**Major Suit Responses**

With 11-15 HCP and a 5+ card major suit, we open 1 of the major, e.g., 1S.  With 8+ HCP and a 5+ card suit we can overcall at the 1 level, e.g., (1D)-1S.

The partner of the opener(overcaller), the Responder(Advancer), has a number of possible responses to indicate point count and support or another biddable suit.

**With no interference by opener’s LHO:**

^Opener's bid^Responder^Description^
|1H| | |
| |1S|8+ HCP, 4+S, no support for H|
|1M (1H/1S)| | |
| |2M|6-9 pts, 3 card support. Opener with 14-15 HCP can invite to game|
| |3M|0-7 pts, 4+ card support, preemptive and opener should normally pass|
| |4M| 13+ points, 4 card support, and no side feature suggesting slam|
| |3C (Combined Bergen)| 8-12 points and 4+ card support. Opener can ask for a refinement of points by bidding 3D.  Responder answers with 3H:8-9 or 3S:10-12.|
| |2N|Slam invitation, see [[slambidding|Slam Bidding]]|
| |3D (Combined Bergen)| 10-12 points and 3 card support|
| |2C, 2D, 2H|13+ HCP and 4+ card suit. With 3 card support Responder rebids opener’s suit.  Otherwise a major game is likely if we can find a fit in the other major or NT is viable.  A minor suit game is possible but a fit must be found and hand evaluation must support a game bid.|
| |1N|8-12 points and no support for major| 

Notice the ability to give point count range and whether there is 4 card support, 3 card support, or less than 3 card support, generally in one bid.  The exception is the 13+ point hand with 3 card support that requires 2 bids.  Often opener can place the final contract after Responders first bid.

**With interference by opener’s LHO:**

If LHO bids a double, 1S (over 1H), or 1N, responder ignores the interference bid and proceeds normally, except Double of 1N is a "stolen bid", i.e., that is the bid you would have made..

If LHO bids 2x, then we make the following adjustments:

  * We no longer bid 3C or 3D as Bergen raises
  * Cue bid of opponent’s suit with 10-12 points and 3 card support
  * Bid 2N with 10-12 points and 4+ card support
  * Double with 8-12 points and no support.
  * With 13+ points, bid a new suit.  If you have support then rebid opener’s major.
  * Simple raise is still 6-9 points with 3+ card support
  * Jump raise is still <8 points with 4 card support

If LHO bids 3x, our standard system is off.

  * Double with 8-12 points and 3+ support
  * Bid new suit with 13+ points and no support.  Bid 3N with stopper.
  * Bid game with 13+ points and 3+ support

**Comment on weak Responder hands:**

If Responder does not have a fit and has <8 points, the Responder should simply pass.  In this system there is no need to keep the bidding open in case opener had a strong hand.  Responder already knows that opener has a maximum of 15 HCP.  With a fit, bid the appropriate amount.  And Responder can always re-enter the bidding for competitive purposes.