Responses and Rebids After a Precision 1 Opening Bid

Responses and Rebids After a Precision 1 Opening Bid Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved This is our sixth article on the Precision Club Bidding System. In this article, we will discuss some suggestions for bidding after your partner opens the Precision 1 and your right hand opponent (RHO) either passes or intervenes with a bid. As stated in Article One of this series, the Precision 1 bid is a limit bid (usually with 11-15 HCP). The thing that makes the bid somewhat unusual is that it can be of almost any distribution and does not guarantee any number of diamonds maybe even zero diamonds. Keep in mind, because we cannot open the Match Point 1NT or 2 bids with a fourcard major, we often make a 1 bid with a hand that has a four-card major. However, that is not always the case. Just to give you an idea of the variety of card distributions your 1 bids might have, try the following quiz. QUIZ #1: Which of these hands would be opened with a Precision 1 bid? 1) K Q 5 2 K J 3 2 A 10 7 4 3 2) A 10 8 A Q 8 6 Q 10 7 6 5 2 3) Q J K 8 A J 9 5 4 Q 7 5 3 4) 9 8 4 3 7 A K Q 10 J 7 6 5 5) K 8 7 5 9 4 A K Q 8 7 3 2 6) K 8 7 5 9 4 A K Q 8 7 3 2 The suggested answers for each of the quizzes in this article appear at the end of the article. In discussing responses and rebids to the 1 opening bid, we will begin with the assumption that your RHO passes. Responding when your RHO passes partner's 1 opening bid: Responding with less than 16 HCP and a single four-card or longer major Our first objective after partner opens 1 is to try and find a four-four or better major suit fit! Thus, if we have a four-card or longer major and 5-15 HCP, we will bid it at the one level after our partner's 1 opening. For example, 1 1 shows at least four hearts and less than 16 HCP. (Note: if you have a very distributional hand with a long major suit, you Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 1 of 10

could have as few as 3-4 HCP to bid one of a major over partner's 1 opening bid). Discussed below are the options after you have bid your four-card major over partner's 1 opening bid. 1. When opener has four-card support for your major bid: With four-card support for your major, opener should give you an immediate raise (usually this is true even when LHO gets into the auction). Once your suit has been raised, you could (a) pass showing a minimum responding hand, (b) make a game try with a good 9 to 12 HCP, (c) immediately bid game with an opening hand of your own, or (d) make a slam try with an opening hand or near opening hand and distributional values that includes one or more singletons or voids. [Note that it is beyond the scope of this article to discuss the many conventions and gimmicks you can use for game and slam trys perhaps in a later article if enough readers express interest we can discuss some of these items.] Note that some precision players, when the opening 1 bidder has a maximum 14-15 HCP for her opening bid and four-card support for the major suit, prefer to have the opener make a jump in the major (an example would be the following sequence where both opponents pass: opener bids 1, you bid 1, and opener rebids 3 ). The 3 bid promises fourcard support for hearts and 14-15 HCP. Occasionally, this will get you one-level too high; but, often it helps you decide whether to bid game or make a slam try. 2. When opener has less than four-card support for your major: Obviously, many times, your partner will not have four-card support for your major suit bid. If this is the case, some of the bids opener could make include: a) 1NT shows 11-12 HCP, a balanced hand, and no four-card major (partner would have opened a Precision 1NT with 13-15 HCP, a balanced hand, and no four-card major); b) 2 shows 11-15 HCP and longer clubs than diamonds (this bid should be alerted and explained to the opponents if they ask what the alert means); c) 2 shows 11-15 HCP and at least five diamonds; or d) 1 over your 1 (or 2 over your 1 ) shows that opener has four-cards in the suit she bids. Responding with less than 16 HCP and two four-card or longer majors (both equal length) What should you do when partner opens 1 and you have two equal length four-card or longer majors? What you do in this situation depends upon the strength of your hand. You should consider both HCP strength and playing strength (distributional values) in making your decision whether to bid hearts or spades first. What happens next depends upon partner's rebid and the relative strength of your hand. Usually, we would bid 1 first and our next bid will depend upon what partner does. Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 2 of 10

