Home | Learn | Beginners' Course - Standard | Responder changes suit

Responder changes suit

with Tina McVeigh

In this lesson, Tina talks about responder changing suit. Watch the video to learn:

The difference between bidding a new suit and limit bids
Why a change of suit is forcing
Why you often want to keep the auction as low as possible

After you watch the video, go ahead and try playing these lesson hands. Hints will guide you through the auctions.

Beginners' Course Standard - Responder changes suit in Bridge

Play

Review what you've learned by answering the questions below.

Question 1: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠8 ♥KQ85 ♦AT874 ♣A94

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

2♥ - Showing a minimum opening hand.

Question 2: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠KQ74 ♥T2 ♦AJ963 ♣A8

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

1♠ - Keep looking for a fit. Every bid describes your hand more to partner.

Question 3: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠K85 ♥Q82 ♦AQJT82 ♣2

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

2♦ - You don't have a heart fit, because partner has only promised four hearts, but you have a long diamond suit. Tell partner you prefer diamonds.

Question 4: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠65 ♥AKT3 ♦KQJ75 ♣AQ

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

4♥ - Great! You opened your longest suit and then partner bid hearts. You have a fit as well as a very strong hand. You only needed 6 HCP from partner for game.

Question 5: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠K6 ♥6 ♦KQ862 ♣AJ542

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

2♣ - It is very important to show partner your second suit.

Question 6: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠4 ♥JT85 ♦KQJ62 ♣AQ3

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

2♥ - You have a heart fit but a minimum hand.

Question 7: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠AK75 ♥AT ♦AJT653 ♣2

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

1♠ - Still looking for a fit. Partner could still have four spades.

Question 8: You open the bidding with 1♦. Partner responds 1♥. What do you rebid?

♠KJ5 ♥4 ♦Q98653 ♣AKT

1♠

2♣

2♦

2♥

2♠

4♥

2♦ - No fit and lots of diamonds. It is not the right shape to bid notrumps. Even though your suit is not very good, you do have six of them.

1NT Response

1NT response is a special bid with a specific message. It denies the ability to bid a suit at the 1-level and it also denies the strength to bid at the 2-level. This means that it may not be balanced. You are keeping the auction open in case partner is very strong.

Note: always bid a major suit if you can before bidding no-trumps.

Question 9: Partner opens 1♥. What is your response?

♠A2 ♥65 ♦K98652 ♣985

Pass

1♠

1NT

2♦

3NT

You are not strong enough to bid 2♦. You must bid 1NT.

Question 10: Partner opens 1♥. What is your response?

♠A842 ♥65 ♦K986 ♣985

Pass

1♠

1NT

2♦

2♠

Bid 1♠, not 1NT.

Ready to continue to the next lesson?

Continue

Responder changes suit

1NT Response

Comments