This Week in Bridge
. (364) Responder’s Rebids After Opener’s Support Double
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 6 of 10 (2 of 6) robert@advinbridge.com
General
Most partnerships who play Support Doubles have had a conversation about when they apply and when they do not. But many players forget to discuss what Responder should do after the Opener makes a support double. When Opener makes a support double and the next opponent passes, then Responder is forced to describe their hand and bid something. It is good to have some detailed agreements about how Responder shows their strength and shape (specially, what bids is forcing and what is non-forcing) in the rest of the auction.
Responder’s Rebid Options
Let’s look at Responder’s options based on their hand strength.
Responder’s Rebids with Minimum Hands
Rebidding the “supported” suit (Responder’s suit) at the 2-level shows a minimum hand (6-9 points) and could still be only a 4-card suit.
Rebids below 2-of-Responder’s suit show minimum values (6-9 points) - natural, non-forcing.
If Responder supports Opener’s suit, that shows a better fit there than in the “supported suit.” – implying only a 4-3 fit.
If Responder bids a new suit this shows 5-cards in this suit and denies a real fit in the “supported suit” – only 4-3 fit.
Example 1
1♣ P 1♠ 2♦
X* P 2♠
This 2♠ rebid is non-forcing, shows minimum values (6-9 points), and could be made with only a 4-card suit if no other bid seems good.
Example 2
1♦ P 1♥ 1♠
X* P 2♣
This 2♣ rebid show a minimum hand and a long ♣ suit. Something like this:
♠ 74
♥ Q873
♦ J2
♣ KJT84
Responder’s Rebids with Invitational Hands
Rebids above 2-of-Responder’s suit show invitational values (10-11 points) - natural, non-forcing
If Responder supports Opener’s suit that shows a better fit, there than in the “supported suit.” – implying only a 4-3 fit.
If Responder bids a new suit this shows 5-cards in this suit and denies a real fit in the “supported suit” – only 4-3 fit.
Rebids of 2NT are natural, invitational (10-11 points), show a stopper in the opponent’s suit, and have only a 4-3 fit in the “supported suit.”
Responder can also jump to 3-“support suit) to show invitational values and confirm at least a 5-3 Major suit fit.
Example 3
1♦ P 1♠ 2♥
X* P 3♣
This 3♣ rebid is non-forcing, showing invitational values and only a 4-card ♠ suit.
♠ K974
♥ 7
♦ K2
♣ KJT842
Responder’s Rebids with Game-Forcing Hands
Rebid 4M with a known 5-3 fit in the Major (if no slam interest).
Rebid 3NT with no fit (only 4-3) and a stopper in the opponent’s suit.
Cuebid the opponent’s suit with a game-forcing hand that is not sure what to do (no stopper in the opponent’s suit.) This is similar to a Western Cuebid, asking for a stopper.
Cuebid the opponent’s suit with a hand interested in slam. A later bid of the “supported suit” implies a 5-3 and a slam try, because with only interest in game responder would have just bid it.
Pass with a game-forcing hand and length in the opponent’s suit. Some partnerships might agree that this can be done with an invitational or better hand.
Example 4
1♦ P 1♠ 2♥
X* P 3♦
This 3♦ rebid is non-forcing, showing invitational values and only a 4-card ♠ suit.
♠ K974
♥ 72
♦ KT42
♣ AJ2
Other Rebid Options for Responder
4NT should be Keycard in the “supported suit.”
Double Jump Shifts (into unbid suits) are splinters showing at least a 5-3 fit in the “supported suit.”
Pass – with a strong holding in the opponent’s suit and a good hand we can convert the support double to a penalty double.
Example 5
1♦ P 1♠ 2♣
X* P P
Convert the support double to penalty with a hand like this:
♠ A843
♥ T72
♦ K2
♣ KJT2
Responder’s Rebid after a Support Redouble
After a support redouble, Responder’s rebids are similar to after a support double. The major difference is that Responder will pass more frequently since we are redoubled in our “fit.” This pass can be used to show a game forcing hand and set up an opportunity to penalize the opponents. Some partnerships may allow this with invitational or better values and usually only a 4-3 fit – it often will be interested in penalizing the opponents if they run to another suit.
Conclusion
After the Opener makes a support double then as Responder you must make sure to describe both your shape and strength. These auctions can get very complicated, because new suits are non-forcing (as you were forced to bid by your partner’s support double). Make sure you and partner are on the same page about which bids are minimum, which are invitational, and which are forcing. Support doubles are a very useful gadget, but sure you get the rest of the auction right.