Introduction
The opening bidder is the first player to make a bid. There is only one opening bidder. The other bidders are either overcallers or responders and bid using different conventions. This lesson covers the basics of opening 1-NT and basic generic responses. Later parts will cover 5-card suit responses, Stayman responses, and Jacoby Transfer responses.
The generic bids cover the no trump bids. The other conventions explore opportunities for a suit-related contract. Note that a major suit contract is usually safer than an equivalent no trump contract when there are 8 or more trumps in the partnership.
The purpose of bidding is to determine if the combined partnership hands are strong enough and shaped properly for a game bid or a slam bid. If so, the goal of the partnership is to arrive at the bid. Otherwise, the partnership should settle for a lower bid or pass.
Members of the bidding team don’t see each other’s hands and only use strict bidding rules. A set of bidding conventions are designed to make the communication of hand strength and suit length to one’s partner so that the goal of reaching a profitable and makeable contract is reached. This and subsequent pages on bidding lay out a set of basic conventions and methodologies that should lead to successful Bridge contracts.
Bidding rules
A bidder can pass or double or redouble or make a bid. A bid is a number (1-7) and a suit (♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ or NT). Bids must increase in value by suit, then by value. A double can be made only after the last bid is from an opponent’s hand, A redouble can only be made only if the last action was an opponent’s double. Three passes after any player action ends the bidding. The last player to make a bid wins the auction.
Reevaluating HCP
A tweak to the evaluation of HCP can help in deciding bidding choices when the margins are close. While 10’s and 9’s are normally not counted as HCP, some card combinations are more valuable.
Two 10-cards accompanied by an honor card in the same suit could add a point to the HCP count. Also two 10,9 sequences accompanied by honor cards or supporting cards could add a point to the HCP count. And two J, 10 or a J, 10, 9 could add a point to the HCP count. A point of caution: Only add 1 point to HCP even though there might be different sets of 10, 9 combinations.
I used this technique in responding to a 1-NT opening. I was one point short of bidding 3-NT, but my hand had two 10,9 sequences. I bid 3-NT, and my partner made the bid while turning one of my 9’s into a winner.
The Balanced Hand
A balanced hand contains no voids and no singletons and no more than 2 doubletons. I favor the more conservative approach and allow at most, 1 doubleton, except possibly with a strong, 17 HCP hand.
The 1 NT Opening
Open 1-NT with a point count with 15-17 HCP’s, stoppers in 3 suits, and a balanced hand.
Who is in Control
With a narrow range of points, determining which partner should make the decision to play at 3-NT is a matter of simple arithmetic.
If you have 10 HCP, you should play a game contract (15+10 = 25).
If you have 17 HCP, you should play a game contract (17+8 = 25).
So, an opener with 17 HCP and/or a responder with 10 HCP should choose to bid at 3 NT or 4-major suit. An opener with 15 HCP or a responder with 8 HCP should let the partner make the choice.
Analysis by the Responder
If the responder has less than 8 points, then the responder should pass or issue a so-called drop-dead bid. Otherwise, the responder should analyze the hand. Before doing anything, the responder must check for a partial score. If there is, then a partial score bid toward game may be makeable with as few as 6 points. The first step is to apply the 10,9 rule if you have 9 HCP. Use the 8-HCP option if you do not add a point and use the 10-HCP options if you do.
Your 8 HCP combined with partner’s maximum 17 yields 25 HCP. Any response shows 8 HCP. You should respond and give the opener the choice. |
Generic Responder Bids
Generic responses are basic No Trump responses. They apply when a suit response doesn’t appear to be an option.
These responses also work in conjunction with the three suit-related conventions.
Pass shows 0-7 HCP. |
Opener Rebids for Generic Responder Bids
These responses also work in conjunction with the three suit-related conventions.
In all cases, pass when partner passes. 15 HCP. Pass on the generic responses. 16 HCP. Reevaluate hand with 10,9 rule. Choose 15 HCP options when no point is added, and 17 HCP options when a point is added. 17 HCP. Accept the invitation to a small slam. |
A Bidding Example
As dealer, South starts the bidding at 1 NT. How would the bidding proceed using the generic No Trump responses?
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South opens 1-NT with 15 HCP and a balanced hand.
North bids 3-NT with 12 HCP because the partnership has at least 27 HCP (12+15).
South passes because North did make a slam invitation.
Review Questions
Some questions may have more than one correct answer.
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Answer the following questions related to the partnership above using Generic No Trump responses.
1. What will South open and why?
2. How will North respond and why?
3. How will South respond to North and why?
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4. What will South Open and why?
5. How will North respond and why?
6. How will South respond to North and why?
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♠ ♥ ♦ ♣