Responder's Rebid

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Bidding is most accurate when one partner limits their hand, making their partner the “Captain of the Auction.” The Captain of the Auction places the contract or asks questions to find the right contract.

A response of 1-of-a-suit has a wide point range, typically 6 or more points. However, responder could be much weaker. Responder would like to categorize their strength per the table below.

The most difficult auctions are where opener rebids a new suit at the 1-level or a new suit at the 2-level which is lower ranking than their original suit. These auctions are difficult because opener could have a minimum hand or an intermediate hand (12-17 HCP). Opener was strong enough to open the bidding, but not strong enough to force to game opposite a potentially weak responder. Since opener could have 17 points, a game may be available if responder has 8+ points. Responder should strive to keep the bidding open to allow opener to clarify their strength.

If responder has invitational values (11-12), responder makes an invitational bid, a jump raise, a jump rebid, or 2NT if feasible.

If responder has an opening hand, responder should make a forcing bid. It is wise to play 4^th Suit Forcing to game. Responder’s bid of the 4^th suit is artificial and forcing to game. Responder’s rebid of 1NT, 2 of their suit, or 2 of opener’s suit show a less than invitational hand.

Other rebids by responder, such as a preference for opener’s 1^st suit or a raise of opener’s second suit have a wider range. Responder could have invitational values with a flaw for making a clearly invitational bid. Responder could have a less than invitational hand, and could be quite weak. Below is a summary of responder’s rebids on the following auction.

Please note the jump to 3NT shows 13-15 HCP. With 16+ points, responder is too strong to jump to 3NT. Responder should plan to make a slam try. Responder can use 4^th Suit Forcing, an artificial 2♣ bid on this auction, to establish a game force. Similarly, the jump to 4♠ shows 13-15 Support Points and 4-card spade support. With a stronger hand, responder uses 4^th Suit Forcing, sets spades as trump, and then shows slam interest.

On the auction below, responder’s 1NT bid limits their hand, 6-10 HCP. Opener is the Captain of the Auction.

If playing 2/1 Game Force, a 1NT response over a major suit opening limits responder’s hand to 12 or less points. This makes opener the Captain of the auction. On the auction below, responder could have an invitational hand. If so responder needs to show their invitational value. On the auction below, North could rebid 2NT to show 11-12 HCP and a stopper in the unbid minor.

When Opener’s Rebid Limits their Hand

Auctions are easier when opener limits their hand, making responder the Captain of the Auction. The rebid options for opener on the auction below show different types of minimum openers.

When opener rebids 1NT or their minor, there isn’t enough bidding room for natural bidding to suffice. Would a jump to 3 of responder’s major be invitational or game forcing? An artificial bid is needed. The same applies when opener rebids their minor. The table below summarizes the best and easiest agreements for responder to categorize their strength and guide the auction to the right contract. These require memorization and practice. When opener shows a minimum raise of responder’s major, natural bidding works well.

If opener’s rebid shows a minimum opener with a 6+ card suit, there isn’t an urgent need for a weak responder to try to improve the contract. Responder should only act with an invitational or better hand.

When opener’s rebid shows an intermediate hand, 15-17 (18) points, responder is the Captain of the Auction. If responder has 9-10 points, they should look for game. Sometimes a fitting 8 HCP hand will suffice. Natural bidding works well.

On the auction below, responder’s rebid shows 18-19 HCP (oo strong to open 1NT, not strong enough for 2NT). It is best to play transfers. This allows the partnership to stop in 3-of-a-suit when responder is weak with a long suit.  See our "Transfers over Opener's 2NT Jump Rebid" article.

Recommended Articles on Responder's Rebid:

• "Responder's second bid" by Karen Walker 
• "Responders Rebid" by Andrew Robson