Discussed below are opener's options and your possible rebids. 1. When opener has four-card support for your major bid: The opener's rebid suggestions at the top of the previous page (for when you only had one four-card major) also apply in this situation as do your rebids when partner supports your heart suit. Note that in addition to the actions mentioned above, you could also show your spade suit after opener raises your heart bid (this assumes that in your partnership agreement a bid in the other major is not a cue bid showing a control in that suit). 2. When opener does not have four-card support for your major bid: Obviously, if partner bids 1 (denying four hearts) after your 1 bid, you could (a) pass, (b) make an immediate raise to 2, (c) jump to 3, (d) jump to game in spades, or (e) make a slam try. What you do after partner's spade bid depends upon the quality of your hand and the conventions and gimmicks you and your partner choose to play. Suppose partner does not support hearts nor bid 1 and instead bids 1NT, 2, or 2. You have told your story and should pass if your two major suits are only four-cards long and you have a minimum (5 to a bad 9 HCP) responding hand. But, with a good intermediate strength hand ( good 9 to 12 HCP), you could make a game try. And, with a 13-15 HCP hand of your own, you should show your spade suit (a reverse) informing partner you have a good hand with at least equal length in hearts and spades plus an interest in going to game. In addition, when your major suits each have five or more cards and where your points are concentrated in your major suits, you could choose to rebid the hearts or bid 2 ; even with fewer than good 9 HCP values. [If you choose to bid 2, you have told partner that you have an opening hand with at least four-cards in both of the major suits. So, be prepared if partner elects to jump to game in one of your major suits or even 3NT.] Responding with less than 16 HCP and a no four-card or longer major Discussed below are the various possibilities for responding without a four-card major. 1. When you have a balanced hand and 8-10 HCP: With 8-10 HCP and a balanced hand, bid 1NT (note that with favorable vulnerability, you could consider making the 1NT bid with as few as 6 HCP). What happens after your 1NT bid is generally a matter of partnership agreement and the opener's HCP strength and card distribution. 2. When you have at least five diamonds: a) With less than 8 HCP, pass; b) With 8-10 HCP, bid 3 (this is an inverted bid and should be alerted with normal bidding, this would be considered a strong bid rather than a weak bid); Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 3 of 10

c) With 11-15 HCP, bid 2 (this shows partner you have an opening hand and at least five diamonds this is also an inverted that should be alerted). 3. When you have at least five clubs: a) With less than 9 HCP, pass [Note: if partner's 1 is doubled by your LHO, you might consider a redouble by the opener as a SOS bid asking you to bid your best suit, in this case clubs, if your RHO passes the redouble the author and his partner learned the hard way that a doubled 1 contract can be disastrous]; b) With 9-15 HCP, bid 2 (what happens after your 2 bid is generally a matter of partnership agreement and the opener's HCP strength and card distribution). Try the following quiz to practice your knowledge about responding to partner's 1 opening bid when you have less than 16 HCP. QUIZ #2: In the following hands your partner has made a 1 opening bid. Assume that your RHO passes, what bids should you make with the following hands? 1) J 7 5 4 Q 3 2 A 10 8 7 6 5 2) 9 8 Q J 7 4 9 8 6 4 J 10 6 3) K 5 K 8 3 2 J 9 4 Q 7 4 3 4) 7 4 3 A Q J 7 2 10 6 7 6 5 5) 9 8 7 6 8 J 7 3 Q 8 7 5 3 6) K J 10 9 8 7 4 2 9 2 8 6 2 7) A K K J 10 9 8 7 4 2 4 2 8) K J 10 4 Q 8 7 5 J 7 3 2 3 9) A Q 10 9 5 Q J 8 6 5 10 6 9 Here is an additional quiz about actions you take after partner's 1 opening bid. QUIZ #3: For the following hands, assume that RHO passes the 1 opening bid, that you also pass, that LHO doubles, partner redoubles, and RHO passes the redouble. What would you bid? 1) J 7 5 4 Q 3 2 J 10 8 7 6 5 Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 4 of 10

