You know how to count your points and how to open; now we are going to learn how to respond to your partner’s opening bid.
Responding to 1NT or 2NT: easy
Above all, do not memorize anything. Just know the thresholds for earning bonuses (25, 33, and 37 HCP—that is manageable) and understand how it works. Here are two examples.
You hold this hand as North, opposite a 1NT opening bid:
| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | Pass | ? |
Here is what you should be thinking:
- 1NT promises 15 to 17 HCP.
- I have 13 HCP, so together we have between 28 and 30 HCP.
- I have enough to play 3NT (at least 25 HCP are needed), but not enough to play 6NT (at least 33 HCP would be needed).
- So I bid 3NT.
Partner opens 1NT. With 4 HCP and a balanced hand, which response do you choose?
Section quizAnother example: this time you hold this hand opposite 2NT:
| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2NT | Pass | ? |
Here is what you should be thinking this time:
- 2NT promises 20 or 21 HCP.
- I have 12 HCP, so together we have 32 or 33 HCP.
- That is enough for game (25 HCP) and perhaps even a slam (33 HCP).
- I will bid 4NT: there is no point in doing so without slam interest, since there is no special bonus for making 4NT. Partner will therefore understand that I am interested in a slam but am not certain. With less, I would have bid 3NT; with more, I would have bid 6NT.
Partner will pass with a minimum (20 HCP) and bid 6NT with a maximum (21 HCP).
You opened 2NT with 20 HCP. Partner responds 4NT, a quantitative invitation. What do you do according to the course guidelines?
Section quiz| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2NT | Pass | 4NT | Pass |
You opened 1NT with 17 HCP. Partner invites game with 2NT. What do you respond within the course framework?
Section quiz| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | Pass | 2NT | Pass |
Responding to 1♥ or 1♠: do it like the pros
Imagine that you hold this hand as North, opposite an opening bid of 1♥:
| South | West | North | East |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♥ | Pass | ? |
Your partner has at least 5 Hearts and at least 12 HCP: that is what 1♥ means in our bidding system. Great, you have a fit with partner and will be able to play with Hearts as trump. You need to tell partner!
But should you bid 2♥? 3♥? 4♥?
It depends on your points, so partner can tell whether 27 total points (or 33, or 37) are within reach for game or slam.
With the example hand, you have 8 HCP + 1 distribution point (for the Spade doubleton) = 9 total points. The correct response is therefore 2♥.
Partner opens 1♠. You have three Spades and 12 total points. Which direct raise describes your hand?
Section quizLearn more: like the pros
Good players go more slowly when they have a strong hand, leaving room to exchange information. They do it in two stages:
After 1♥ (the same after 1♠), with at least 3 Hearts:
- they bid a new suit first, then bid 4♥ next with 13 to 15 total points
- they bid a new suit first, then bid 3♥ next with 16 or more total points
Now it is your turn to play!