This Week in Bridge
(383) Raising Responder’s Suit
© AiB Robert S. Todd
Levels: 5 of 10 (2 of 6) robert@advinbridge.com
General
When we open the bidding with a suit at the 1-level and partner responds with a suit of their own, then one of our most common rebids is to raise partner’s suit. We need to describe our fit, shape of our hand, and the strength of our opening hand (small, medium, large, XL). To do this, we need a large number of different ways of raising partner’s suit. Here we look at how we do that when we have all our bidding space and when the opponents take away some of our bidding space.
Raising Responder’s Suit
When partner responds in a suit where we have a fit, we need to let them know. We can simply raise their suit, jump raise their suit, or even use some other gadgets to show more information about our fit, strength, and shape.
Example 1
1♣ P 1♠ P
__?
What are our options for raising partner’s suit in this auction?
2♠ 12-14 points, 4-card ♠, balanced or unbalanced
3♠ 15-17 points, 4-card ♠, unbalanced (or semi-balanced)
4♠ 18-20 points, 4-card ♠, no splinter
3♦/3♥ 15-17 points, 4-card ♠, mini-splinter
4♦/4♥ 18+points, 4-card ♠, splinter
4♣ 4-card ♠, 6+card ♣, good ♣ (usually 2/3 top honors)
4NT Keycard in ♠, a monster hand for Opener
Note: The mini-splinter is only available in certain auctions where there is bidding space between our suit and partner’s suit.
Raising Responder’s Suit After RHO Overcalls
In competition we have some additional options for showing support for partner’s suit.
Example 2
1♣ P 1♥ 1♠
__?
2♥ 12-14 pts, 4-card ♥ support (same as no competition)
3♥ 15-17 pts, 4-card ♥ support (same as no competition)
4♥ 18-19 pts, 4-card ♥ support (same as no competition)
3♠/4♦ Splinter (same as no competition)
3♦ Mini-Splinter (same as no competition)
X Support Double, 3-card support for Responder (3-card ♥). Opener can have any values since they will usually get another chance to bid before the auction ends. (The opponents have helped us find a 5-3 fit.)
Note: A cuebid of the opponent’s suit (2♠) is usually not a fit for partner since we have many other options. This usually shows a very strong hand and asks for a stopper in the opponent’s suit (a ♠ stopper).
Raising Partner’s Suit in a 2/1 GF Auction
Another auction where we want to have many ways to raise partner’s suit is after a 2/1 GF auction.
Example 3
1♠ P 2♥ P
__?
3♥ 3+card ♥, extra values
4♥ 3+card ♥, minimum opening hand (fast arrival)
4♣ Splinter, 4+card ♥ support, 0-1 card ♣, not the worst hand.
4♦ Splinter, 4+card ♥ support, 0-1 card ♦, not the worst hand.
Here we have the principle of fast arrival as well as splinters to show our fit and express interest in slam.
Conclusion
When partner responds in a suit where we have a fit, they have just made the auction much easier on us. This is especially true when they have bid a Major. Your job is to let partner know that you have a fit and then do what you can to describe the rest of your hand. Usually, you have enough different bids to describe your strength (minimum, medium, or more). With some of these stronger hands you may also have enough bidding space to use a type of splinter (or other call) to let partner know if you have shortness or a more balanced hand. Make sure that you feel comfortable with all of the options available to describe your hand with a fit for Responder’s suit.