Reverses IV - Responding to a Reverse

This post is a continuation of previous posts. Please read them first and if you understand everything you can continue with this post.
Simple Reverses
Reverses Part II
Reverses Part III

So far we have just talked about Opener and what they do. Now we are going to focus on Responder.

Responding to a reverse is tough. First you have to recognize whether or not Opener made a reverse bid. Then you have to decide whether or not you have enough for a game. Then you have to somehow let Opener know what the situation is!

How does Responder do that?

Since Opener should have at least 17 or more High Card Points (or the equivalent in distribution), Responder only needs 8 or more HCP to have the values to go to game.

But Responder only needs 6 HCP to respond. Therefore sometimes Responder will NOT have enough to force Opener to a game if Opener has a minimum reverse.

How does Responder tell Opener they are going to game versus letting Opener know they only have a very weak hand and they do not wish to be in game unless Opener is VERY strong?

There are a few different ways of doing this. The simplest way of doing this is also the way recommended in the book "Standard Bidding with SAYC" by Ned Downey and Ellen Pomer. So that is what I will teach in these posts.

("Standard Bidding with SAYC" is a good book for more intermediate level players that want to learn a standard set of rules. If you are wondering what SAYC means please check out the previous post: SAYC)

Back to our topic. How to respond to our Partner after they made a reverse bid.

It may seem strange but either raising Opener's second suit OR going back to the first suit Opener bid is GAME FORCING. Responder should have at least 8 HCP (remember that Opener should have at least 17 when they make a reverse so the partnership has enough for a game) and a fit for the suit. Opener is supposed to have five cards in their first suit when they reverse and only four cards in their second suit.

If you raise with a strong hand then what do you do with a weak hand?

You bid 2NT. This is NOT a bid saying you want to play in 2NT. This is an artificial bid that asks partner to bid their original suit at the 3 level. Once they do this you can "Pass" if you like their first suit better than their second suit or "correct" to Opener's second suit in which case you are asking Opener to "Pass".

If you play duplicate bridge, the 2NT bid MUST be alerted. When you place the 2NT bid on the table, your partner must say "Alert". If the Opponents ask what the 2NT bid means then your Partner (not you -- you don't alert or explain your own bids) must say something like "My Partner wants me to now bid my original suit at the three level. They are showing me they have a weak hand."

Let's see some examples.

Here's your hand:
♠853
♥K6
♦K82
♣86532

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. You have at least 6 HCP so you must respond. You don't have a four card major so you bid 1NT. (You do have five ♣ but in order to tell Partner about your ♣ suit you would have to go to the 2 level. Bidding a new suit at the 2 level after Partner opens the bidding shows at least 10 HCP. You only have 6.)

After your 1NT response Partner bids 2♥. What the heck? You already told Partner you don't have four ♥. Why are they bidding ♥?

Ah! This is that reverse bid you just learned! Partner has four ♥, five ♦ and a strong hand -- at least 17 or more HCP!

Do you have enough for game?

No. Not unless Partner has more points. But you do have a ♦ fit. You want to play in ♦ but in as LOW a level as possible.

On this hand you would bid 2NT. This FORCES Partner to say 3♦. Now you can "Pass" and let Partner play in 3♦.

Take a similar hand:
♠853
♥K6
♦K82
♣K6532

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. You have at least 6 HCP so you must respond. You don't have a four card major so you bid 1NT. (You do have five ♣ but in order to tell Partner about your ♣ suit you would have to go to the 2 level. Bidding a new suit at the 2 level after Partner opens the bidding shows at least 10 HCP. You only have 9.)

After your 1NT response Partner bids 2♥. What the heck? You already told Partner you don't have four ♥. Why are they bidding ♥?

Ah! This is that reverse bid you just learned! Partner has four ♥, five ♦ and a strong hand -- at least 17 or more HCP!

Do you have enough for game? YES! Partner has at least 17 HCP. You have 9.

On this hand you want to force the bidding to game. The problem is you are not quite sure what game to play in. 3NT would be nice but if Partner does not have any ♠ then you might be in big trouble. On this hand you can bid 3♦. Partner now knows you have enough values for game and they will bid again. Hopefully 3NT!

Let's look at another hand:
♠A853
♥K6
♦K82
♣8653

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. You have at least 6 HCP so you must respond. You bid 1♠ showing at least four ♠ and at least 6 HCP.)

After your 1♠ response Partner bids 2♥.

This is that reverse bid you just learned! Partner has four ♥, five ♦ and a strong hand -- at least 17 or more HCP!

Do you have enough for game? YES! Partner has at least 17 HCP. You have 10. Plus you have some VERY nice red Kings for Partner! Partner will also love that A♠!

On this hand you want to force the bidding to game. The problem is you are not quite sure what game to play in. 3NT would be nice but if Partner does not have any ♣ then you might be in big trouble. Plus you might even be able to make a slam with these cards. You have a VERY nice hand for Partner. On this hand you can bid 3♦. Partner now knows you have enough values for game and they will bid again. You might even get to that slam.

Let's look at some examples. Do as many as you can before you get bored or frustrated. Then stop.

Hand 1

♠KT96
♥Q97
♦K82
♣J87

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 2

♠T984
♥JT2
♦J64
♣A83

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 3

♠KT73
♥6
♦J62
♣QT975

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 4

♠T643
♥AK
♦JT7
♣J965

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 5

♠KT73
♥J85
♦QT5
♣943

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 6

♠6532
♥Q73
♦T63
♣KJ5

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 7

♠KQ95
♥A98
♦QT82
♣75

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 8

♠T932
♥A
♦J43
♣J9643

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 9

♠A873
♥Q82
♦A53
♣876

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 10

♠8654
♥983
♦AJ4
♣J32

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 11

♠9876
♥A73
♦Q98
♣765

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 12

♠J732
♥KT
♦Q83
♣7654

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 13

♠KQJ7
♥T5
♦A65
♣8632

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 14

♠AT52
♥Q2
♦T84
♣T643

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 15

♠T632
♥QT5
♦A32
♣753

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 16

♠AQ72
♥J87
♦K842
♣T3

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 17

♠Q962
♥K32
♦T98
♣J75

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 18

♠T965
♥Q97
♦Q64
♣AK7

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 19

♠8654
♥742
♦A86
♣Q42

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 20

♠AQ62
♥Q6
♦J872
♣T54

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 21

♠JT76
♥T93
♦AJ3
♣874

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 22

♠A832
♥T86
♦964
♣Q72

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 23

♠T864
♥Q7
♦AQ3
♣7652

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 24

♠Q962
♥92
♦986
♣KJ84

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 25

♠T952
♥QJT
♦KQ7
♣T76

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 26

♠J965
♥J4
♦KT4
♣J943

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 27

♠Q973
♥653
♦J94
♣K76

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 28

♠K964
♥T74
♦982
♣K86

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 29

♠KT84
♥AJ4
♦QT52
♣76

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 30

♠T972
♥J8
♦A82
♣J542

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?



Hand 31

♠KJ63
♥T76
♦Q94
♣832

This is the auction:

Opener (you)	Responder (Partner)
1♦	1♠
2♥	???

First count your High Card Points. With 8 or more you have enough values for game since Opener should have at least 17.

Do you have a fit for Opener’s ♦? When Opener makes a reverse they should have FIVE in their original suit. You only need three for a fit.

With a weaker hand (6 or 7 HCP) bid 2NT to force Opener to bid 3♦.

With enough values for game bid 3♦. This shows a fit for Opener’s first suit and enough values for game.

What is your bid?

What does your bid say about your hand?