QUIZ #3: For the following hands, assume that RHO passes the 1 opening bid, that you also pass, that LHO doubles, partner redoubles, and RHO passes the redouble. What would you bid? 2) 9 8 Q 10 7 4 9 8 6 4 J 10 6 3) K 10 9 5 3 2 J 9 4 Q 7 6 3 4) 7 4 3 K 9 8 7 2 10 6 7 6 5 5) 9 8 7 6 8 J 7 3 Q 8 7 5 3 Responding when you have more than 16 HCP After RHO passes your partner's 1 opening bid and you have 16 or more HCP, here are the suggested bids: 1. With a balanced hand, bid 2NT (this bid should be alerted as it differs from the standard 2NT bid); 2. With an unbalanced hand that contains five or more clubs, hearts or spades, jump in your long suit; and 3. With an unbalanced hand that contains five or more diamonds, bid 2 (note that this bid only promises at least 11 HCP; thus, you will need to take control of the hand to insure that you reach the optimal contract). Try the following quiz where partner has opened 1 and you have more than 16 HCP. QUIZ #4: For the following hands, assume that RHO passes the 1 opening bid. What would you bid? 1) A Q K J 7 4 K Q 6 4 J 10 6 2) K Q J 10 9 5 Q 2 A 9 4 A 3 3) A 7 5 4 K 3 2 A K Q 7 6 5 4) 7 4 3 A Q J 7 2 A Q K J 5 5) K 7 6 A A A K Q J 8 7 5 3 Beginning on the next page is a summary of bidding after opener make the Precision 1 opening bid. Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 5 of 10

Summary of Responder's Initial Bids and Opener's Initial Responses After 1 Opening When RHO and LHO Do Not Intervene Responder's Hand Responder's Bids Opener's Hand Opener's Responses 8-15 HCP and one fourcard or longer major [Note: you could extend the point range to 5-15 HCP if you prefer to be more competitive with your responding bids.] 8-15 HCP and two fourcard majors [See the note above.] 8-10 HCP, no four-card major, and balanced hand 8-15 HCP, no four-card major, and 5+ diamonds [note: you could extend the point range to 5-15 HCP if you prefer to be more competitive with your responding bids] 9-15 HCP, no four-card major, and 5+ clubs [note: you could extend the point range to 5-15 HCP if you prefer to be more competitive with your responding bids] 16+ HCP and balanced hand Bid one in your major suit [Note: with 5+ cards in your major suit and sufficient HCP or distributional values, you could rebid your suit if partner does not give you an immediate raise.] Bid 1 [Note: with 5+ cards in your major suit and sufficient HCP or distributional values, you could rebid your suit if partner does not give you an immediate raise.] Bid 1NT <8 HCP Pass 8-10 HCP Bid 3 11-15 HCP Bid 2 <9 HCP Pass 9-15 HCP Bid 2 Bid 2NT Four-card support for responder's suit Four-cards in the other major No four-card major Four-card support for responder's heart suit Four-cards in spades No four-card major Any Any Any Four-card major Other distributions 11-13 HCP: Raise 14-15 HCP: Jump raise [note: this depends upon partnership agreement] 11-15 HCP: Bid the other major 11-12 HCP & balanced hand: Bid 1NT 11-15 HCP & 5+ clubs: Bid 2 11-15 HCP & 5+ diamonds: Bid 2 11-13 HCP: Raise 14-15 HCP: Jump raise [note: this depends upon partnership agreement] 11-15 HCP: Bid 1 11-12 HCP & balanced hand: Bid 1NT 11-15 HCP & 5+ clubs: Bid 2 11-15 HCP & 5+ diamonds: Bid 2 Depends upon hand and partnership agreements Depends upon hand and partnership agreements Depends upon hand and partnership agreements Bid Stayman asking for a four-card major Depends upon hand and partnership agreements 16+ HCP and 5+ clubs, Double jump in the long Any Depends upon hand and Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 6 of 10

