

• 10+ points
• At least 4-card support
• No 4-card major

Responder will often be unbalanced, since he can make NT responses with balanced hands. There is no upper point count limit for a strong raise. Note: 1NT with 4-3-3-3 shape is more descriptive than an inverted raise.

The Weak Raise (1♣ : 3♣ or 1♦ : 3♦)

The requirements for a weak jump raise (i.e., 1♣ : 3♣ or 1♦ : 3♦) are:

• 0--6 points
• At least 5-card support
• No 4-card major

Opener's Rebids

Opener's Rebids After 1♣ : 2♣
Opener's Rebids After 1♦ : 2♦

In Competition

In competition, inverted minors are off for most partnerships:

• A single raise is weak with 4-card support.
• A jump raise is weak with 5+ card support.

If the opponents have doubled for takeout over 1♣ / 1♦, then responder can use the Jordan 2NT convention to show a limit raise or better. If the opponents have made a natural suit overcall over 1♣ / 1♦, then responder can cuebid to show a limit raise or better.

Other Considerations

Because inverted minors use 0--6 points for weak raises and 10+ points for strong ones, responder will sometimes be stuck for a bid with 7--9 points. These hands, which would traditionally make a single raise, can no longer do so. The typical approach is to respond 1NT even with unbalanced shape.

The Jacoby 2NT convention is a game-forcing response to a 1♥ or 1♠ opening bid. The 2NT response shows 4+ trump support with 13+ points, usually balanced.

Opener's Rebids

After the auction begins 1♥ / 1♠ : 2NT, opener's rebids are as follows.

The Priority of Opener's Rebids

Many of the above bids overlap. For example, opener might have 5-5-2-1 shape with 12 points. Generally speaking, the priority of responses are:

• Showing a 5-card side suit.
• Showing a singleton or void.
• Bidding 3NT with a balanced 14--15 points.
• Jumping to 4 of the agreed major with 12--14 points.
• Bidding 3 of the agreed major with 16+ points and no other suitable call.

Responder's Rebids

After any 3-level rebid by opener, responder can bid any suit (besides the agreed trump suit) to show a first-round control (i.e., an ace or void). After ANY rebid by opener, 4NT is Blackwood (or Roman Key Card Blackwood).

2NT by a Passed Hand

Jacoby 2NT is off when responder originally passed. In that situation, 2NT is natural and non-forcing, showing a balanced 10--11 HCP.

inv hand : bid 2♣ first

1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ : bid 2♥ , only show the ♥

1NT - 2♣ - 2♠ : bid 3♠ , to invite

1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ : bid 4♥

GF+ hand : bid 2♣ first

1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ : bid 3♠ , to show ♥ 5♠ 4, GF

1NT - 2♣ - 2♥/♠ : bid game or show slam interest

: GF+ hand bid 2♣ first

: 1NT - 2♣ ; 2♦ - 4♣ to show ♥ 6 ♠ 4

: 1NT - 2♣ ; 2♦ - 4♦ to show ♠ 6 ♥ 4

Responses to a Reverse

A reverse bid is forcing for one round. Here we show the weak responses, the other responses are all natural and promises 8+ HCP.

With a Weak Hand (5--7 HCP)

With a weak hand, responder chooses from the following non-forcing bids, opener pass or rebid his first suit to show minimum. Opener bid the 4th suit to show he is maximum with only his first bid suit, unbalanced (e.g. 6-3-3-1)

• Bidding 2NT: Bid 2NT with a weak balanced hand and a stopper in the 4th suit.
• Rebidding his suit at 2-level: Shows 5+ card suit.

After an auction begins 1♥ : 2♥ or 1♣ : 1♠ ; 2♠, a new suit at the cheapest level is to say, "Partner, I'm interested in game, but I need help in this suit. Please bid game if you have an appropriate holding." A help suit typically shows a 3- to 4-card suit with exactly one of the top three honors. This equals 2 to 2.5 losers.

