Responding to an opener by Matthias Huberschwiller

Have you ever wondered what the priority is when you're responding to partner's opening bid?

You need to describe your shape, with the priority being to find a major-suit fit. When bidding a new suit, you don't show your strength - your bid is unlimited in points and is forcing, so partner can't pass.

Will you get all these bids right?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A 6 2
♥ K 7 6 2
♦ 8 3 2
♣ Q 6 3

Q: 1 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
?

A: 1♥ - You need five cards to open a major suit, but you need only four to respond, in order to be able to find a 4-4 fit if North has four Hearts.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A K J 8
♥ 8 6 3 2
♦ 7 2
♣ J 6 3

Q: 2 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
?

A: 1♥ - With 4-4 in the majors, you need to start with the cheapest one, Hearts, even though the Spades are better. Remember: length over strength.

If you bid 1♠, you won't get to find a Heart fit. If you bid 1♥, your partner can bid 1♠ if he has four Spades and no Heart fit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 7 6 5 4 2
♥ K Q J 9
♦ 8
♣ A 9 2

Q: 3 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
?

A: 1♠ - When you have both majors and one is longer, start with the longer one, Spades here.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 6 3 2
♥ K 7 6 5 4
♦ A 6
♣ 8

Q: 4 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
?

A: 1♠ - With 5-5 in the majors, start with Spades. You will be able to bid Hearts on the second round to show a two-suited hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A K Q 9 6
♥ 8 3
♦ A 6 2
♣ K Q J

Q: 5 - What do you bid as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠ - There is no need to rush. 1♠ is enough, since it is forcing - your partner won't pass. You'll have plenty of time to show him your strength on the proceeding rounds of bidding.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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