-
Holding Openers Suit
Raises with support for their suit
You can show your partner that you have enough cards for a fit, and points in their suit by raising the bidding in their suit. Raising their bid by 1, 2 or 3 levels shows your partner your point count. This suit raise is called a limit bid. Limit bids are useful bids as with one bid it is possible to show both the strength and the shape of your hand. A new suit bid is not a limit bid.
Minimum Hand Limit bids
- Pass - shows 5 or less points
- Double - in this situation shows 8-9 points but unable to bid at the 1 level, tells partner you have some values
- 1NT shows 6-9 points and 2 cards in partner's suit
- Raising partner's opening bid by 1 level - shows 6-9 points
Medium Hand Limit bids
- 2NT shows 10-12 points and 2 cards in partner's suit
- Raising partner's opening bid by 2 levels - shows 10-12 points
Strong Hand Limit bids
- 3NT shows 13+ points and at least 2 cards in partner's suit (must have balanced hand)
- Jump shift bid - jumping 2 levels and changing the suit shows partner 13+ points and is a forcing bid, partner must keep the bidding going for at least 1 round
Preemptive bids
Bidding game directly (raising to 4 level) is a pre-emptive bid designed to shut out the opponents- 1H-4H promises 6-9 HCP with either 4 trump suit cards and a void
- 1S-4S equally it shows 5 trumps and a singleton
Remember that if you have 3-card support for the opener’s major suit, you should raise that suit to the appropriate level immediately.
Opener Bids | Responder Bid | |
---|---|---|
Major Suits | ||
1 ♥/ ♠ | 2 ♥/ ♠ | = 6-9 TP & 3+ cards (in opener's bid suit) |
3 ♥/ ♠ | = 10-12 TP & 3+ cards (in opener's bid suit) | |
4 ♥/ ♠ | = 5-9 TP & 4/5+ cards (in opener's bid suit & void or singleton) | |
Minor Suits | ||
1 ♦/ ♣ | 2♦/ ♣ | =6-9 TP & 4+ cards (in opener's bid suit) remember opener may only have a 3 card minor suit |
|
3♦/ ♣ | = 10-12 TP & 4+ cards (in opener's bid suit) remember opener may only have a 3 card minor suit |
Exercise: Partner opens 1♥ - what is your bid?
Your Hand
- ♠Q J 10
- ♥ K 9 7
- ♦ A 10 9
- ♣ J 10 9 6
Answer: Bid 3♥ showing your 3 card heart suit and 10-12 HCP with one bid.
LOGIN TO PLAY THIS PRACTICE HAND,
Not a member yet? Signup for a Free Trial, or play our free daily Bridge practice hands
Not a member yet? Signup for a Free Trial, or play our free daily Bridge practice hands