This Week in Bridge
(375) Responder’s Rebids After 1NT Semi-Forcing
©AiB Robert S. Todd
Level: 4 of 10 (1 of 6) robert@advinbridge.com
General
After we begin with a 1NT Semi-Forcing (or even 1NT Forcing) response to our partner’s 1-Major opening, then we need to use our rebid to further describe our hand. We could have a hand of almost any shape (other than the few options that we already denied by using 1NT SF) and could have either minimum values (6-9 points) or invitational values (10-11 points). Since both our shape and strength are so variable, we need to make good use of our second bid to describe our hand to partner. Let’s see how we make use of our rebid options.
1♠ Opening Auctions
Generally speaking, with a minimum hand we will “do something cheap” with our rebid. With an invitational hand we will raise partner, jump in a new suit, or bid 2NT. Let’s look at these auctions in detail.
Example 1
1♠ 1NT
2♣ __?
2♦ 5+card ♦ (often 6-card), usually 0-1♠, 6-9 pts
2♥ 5+card ♥ (often 6-card), usually 0-1♠, 6-9 pts
2♠ 2+card ♠, 6-9 pts (most frequent minimum hand)
2NT Natural, 10-11 pts, general invite
3♣ 4+card ♣, 9-11 pts, invitational raise
3♦ Natural and invitational, 6+card ♦, 9-11 pts (usually 2c♠)
3♥ Natural and invitational, 6+card ♥, 9-11 pts (usually 2c♠)
3♠ 3-card limit raise, 3-card ♠, 10-11 pts
Example 2
1♠ 1NT
2♦ __?
2♥ 5+card ♥ (often 6c♥), usually 0-1♠, 6-9 pts
2♠ 2+card ♠, 6-9 pts (most frequent minimum hand)
2NT Natural, 10-11 pts, general invite
3♣ 6+card ♣, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♦ 4+card ♦, 9-11 pts, invitational raise
3♥ Natural and invitational, 6+c♥, 9-11 pts (usually 2-card ♠)
3♠ 3-card limit raise, 3c♠, 10-11 pts
Example 3
1♠ 1NT
2♥ __?
2♠ 2+card ♠, 6-9 pts (most frequent minimum hand)
2NT Natural, 10-11 pts, general invite
3♣ 6+card ♣, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♦ 6+card ♦, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♥ 4+card ♥, 9-11 pts, invitational raise
3♠ 3-card limit raise, 3-card ♠, 10-11 pts
Example 4
1♠ 1NT
2♠ __?
2NT Invitational, usually 0-1♠, 10-12 pts, general invite
3♣ 6+card ♣, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♦ 6+card ♦, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♥ 6+card ♥, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♠)
3♠ 2-3 card ♠, 10-11 pts
1♥ Opening Auctions
Example 5
1♥ 1NT
2♣ __?
2♦ 5+card ♦ (often 6c♦), usually 0-1♥, 6-9 pts
2♥ 2+card ♥, 6-9 pts (most frequent minimum hand)
2♠* “Impossible Spade”, usually 5+card ♣, 10-11 points, Best Raise
2NT Natural, 10-11 pts, general invite
3♣ 4+c♣, 9-10 pts, courtesy raise
3♦ natural and invitational, 6+c♦, 9-11 pts (usually 2-card ♥)
3♥ 3-card limit raise, 3c♥, 10-11 pts
Example 6
1♥ 1NT
2♦ __?
2♥ 2+card ♥, 6-9 pts (most frequent minimum hand)
2♠* “Impossible Spade”, usually 5+card ♦, 10-11 points, Best Raise
2NT Natural, 10-11 pts, general invite
3♣ 6+card ♣, 6-9 points, generally to play (usually 0-1♥)
3♦ 4+card ♦, 9-10 pts, courtesy raise
3♥ 3-card limit raise, 3c♥, 10-11 pts
Example 7
1♥ 1NT
2♥ __?
2♠* “Impossible Spade”, 3-card ♥, limit raise
2NT Invitational, usually 0-1♥, 10-12 pts, general invite
3♣ 6+c♣, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♥)
3♦ 6+c♦, 5-9 pts, generally to play (usually 0-1♥)
3♥ 2+card ♥, 10-11 pts
When Opener makes a stronger rebid, like 2NT, a jump rebid, a reverse, or a jump shift, then Responder usually either passes or goes to game. This makes the rebids easier and Responder has less problem describing their hand.
1NT Semi-Forcing Hands with Support for Opener’s Major
When we have good 7 to bad 10 points and 3-4 card support for partner’s opening suit we raise directly - 1M to 2M. When we have 3-card support and more values (10-11 pts) or fewer values (5-7 pts) we make a “delayed raise”.
Example 8
1♠ 1NT
2♣ 2♠ 6-9 pts with 2-card support (or 5-7 pts with 3-card support.)
This could be a hand that has support but not enough strength to make a “constructive raise.”
Example 9
1♠ 1NT
2♣ 3♠ 10-11 pts with 3-card support (3-card limit raise)
Conclusion
After you make a 1NT Semi-Forcing response, if partner does not pass and leave you to play there, then you need to describe your hand with your rebid. You want to show both your shape and your strength to partner. New suits after limiting your hand with a 1NT response are non-forcing. So, make sure that you do not just bid your long suit next. Make sure that you communicate both your shape and your strength. Try to keep with auction low when you have a minimum hand and move the auction towards game with invitational values. Discuss these auctions in detail with partner and make sure you get them right!