Summary of Responder's Initial Bids and Opener's Initial Responses After 1 Opening When RHO and LHO Do Not Intervene Responder's Hand Responder's Bids Opener's Hand Opener's Responses hearts, or spades suit partnership agreements 16+ HCP and 5+ diamonds Bid 2 Any Depends upon hand and partnership agreements Responding when your RHO bids over partner's 1 opening bid: When your RHO bids over your partner's opening 1 opening bid, your bids as responder will generally depend upon your partnership understanding. Consider utilizing the conventions that your currently use when partner's opening bid is overcalled by your RHO.. One suggestion is that you no longer play an inverted minor with your diamond suit bids when RHO overcalls. That is, the cheapest diamond bid by responder after overcalls would suggest at least five or more diamonds and less than an opening hand. A jump in the diamond suit would suggest at least five or more diamonds and an opening hand. The major thing to remember is that the opener's diamond bid could be as few as zero diamonds page. The suggested answers to the quizzes that appeared in this article begin on the next Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 7 of 10

Answers to Quiz #1: In this quiz, you are to determine which of the six hands would be opened with the Precision 1 bid. Hand 1. K Q 5 2 K J 3 2 A 10 7 4 3 This hand has 13 HCP and should be opened. The problems with the hand are the following: (a) you do not have a five-card major; so, you cannot open a Precision 1 or 1 ; (b) you have a five-card club and you also have four-card majors; so, you cannot open a Precision 2 ; and your hand is unbalanced; so, you cannot open a Precision 1NT. Open 1. 2. A 10 8 A Q 8 6 Q 10 7 6 5 2 With 12 HCP, this hand should also be opened. The problems are similar to those listed above for hand #1; but, you have long diamonds instead of clubs. Open 1. 3. Q J K 8 A J 9 5 4 Q 7 5 3 You have 13 HCP and your hand contains two doubleton major suits. You could gamble and open a Precision 1NT; but, a 1 opening bid might keep you out of trouble. Open 1. 4. 9 8 4 3 7 A K Q 10 J 7 6 5 If you had more than 10 HCP, you should open this hand 1 ; but, you don't. Pass! 5. K 8 7 5 9 4 A K Q 8 7 3 2 If you didn't have a four-card spade suit, you could open this hand a Precision 2 ; but, we know that bid denies a four-card major. Open 1 and if responder bids 1, bid 1 - or if responder bids 1, consider jumping to 3. If responder bids 1NT over your 1 opening or raises diamonds, consider bidding your clubs. If responder bids 2 over your 1 opening, things will get very interesting (your opponents will probably get into the bidding with hearts or diamonds)! 6. K 8 7 5 9 4 A K Q 8 7 3 2 Easy - open 1. If responder bids 1, bid 1 - or if responder bids 1, consider jumping to 3. If responder bids 1NT or 2 over your 1 opening or bids clubs, consider rebidding your diamonds. If responder bids 2 or 3 over your 1 opening game or slam prospects will look good (this time, the opponents will probably get into the bidding with hearts or clubs)! Answers to Quiz #2: In this quiz, your partner has opened 1 and the RHO has passed. What should you bid? Hand 1. J 7 5 4 Q 3 2 A 10 8 7 6 5 Remember, after partner open 1, one of our major objectives is to find a four-four or better major fit! If you choose to respond with this hand, bid 1. 2. 9 8 Q J 7 4 9 8 6 4 J 10 6 With only 3 HCP, a lack of real distributional values, and only four hearts, this hand would be passed by most Precision Club players. If your LHO doubles partner's opening 1, partner redoubles (assuming you play SOS redoubles), and RHO passes, you should then bid 1. Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 8 of 10

