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 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.