Trump Game Try

Bid trump at the 3-level is to ask partner to bid game with at least one trump honor.

Introduction

The 5NT Pick a Slam convention can be used when you want to play in a small slam, but need partner to help choose the best strain. Any 5NT bid asks partner to "Pick A Small Slam." Partner is expected to use his best judgment based on the bidding up to that point. He can bid any suit naturally, or simply bid 6NT if he is certain about no-trumps.

The 5NT Bidder's Rebids

After hearing partner's response, the 5NT bidder can simply pass, bid another suit naturally, or bid 6NT.

Asking for the Trump Queen

If responder bids 5♣ or 5♦, the 4NT bidder still will not know if the partnership holds the queen of trumps. To ask for the trump queen, the 4NT bidder makes the cheapest available bid that is not the agreed trump suit. Responder's rebids to the queen ask are as follows:

Void-Showing Responses

Asking for Outside Kings

If the partnership has all five key cards and the trump queen, the 4NT bidder can bid 5NT to ask for outside kings to investigate a grand slam. A 5NT bid guarantees that the partnership possesses all five key cards and the trump queen. Responder typically answers by bidding their cheapest specific king at the 6-level. For example, bidding 6♦ would show the diamond king. Bidding 6 of the agreed trump suit denies any outside kings.

When the opponents compete below the 5-level of our agreed trump suit, we play DOPI(ROPI): When the opponents compete above the 5-level of our agreed trump suit, we play DEPO:

After a trump suit is agreed, jumping to another suit at the 4- or 5-level says: " Please show me how many key cards you hold excluding this ace."

Responder's Bids

Asking for the Trump Queen

After hearing partner's reply, it is possible to ask for the trump queen by making the cheapest bid outside of the trump suit.

In Competition

In the auction 1♥ -- (Pass) -- 2♥ -- (3♠) ; 4♠, 4♠ is simply a cuebid showing a 1st-round control, not ERKCB. If the opponents double or overcall the Exclusion Blackwood bid itself, response treatments like DEPO, DOPI, and ROPI must be used.

(1m) - 2♦ = both majors
(1m) - 2NT = both minors
**and (1m) - 3♣ = Natural

(1M) - 2M = other major + ♣
(1M) - 2NT = both minors
(1M) - 3♣ = other major + ♦

• {Dbl is penalty oriented when no major is unbid, and Dbl is negative otherwise}
• Cue bid the opp's lower suit = 4th suit 5+, GF
• Cue bid the opp's higher suit = limit raise or better in partner's suit
• Bid partner's suit at 3-level = constructive raise
• Bid 4th suit = 6+ cards, not fit in partner's suit, inv
• Jump cue bid the opp's suit = splinters
• Cue bid the opp's suit at 5 level = ERKCB

Responses based on Strength

Weak hands (0-6 HCP)

If your suit is higher in rank than the preempter's suit (i.e., LHO opens 2♥ and you have spades), you make your "normal" minimum bid at the 2-level. But if you would have to go to the 3-level to make a minimum bid in your suit, you start with 2NT to relay partner to 3C. You can now pass if clubs is your suit, or bid another suit.

Medium-strength hands (7-10 HCP)

If you bid a suit at the 3-level (instead of using the 2NT sequence), it is encouraging, but not forcing. It shows a hand with constructive values (a good 7 to about 10 HCP), but not enough to jump to game. Doubler can pass with a minimum or bid on with extra values. You can also use the Lebensohl 2NT to invite when your suit is higher in rank than the preempter's suit. If LHO opens 2♥ and you have spades, you can sign off in 2♠ if you're weak. If you instead use the Lebensohl 2NT sequence, it shows invitational values (8-10 pts.).

GF hands (11+ pts.)

The Lebensohl 2NT sequences above all show limited values. If you have GF strength, make jump responses.

Other uses of Lebensohl

If you want to adopt some more advanced uses of the convention, you can add special sequences to distinguish between different types of forcing and invitational hands.

