The objective of bidding in partnership is to find an eight card major

suit fit to play in besides the 25 points needed to make a game.

MAJOR OPENINGS (1♥/1♠)

When partner opens 1♥ or 1♠, he promises at least 5 cards in the

bid Major suit and 12 to 19 points. You therefore need at least 3
cards in that suit to show a fit. Having found a major suit fit, do not
look for fits in other suits. Your response should tell partner both
about the fit and the points you have. You must respond with 6
points as partner could have opened with 19 points.

a. After a 1♥ or 1♠ opening and support (3+ cards in bid Major)

 with 0-5 points, pass

 with 6-10 points, make a simple raise. (1♥-2♥ or 1♠-2♠)
 with 11-12 points, invite with jump raise. (e.g. raise 1♠ to 3♠)
 with 13+ points, jump to game (1♥-4♥/1♠-4♠) or explore slam
(explained later)

b. After a 1♥ or 1♠ opening without support (less than 3 cards)

 with 0-5 points, pass

 with 6-10 points, bid 1NT
 with 11-12 points, bid 2NT
 with 13+ points, jump to game (3NT) or explore slam
(explained later)

When partner opens 1♥, he may also be holding a 4 card ♠. Hence the
following additional bid is applicable after a 1♥ opening.

 with 6+ points, and 4+ cards in ♠ and without 3 card ♥, bid 1♠.

This is a non-limit raise bid. (Partner can have very large hand)

Therefore it follows that a response of 1NT by partner after a 1♥ opening,

denies 3 card Heart support and also denies a 4 card Spade.

OTHER RESPONSES TO A 1♥ OR 1♠ OPENING

1♠ - 2♥ (12 + points with 5+♥ forcing to game denies 3+ Spades),

OPENER’S REBIDS

a. When Partner Supports Your Major Suit Opening

When partner responds 1♥- 2♥ / 1♠-2♠; or 1♥-3♥ / 1♠-3♠, he shows his support
(3+ cards) in your major suit and also describes his point range.

In response to 1♥- 2♥ or 1♠-2♠; (partner showing 6-10 points).

 With 12-14 points, pass or Re-bid your opening suit with 6+ cards
 With 15-17 points invite partner, by bidding 3♥ or 3♠
 With 18/19 points bid game directly (or look for a slam explained later).

In response to 1♥-3♥ / 1♠-3♠(partner inviting with 11-12 points)

 with 12 points pass

 with 13+ points bid game (4 Major).

b. When Partner Responds No-Trumps (Showing no support for your Major)

After a 1 NT response (1♥ -1NT or 1♠-1NT)

 with 12-14 points – pass

 with 15-17 points, bid 2NT inviting partner to Game. Partner will bid 3NT
with 8-9 points or pass with 6-7 points.
 with 18/19 points bid game directly (3NT).

After a 2NT response to your Major (1♥-2NT or 1♠-2NT)

 with 12 points (minimum), pass and with 13 + points bid game (3NT)

c. When Partner Responds 1♠ after 1♥ (showing 4+ ♠).

With 4 Spades,

 bid 2♠ with 12-15 points, (minimum hand with 8 card ♠ fit)

 bid 3♠ with 16-17 points (invitational hand with 8 card ♠ fit)
 bid 4♠ with 18+ points (Game hand with 8 card ♠ fit)

With 18-19 points and a balanced hand bid, bid 2NT. This is known as
jump-shift (Jumping one level and shifting the suit)
 Responses summary for a 1 Heart Opening
Response Meaning
Pass 0-5 points
1♠ 6 + points with min 4♠. Subsequent bid describes hand
6-9 points. May be unbalanced, and may have a 5+
1 NT
card suit. Denies 4-card ♠. Non-forcing
2♣/♦ 5+ card suit and 11+ points. Forcing for 1 round.
Single raise shows at least 3-card support and 6 - 10
2♥
points. Non-forcing.
Strong Jump Shift, showing a 5+ card suit and 17-19
2♠/3♣/♦ points. Forcing to game.
3♠ Limit raise, shows 5♠ & 10-12 points. Non- forcing.
Shows balanced 15-17 HCP with two-card support.
3NT
Responder normally denies 4 card ♠. Forcing to game

Responses summary for a 1 Spade Opening

Response Meaning
Pass 0-5 points
6-10 points. May be unbalanced, and may have a 5+
1 NT
card suit. Non-forcing
2♣/♦/♥ 5+ card suit and 11+ points. Forcing for 1 round.
Single raise shows at least 3-card support and 6- 10
2♠
points. Non-forcing.
Strong Jump Shift, showing a 5+ card suit and 17-19
3♣/♦/♥
points. Forcing.
3♠ Limit raise, shows 5♠ & 10 -12 points. Non- forcing.
Shows balanced 15-17 HCP with two-card support.
3NT
Forcing to game