Bridge & other card games/Opener's Rebid

Advertisement


Question
I have a question about opener's rebid in this scenario:

Opener has 17 point hand with
   3 spades
   5 hearts
   4 diamonds
   1 clubs
Opener bids 1 heart, responder bids 2 hearts meaning 6-9 points.  How would opener relay a medium strength hand?  He can't rebid hearts since he does not have 6, and can't bid spades.  Wouldn't bidding a new diamond suit be forcing one round?  Thanks in advance.


Answer
Hello Rosanne,

Yes a 3D call would be natural and forcing for one round. After an auction begins: 1M-(P)-2M-(P) any bid lower than 3H is natural and forcing for one round and shows a medium hand (often called a game invitational hand). These bids are called "game tries." They are intended to help partner judge whether the partnership should play 3H or 4H. For example:

1H-(P)-2H-(P)
3D-(P)-?

You hold: xx, Kxx, KJx, xxxxx
When partner also has values in diamonds, your hand is easily worth a call of 4H.

You hold: xx, Kxx, xxx, KJxxx
With the values in clubs probably wasted, your hand should signoff in 3H.


I hope that helps. Good luck and enjoy your bridge!


Andrew

Bridge & other card games

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Andrew Gumperz

Expertise

Bridge Bidding using the Standard American or 2/1 Game Forcing bidding systems. Declarer play and defense problems, defensive signals. I am not an expert on questions concerning bridge law, but I do my best to answer them.

Experience

I have been playing bridge competitively at a high level for 25 years and professionally off and on. I have won several regional events and have played as the partner of two world champion players.

Organizations
American Contract Bridge League (ACBL)

Publications
Scottish Bridge News

Education/Credentials
Undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.