Invitational auctions

• Jump below game (2♥-Dbl-Pass-3♠): One-suited invitation, promising 5+ cards in your suit.
• To show an invitational hand with only a 4-card suit, you can go through the Lebensohl 2NT sequence (2♥-Dbl-Pass-2NT; Pass-3♣-Pass-3♠).

Game auctions

• Immediate 3NT (2♥-Dbl-Pass-3NT): Good stoppers in the opponent's suit. Usually denies 4 cards in the other major.
• Immediate cuebid (2♥-Dbl-Pass-3♥): Asks doubler to bid 3NT with stoppers.
• Immediate jump cuebid (2♥-Dbl-Pass-4♥): Both minors (if the weak-2 was a major). If the opponent opened 2♦, a jump to 4♦ shows both majors. The jump cuebid shows game values, but is not a slam try.
• Lebensohl, then a cuebid (3♥): 4 cards in ♠, but NO stopper in the opponent's suit.
• Lebensohl, then 3NT: 4 cards in ♠ WITH a stopper(not very good).

Both these auctions show forcing-to-game strength and give partner the choice of playing your suit or notrump.

One-suited slam try

• Cuebid, then 4 of a suit: One long suit, slam-invitational values. This is used for a hand that's too strong for a simple jump to game. Your cuebid originally asks doubler to bid 3NT with a stopper, but if you then follow with a new suit at the 4-level (4♣/♦/♠), it shows slam-try values with one long suit.

Two-suited slam tries

Lebensohl can also be used to show a two-suited hand with slam-try (or better) values. To do this, you start with 2NT, then bid a new suit at the 4-level:

• Lebensohl, then 4♣ or 4♦: Two-suited slam-try with that suit and the other major. (If the opponent opened a weak 2♦, Lebensohl followed by 4♥ or 4♠ shows that suit and the other minor.)
• Lebensohl, then cuebid at 4-level (4♥): Two-suited slam-try with both minors. (If the opponent opened a weak 2♦, Lebensohl-then-4♦ is a slam-try with both majors.)
• Lebensohl, then 4♠ (after a 2♥ opening): You can develop your own special meaning for this if you like. Since you can use the cuebid-then-4♠ to show a slam-try, the Lebensohl-then-4♠ sequence could be a slam-forcing hand that asks partner to cuebid.

Dbl : 4-card major + 5-card minor

2♣ : prefer minor, partner pass or correct

2♦ : prefer major, partner bid his major

2♥ : natural

2♠ : natural

2♣ : majors 5-4+

2♦ : choose your better major

2♥/♠ : to play

2♦ : 6+ card major

2♥ : pass or correct

2♠ : prefer ♥, pass or correct

This defense applies when partner opens at 1-level and the opponent overcalls 1NT.

Over a Minor Suit Opening

Over a Major Suit Opening

When Opponents Overcall or Dbl the 2♣ Drury

If the auction begins Pass -- Pass -- 1♠ -- Pass, and responder's 2♣ Drury bid is intervened by a Dbl or a suit overcall, opener responds as follows: Convention: After a Pass and an opening in the 3rd or 4th seat, if there is an opponent's interference by a suit bid or a double, 1NT can be used as the Drury ask instead of 2♣.

Interference Over a 1NT Opening

• Over 3-level jumps: {Dbl acts as Stayman, and other 3X is natural, GF}
  
• Over a conventional Dbl: If the opponent makes a conventional Dbl, a 2♣ bid is Stayman. Other bids ignore the double.
• Over a penalty Dbl: A 2♣ bid is Stayman with two majors (or natural by agreement). A Rdbl acts as a transfer and forces a pass.
• Over a two-suited Dbl: A Rdbl is penalty in one or more of the opponent's suits. Other bids ignore the double.

Lebensohl

Used after an opponent's 2-level overcall of our 1NT opening. It uses an artificial 2NT relay bid, forcing opener to bid 3♣. Responder can then pass (if they have clubs) or bid their real suit.