3. K 5 K 8 3 2 J 9 4 Q 7 4 3 You have 9 HCP and a four-card heart suit. Bid 1. 4. 7 4 3 A Q J 7 2 10 6 7 6 5 Your hand is a little short of points; but, the five-card heart suit makes it good enough to respond. Bid 1. 5. 9 8 7 6 8 J 7 3 Q 8 7 5 3 This hand would be passed by most Precision Club players. If your LHO doubles partner's opening 1, partner redoubles (assuming you play SOS redoubles), and RHO passes, you should then bid 1. 6. K J 10 9 8 7 4 2 9 2 8 6 2 Some players would, assuming favorable vulnerability, jump to game in spades with this hand. But, assuming that you do not jump to game, bid 1 and rebid the spades again later if appropriate. 7. A K K J 10 9 8 7 4 2 4 2 Here is your chance to try out the inverted minor convention. With this 11 HCP hand and nice eight-card diamond suit, bid 2. 8. K J 10 4 Q 8 7 5 J 7 3 2 3 Two four-card majors, 7 HCP, and distributional values with the singleton club, bid 1. 9. A Q 10 9 5 Q J 8 6 5 10 6 9 Two five-card majors, 9 HCP, and good distributional values with a doubleton and singleton, bid 1. Answers to Quiz #3: In this quiz, partner opens 1, RHO passes, you pass, LHO doubles, partner doubles ( SOS), and RHO passes, what should you do? Hand 1. J 7 5 4 Q 3 2 J 10 8 7 6 5 With the six-card diamond suit, you could pass the redouble (your hope would be that partner has at least one or two diamonds; but, remember she could have zero diamonds). Some players would bid 1 and hope that partner does not run to clubs (actually, partner's SOS redouble should mean that she has at least three-cards in each of the other suits it is doubtful that she would have only one or two spades). 2. 9 8 Q 10 7 4 9 8 6 4 J 10 6 Bid 1. 3. K 10 9 5 3 2 J 9 4 Q 7 6 3 Bid 1. 4. 7 4 3 K 9 8 7 2 10 6 7 6 5 Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 9 of 10

Bid 1. 5. 9 8 7 6 8 J 7 3 Q 8 7 5 3 Bid 1. It might be tempting to bid 2 ; but, if partner can't stand the spades, she might rebid 2 herself. However, it is more likely that, with a long-club suit, should would have bid them after the double. Answers to Quiz #4: Bid the hands assuming that RHO passes your partner's 1 opening bid. Hand 1. A Q K J 7 4 K Q 6 4 J 10 6 With this 16 HCP balanced hand, bid 2NT. 2. K Q J 10 9 5 Q 2 A 9 4 A 3 This time, your hand is unbalanced with 16 HCP, bid 2. 3. A 7 5 4 K 3 2 A K Q 7 6 5 You have 16 HCP and a good six-card diamond suit. Make an inverted 2 bid and plan to take control of the hand to determine the final contract. 4. 7 4 3 A Q J 7 2 A Q K J 5 Another big hand, jump-shift in hearts. Bid 2. 5. K 7 6 A A A K Q J 8 7 5 3 Big, big 21 HCP hand your side obviously has the majority of the points in this hand. Jump-shift in clubs and plan to bid a slam. Bid 3. Here are some of the future articles that are planned for the Matchpoint Precision Club series: Responses and Rebids When Your Partner Makes a Precision 1 or 1 Opening Bid Responses and Rebids When Your Partner Makes a Precision 1NT Opening Bid Responses and Rebids When Your Partner makes a Precision 2 Opening Bid Responses and Rebids When Your Partner makes a Precision 2 Opening Bid Responses and Rebids When Your Partner makes a Precision 2 or 2 Opening Bid Have comments or questions about this series, email us at the address below. Also, reprints of the Matchpoint Precision Club articles will soon be available for a nominal fee, send an email for more information. www.usabridge@yahoo.com Copyright 2010 by O. K. Johnson, all rights reserved Page 10 of 10