Constructive Auctions After a Major Suit (1H or 1S) Opening Bid - Part 1 of 2
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The next 2 lessons will discuss constructive auctions when the opener has started with 1H or
1S. In this lesson, Part 1, we will discuss responder's options with support for the opener's
suit (3 or more cards in the suit). The next lesson, Part 2, will discuss the more complex
auctions that result when responder does not have support.

With support for opener's major, responder has a very simple objective -- just deciding whether or
not the final contracct should be game (4H or 4S). If you have 3 or more cards in opener's major suit,
that is the suit you should play in, and it is up to you to keep the auction simple and
ensure that the final contract is in that suit.

Recall that opener's hand falls in one of 3 categories:

  - minimum (12-14 points)
  - medium (15-17 points)
  - maximum (18+ points)

Similarly, responder's hand falls in one of 3 categories:

  - minimum (6-8 points)
  - medium (9-11 points)
  - maximum (12+ points)

Below is the table that I presented which summarizes when to bid game:

                                  Opener
Responder           Minimum   Medium  Maximum

Minimum               No             No          Yes
Medium                 No            Yes         Yes
Maximum              Yes           Yes         Yes

There is one other wrinkle with major suits. With 10 or more trumps, the partnership should
always bid game. Game often makes with a 10 card fit, even with fewer than 25 points.
Even if game does not make, it is usually a good sacrifice against whatever the opponents
can make.

Responses with 5+ card support
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If you have 5 or more cards in opener's suit, you are guaranteed to have at least a 10 card
fit (since opener guarantess a 5 card major).

Most of the time, you should simply bid 4 of the major (even with 0 points!). This gets you
where you want to go quickly, and makes it very difficult for the opponents to bid.

The only exception to this rule is that you may want to proceed more methodically if, as
responder, you have a maximum hand (12+ points) with 5 card support. In that case, slam is
possible, so you might want to proceed more methodically. We will be covering slam bidding
in a future lesson.

To summarize, a jump to 4 of the major shows 5 card support and 0 - 11 points.

Responses with 4 card support
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For illustration purposes, sssume partner has opened 1S and you, as responder, have exactly
4 spades. The possible auctions are very simple:

With a minimum hand, bid 2S. Opener should bid 4S with a maximum hand.

With a medium hand, bid 3S. This is known as a "limit raise." Originally, a jump to 3 guaranteed
an opening hand, but modern bidding methods use limit raises. Opener should bid 4 with
a medium or maximum opening hand, or with 6 or more trumps (since the partnership is
known to have a 10 card fit).

With a maximum hand, bid 3NT. This is a conventional bid, which promises an opening hand and
at least 4 trumps. You should not bid 4 of the major, since, as discussed above, that is
a pre-emptive bid that promises 5 or more trumps and no more than 11 points. With a minimum
hand, opener should bid 4 of the major. With a medium hand, opener should consider
exploring for slam. We will discuss slam bidding in a future lesson. If opener has a maximum hand,
slam is likely, so opener should ask for aces and bid slam if the partnership is not missing 2 aces.

Some experts play a convention known as Jacoby 2NT. This is similar to the 3NT bid discussed
above -- it shows 4 card support and an opening hand. However, the responses are fairly
complex, so I recommend you use 3NT to show this type of hand.

Responses with 3 card support
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For illustration purposes, assume partner has bid 1H and you, as responder, have exactly 3 hearts.

With a minium hand, bid 2H (even if you have 4 or 5 spades). Opener should bid 4H with a maximum hand.

With a medium hand, bid a new suit (remember, a new suit forces opener to bid again).
If opener's next bid shows a minimum hand, jump to 3H (e.g., 1H-2C-2D-3H). If opener's
next bid shows a medium or better hand, jump to 4H (e.g., 1H-2D-2S-4H).

With a maximum hand, bid a new suit and then jump to 4H.

Quiz
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Your partner opens 1H. What do you bid with each of the following hands?

1) S xxxxx
   H Kxxx
   D x
   C xxx

Pass. You have less than 6 points.

2) S xxxx
   H Kxxxx
   D x
   C xxx

4H. Even though you have less than 6 points, you have at least a 10 card fit.
This pre-empts the opponents, making it hard for them to bid. At worst, this will
be a good sacrifice.

3) S Kxxxx
   H Kxx
   D xxx
   C xx

2H. You have a minimum hand and 3 card support. This is the best description of
your hand, and makes it easiest for partner to judge whether or not to bid further.
It also mildly pre-empts your opponent. There really is no reason to bid 1S.

4) S xxx
   H KQxx
   D xxxxx
   C x

2H. You have a minimum hand. However, this is a much better hand than 3). If partner
invites to game by bidding 3H or a new suit, you should accept.

5) S KQxxx
   H KQxx
   D xx
   C xx

3H. You have a medium hand and 4 trump. A bid of 3NT (4 trump and a maximum hand)
is too aggressive. You could bid 1S, followed by 3H, but partner will play
you for 3 trumps (see next hand), and may not bid game when it should be bid.

 6) S KQxxx
    H KQx
    D xxx
    C xx

1S. Remember, partner must bid again since a new suit by responder is forcing.
You will then bid 3H over whatever partner bids (e.g., 1H-1S-1NT-3H).
This sequence shows a medium hand and 3 trumps.

 7) S KQxx
    H Kxxx
    D Axx
    C xx

A classic 3NT bid (maximum hand with 4 trumps). Remember, 3NT is not to play. Partner
is obligated to bid 4H or try for a heart slam.

 8) S Kxx
    H Kxxxx
    D QJxx
    C x

Bid 4H, showing 5 card support and less than a maximum hand.

You have opened 1H and your partner has responded 2H. What is your next bid?

1) S AQxx
   H KQxxx
   D Kx
   C xx

Pass. Partner has 6-8 points. Game is not possible.

2) S xxx
   H AKJxxx
   D Axx
   C x

Pass. Although this is a bit better hand than hand 1), game is still very unlikely.

3) S xx
   H AKJxxx
   D AQxx
   C x

Try for game by bidding 3D. Partner should accept with 8 points or 7 points
and diamond cards (e.g., the K, or J10).

4) S Kxx
   H AKQxx
   D QJxx
   C x

Bid 4H. A bit aggressive, but, as opener, you have close to a maximum hand,
and game will make most of the time. If playing with an aggressive partner
who sometimes bids 2H with 4-5 points, make a game try by bidding 3 diamonds.

5) S KJxx
   H AQxxx
   D Ax
   C Kx

Bid 4H. Game is virtually assured unless you encounter some unusual breaks.

You have opened 1S and partner has responded 3S. What is your next bid?

1) S AJxxx
   H KJxx
   D Kx
   C xx

Pass. You have a minimum.

2) S AJxxxx
   H KJx
   D Kx
   C xx

Bid 4S. Even though you have a minimum, you have a 10 card fit.
Pass is possible, but conservative.

3) S Axxxx
   H KQxx
   D AJx
   C x

Bid 4S. You have a medium hand, and will make game more often than not. 
