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Responders Rebid

Assuming the auction began with a suit opener and a new suit response (from you), one of four things next happened:

  1. Opener rebid notrumps.
  2. Opener supported your suit.
  3. Opener repeated his suit.
  4. Opener bid a third suit.

Considering (1), opener has shown his shape and strength. Say the auction began 1-1♠-1NT, showing 15-16 balanced. What would you (as responder) bid with:

 

Hand (a)   Hand (b)   Hand (c)   Hand (d)
♠ A 9 8 5
♥ K J 7
Q 8
♣ J 8 7 4
  ♠ K J 9 8 7 6
A 3 2
4
♣ Q 10 8
  ♠ Q 9 7 6
♥ J 7 5
7 6
♣ A J 3 2
  ♠ A Q 7 5
K 10 5
7 6 3
♣ 9 8 7

 

With the first two, you know the partnership have the 25 points for game; bid 3NT with the first and 4♠ with the second (partner has two+ spades for his balanced rebid, making a fit of eight cards). Pass with the third (no game and no desire for a trump suit) and make an invitational raise to 2NT with the last, asking opener whether he is maximum (16) or minimum (15).

 

South Deals
N-S Vul
A K 5 3 2
10 9 8
7 5 4
Q 9
J 8
A J 6 2
J 9 6 2
A 7 6
 
N
W   E
S
 
Q 10 6 4
Q 4 3
10 3
8 5 3 2
 
9 7
K 7 5
A K Q 8
K J 10 4

West North East South
      1 
Pass 1 ♠ Pass 1 NT1
Pass Pass2 Pass
  1. 15-16 Balanced
  2. Mistake. Worth a try for game.

What happened

Languishing in just 1 NT, declarer won  2 lead (to East’s  Q) with  K. He then cashed  AKQ and, no 3-3 split, led ♣ 4 to ♣ 6 and ♣ Q. ♣ 9 to his ♣ 10 was won by West’s ♣ A, and West cashed  J and  AJ6. Eight tricks and part-score made plus one.

 

What should have happened

 

West North East South
  1  Pass 1 ♠
Pass 1 N Pass 2 N1
Pass 3 N2 Pass Pass
Pass
  1. Correctly invites the notrump game.
  2. Accepts with a maximum.

Declarer should knock out ♣ A straight away (key play). West can win ♣ A and cash AJ6, but is powerless to prevent declarer scoring ♠ AK,  K (after the  2 lead),  AKQ, and three promoted clubs. Nine tricks and game made.

If you remember just one thing....
Work out how many points partner has shown. Try for game if there is a chance of 25 points.

 

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