• {Dbls are technical, and can be weak}.
• A direct new suit at the 2-level is weak, to play.
• A direct new suit at the 3-level is natural and game-forcing.
• 2NT (Lebensohl) followed by a new suit at the 3-level is inv.
• A direct cuebid of the opponent's suit is Stayman, promising a stopper.
• 2NT (Lebensohl) followed by a cuebid is Stayman, denying a stopper.

Against a 2♣ Landy Overcall

When the opponents overcall 1NT with 2♣ Landy:

Against a 2♦ Overcall (Unicolor Major)

When the opponents overcall 1NT with 2♦:

Interference Over Stayman

pass : no 4-card major

2♦/ : 0-7 HCP, 4+ cards (the 4-4-4-1 or 4-4-5-0 shape)

2♥/♠ : 7-8 HCP, 5+ cards with a singleton

2NT/3NT : good ♣ stoppers, to play

3♥ : ♥ 5 ♠ 4, GF

3♠ : ♠ 5 ♥ 4. GF

Rdbl : 8+ HCP, no 5-card major

pass : punishment

2♦ : minimum, ♦ 4+

2♥/♠ : minimum, ♥/♠ 3, normally no ♣ stoppers

2NT : minimum, ♣ stoppers

3♣ : maximum, ♥ - ♠ 3-3

3♦ : maximum, ♦ 5+

3♥ : maximum, ♠ 3

3♠ : maximum, ♥ 3

3NT : maximum, ♣ stoppers

2♦ : ♥ 4

2♥ : 0-7 HCP, to play

2♠ : 7-8 HCP, ♠ 5, unbal

2NT : 8-9 HCP, good stoppers in ♣ , no fit in ♥(=♠ 4)

3♣ : no fit in ♥ (=♠ 4), no stoppers in ♣

3♦ : ♦ 5+

3♥ : 8-9 HCP, inv

3♠ : ♥ fitness, slam interest

3NT : to play

2♥ : ♠ 4

2♠ : 0-7 HCP, to play

2NT : 8-9 HCP, good stoppers in ♣ , no fit in ♠(=♥ 4)

3♣ : no fit in ♠ (=♥ 4), no stoppers in ♣

3♦ : ♦ 5+

3♥ : ♠ fitness, slam interest

3♠ : 8-9 HCP, inv

3NT : to play

Interference Over Transfers (Texas)

If the opponents Dbl a 2♦ or 2♥ transfer bid:

Responses to a Penalty Dbl

If your side's 1NT opening or 1NT overcall is doubled for penalty, the responses are as follows:

• After the redouble relay to 2♣, responder passes with 5 ♣, bids 2♦ with 4 ♦ and a 4-card major, and bids 2♥ if he has 4 ♥ and 4 ♠.
• If responder passes over the double, the 1NT bidder can: (1) bid his 5-card suit (2) redouble for SOS (3) pass to stand the double with a good 5-card suit.

When the Opponents Make a Takeout Dbl

If partner opens a weak two (e.g., 2♥) and the next player makes a takeout double, responder's actions are:

When the Opponents Overcall in a Suit

If partner opens a weak two (e.g., 2♥) and the next player overcalls in a suit (e.g., 2♠), responder

Requirements and Usage

• Strength: 5--10 points.
• Shape: At least 5-4 in the two unbid suits.
• Generally, it guarantees 5 cards in the lower suit, and 4-card in the higher suit

Responses to Sandwich 1NT

If the next player passes, partner is expected to choose between the two indicated unbid suits.

2♥/♠ : Natural 5+, non-forcing, 12+ HCP

maximum 2 card in the other major

After the (2♦) - Dbl - (pass);

If the pass is to play 2♦;

2♥/♠ : weak, 4+ cards

If the pass is forcing the 2♦ opener to bid his major;

2♥/♠ : strong

Dbl : 12+ HCP, ♠ 4 and ♦ 4+, or other strong Dbls

partner can use 1♥ for relay

Dbl : 12+ HCP, ♥ 4 and ♦ 4+, or other strong Dbls

partner can use 1♠ for relay