Constructive Auctions After a Minor Suit (1C or 1D) Opening Bid --------------------------------------------------------------- Constructive auctions when opener starts with 1C or 1D are the most difficult because opener has a wider range of hand types than with other opening bids. Responder still has the same responsibilities -- determine whether or not to bid game, and determine what strain is best. Determining whether or not to bid game is the same as before -- I will repeat the table which summarizes when to bid game: Opener Responder Minimum Medium Maximum Minimum No No Yes Medium No Yes Yes Maximum Yes Yes Yes The strain is a bit more complicated. Responder's most important objective is to determine whether or not the partnership has a major suit fit. If you always keep this objective in mind, the appropriate bids are much easier to remember. Let's summarize what you know about opener's hand: 1) Opener does not have a 5-card major. In many cases, opener has a 4-card major. 2) Opener does not have a 1NT opener. 3) In a large majority of cases, opener has at least 4 cards in the minor suit. (The only time opener doesn't have at least a 4-card minor is with 4-4-3-2, 4-4-2-3, 4-3-3-3, and 3-4-3-3 distribution and not 15-17 points.) Finding a 4-4 major fit ----------------------- As mentioned above, responder's most important objective is to find the major suit fit. Therefore, if responder has a 4-card major, it should be bid. With both 4 hearts and 4 spades, responder should bid hearts. (When partner opens 1C, some players will bid 1D with 4+ diamonds and a 4-card major; however, the modern tendency is to bypass the diamond suit and bid 1H.) Once responder bids a 4-card major, opener must raise with 4-card support: - with a minimum hand, opener bids 2 of the major - with a medium hand, opener bids 3 of the major - with a maximum hand, opener bids 4 of the major If responder is fortunate enough to hear a raise, the strain is set, and it is easy for responder to figure out whether or not to bid game. Note that if responder bids 1H and opener has 4 spades and not 4 hearts, opener should bid 1S. Responding with a 5+ card major suit ------------------------------------ With 5+ spades, responder should always bid 1S (even with 4 hearts). With 5+ hearts and not 5 spades, responder should bid 1H. Since responder only guarantees 4 of the major, opener usually only raises with 4-card support. Opener can raise with 3 to an honor with appropriate distribution -- a void, singleton, or small doubleton, but responder should assume opener is showing 4-card support. Note that if opener makes a minimum non-raise rebid, and responder has a minimum hand, responder should pass. You will occasionally miss a 5-3 fit, but the rewards for staying at a lower level far outweigh the risk of getting too high. NT Responses ------------ With no 4+ card major, responder should usually make a NT response: - bid 1NT with a minimum hand (6-9 points) - bid 2NT with a medium hand (10-11 points) - bid 3NT with a maximum hand (12+ points) If opener opens 1C and you have 4+ diamonds and a minimum hand, you should bid 1D. With an unbalanced hand, 5+ cards in the other minor, and a medium or maximum hand, responder should bid the long minor. However, with a medium or maximum hand balanced hand (5-3-3-2), it is often better to make the appropriate NT response. Raising Opener's Suit --------------------- Rarely should you immediately raise opener's suit. This is usually done with 5-card support (since opener can have only 3), and no other alternatives (e.g., bidding a major suit or NT). - With a minimum hand, raise to 2 - With a medium hand, raise to 3 - With a maximum hand, you must find another forcing bid. Quiz ---- Your partner opens 1C. What do you bid with each of the following hands? 1) S xxxx H Kxx D x C Kxxxx 1S. Your first obligation is to how a 4 card major, even with only 4 small. 2) S KQxx H xxxx D xx C Qxx 1H. With both 4 hearts and 4 spades, you must bid hearts first. A 1S bid denies 4 hearts. 3) S Kxxxx H KQxx D xx C xx 1S. With 5 spades, you bid the spades first. However, if partner makes a minimum rebid (1N or 2C), you must pass, as you are not strong enough to make another bid. You will occasionally miss a 4-4 heart fit; unfortunately, this is a flaw with 5 card majors. 4) S xxxxx H KQxx D Kx C xx Either 1S or 1H is acceptable. Technically, as above, you should bid 1S. However, because your hearts are so good, and spades are so weak, you could treat your spade suit as a 4 card suit and bid 1H. The only downside is partner will never play you for 5 spades. 5) S xxxx H xx D KQxxx C Kx The modern tendency is to bypass diamonds and bid 1S. However, I think 1D is a better bid. If partner has 4 spades, he will bid them himself. 6) S Kxx H Qxx D xx C Kxxxx Either 1N or 2C is acceptable. I have a slight preference for 1N, because you have values in the major suits. 7) S xx H xxx D Qxx C KQxxx 2C is best. Most of your values are in clubs. 1N is possible, but not as good a bid. 8) S KQxx H x D Qxx C K10xxx 1S. Again, you must always show a 4 card major if you have it. Raising clubs immediately would deny a 4 card major. 9) S KQxx H xx D xxx C KQxx 1S. Same reasoning as the last hand. 10) S xxxx H xx D KQx C KQxx Still 1S. Bidding 1N or raising clubs would deny a 4 card major. 11) S Kxx H Kxx D xx C KQxxx Either 2N or 3C, showing a medium (invitational) hand is acceptable. I have a slight preference for 2N, since you are balanced with major suit high cards. 12) S Kxx H Kxx D x C KQxxxx Here, I think 3C is best, because of your singleton. However 2N is reasonable. 13) S xx H Kxx D KQxxx C Qxx Bid 1D. You could bid 2N (10-11), but keeping the bidding lower is usually better. 14) S KQxx H Kxxx D Kx C Qxx Bid 1H. Remember a new suit by responder is forcing. It is your obligation to make sure you get to game, since you have an opening hand, but since partner must bid again, the auction will not die after 1H. 15) S KQx H xx D Kxx C KQxxx Bid 3N, showing 12+ balanced.