One-level Responses by David Bird

A: 1♥. Even though your spades are much stronger than your hearts, you should respond 1♥. If you mistakenly respond 1♠ instead, you may miss a 4-4 heart fit.

At a low level, the quality of the suit is less important than when you are considering a slam contract.

Your result so far:

A: 1♥. Your best suit is clubs. However, you are not strong enough for a two-level response. In some systems, you need to be strong enough to continue with a second bid (for example, 2NT over partner's 2♦ rebid). In the popular two-over-one system, favored in North America, a two-level response in a new suit is forcing-to-game.

Your result so far:

A: 1 NT. Again, you are not strong enough to respond at the two-level. You cannot pass with 7 HCP, so you have to bid 1NT. If partner rebids 2♣, you can bid 2♦ then, having already limited your strength with the 1NT response.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥. It is a clear mistake to respond 1♠ here, when you already know about at least a 5-3 fit in the heart suit. It's a mistake that you see players making time and time again, maybe throughout their playing lives.

For one thing, a good partner will sometimes raise 1♠ to 2♠ on just three-card support. More likely is that partner will rebid 2♣ and not realize (or expect) that you have 3-card support when you correct to 2♥.

Your result so far:

A: 1 NT. A (negative) double would show the four hearts, it's true, but if partner rebid 2♣, you would probably end in the wrong contract.

Since most of your values are in spades, it is clear to respond 1NT, describing your hand very well. To pass instead, intending to pass partner's re-opening double, would be a poor idea. Why play in a trump suit where you know that an opponent will hold at least five trumps?

Your result so far:

A: 1 NT. Some would respond 1♠, but East may well hold four spades, and a response of 1 NT gives the best description of your hand. 9 HCPs is not enough for a strength-showing redouble.

Your result so far: