Response of 1NT to 1M "SEMI-FORCING" by UPH and limited (0-12 HCP); may conceal trump support with VERY WEAK HANDS or with LIMIT RAISES (three trumps); may bypass spades with heart support; may be weak with no fit and interest in improving the contract. JUMP SHIFT rebid by opener FG, thus VERY strong; JUMP REBID only with good suit; hence rebid of 2m by opener may conceal temporarily a very fine hand. For the sequence: 1H-1NT; 2C opener may have only two clubs because opener may have a fair 4=5=2=2 (i.e. too strong to risk a pass of 1NT because responder may have invitational values).
Responder's SECOND BID may be artificial raise of some sort (or artificial relay to sort out ambiguous strengths (see in particular the special sections that follow):
1S-1NT; 2m-?
1S 1NT
2C 2D* H, various hands
2H* Puppet to 2S, either 8-10 with 2S OR various other special hands
2S Very WEAK with 3+ trumps; up to 7 HCP with only 2 trumps (FAST ARRIVAL) 2N INV, but denies 5H or primary C fit
3C COURTESY raise
3D* NAT, attempt to sign off: defined as LESS THAN INV (FAST ARRIVAL) 3H Invitational, good 6+-card suit (DIRECT INV means good suit)
3S Limit raise: 3 trumps, denies 5+H, denies shortness (nothing special to show) 3NT* Big club raise, two small spades, scattered values: e.g. xx Kx Kxx KJTxxx 4C* “FIT” (special) big club raise with doubleton SA/K/Q: e.g. Kx xx xxx KJTxxx 4D* FIT (special), 4+D/6+C; decent diamonds; e.g. x xx AQJx QJxxxx
4H* FIT (special); 6H/4+C; NF (not a great HCP hand); e.g. x QJ10xxx xx AJ10x 4S* FIT (special double fit picture raise): e.g. KJx xx xxx AQxxx
4NT* FIT (special); 1=1=5=6, ace-fifth of D, strong C: e.g. x x Axxxx KQTxxx
1S 1NT
2C 2D* H, various hands
2H Would pass a weak to moderate 2H (NOTE that 1S-3D=H, weak or strong) 2S NAT, constructive, 2S/5(6)H
2NT NAT, H plus notrump 3C H+C, constructive 3D H+D, constructive
3H Invitational, based on a moderate 6+-card suit 3S Old-fashioned limit raise, 5+H/3S
3NT* NAT (but special, includes C FIT and SPL S): e.g. x A109xx KQ10 Q10xx 4C* x AJ10xx xx KJxxx (like a FIT JUMP with H+C and a S SPL)
4D* Qx AQxxx x QJxxx (like a FIT JUMP with H+C and a D SPL) 4H Lots of H
1S 1NT
2C 2D* H, various hands (opener, if strong, may go past 2H)
2S Good hand but NF, 6S/4(3)C (with weaker 6/4 rebid 2S over 1NT) 2NT Typically 5224, about 16+-18- HCP, but perhaps only 3C (5233) 3C 5/5+, extra values
3D* Fragment, too good to risk a pass of 2H (when responder has 5+H) 3H Three-card support, extra values for play in H
3S Very good (even 2S=good) hand 6+S/4(3)C 3NT 5S4C22, everyone else's jump shift
Higher Freak hands
1S 1NT
2C 2H* Puppet to 2S; opener expects 8-10 with 2 trumps (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPECIAL) 2S Opener’s “expected” action when not strong, expecting 8-10 with 2S
Pass The end: responder’s route to 2S with 8-10 and two spades (SLOW ARRIVAL) 2NT* INV, NAT but SPECIAL: hence with C fit (4+), needn’t be balanced, denies 5H 3C INV, unsuitable for 2NT (more or less UNBAL, stronger than direct 3C) 3D INV, at least a fair 6+ card suit (direct 3D over 2C=weaker)
3H INV, based on a fairly weak 6+-card suit
3S* Limit-raise, 3-card support with an undisclosed singleton (SLOW=SPECIAL) 3NT* Big club raise with SPL small S (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4C* Big club raise with SPL SA/SK or SQ (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL) 4D* Big club raise with SPL D (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4H* Big club raise with SPL H (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4S Big club raise with VOID in S; e.g. --- Kxx Axxx Q10xxxx
4NT FIT (special); 1=2=4=6, ace-fourth of D, strong C: e.g. x xx Axxx KJTxxx These methods preclude playing in 2D and do not offer opener a choice between 2H and 2S when responder has 2S/5H (although the methods often permit a choice between 2S and 3H). The price for being able to develop the auction sensibly on all other hands is very low.
1S 1NT
2D 2H* Puppet to 2S (alas, we can't play in 2H)
2S Very WEAK with 3+ trumps; up to 7 HCP with only 2 trumps (FAST ARRIVAL) 2NT INV "Normal" (but may contain 5H; opener shows 3H on way to 3NT)
3C WEAK (FAST ARRIVAL)
3D COURTESY raise (FAST ARRIVAL)
3H Invitational, good suit (DIRECT INV means good suit) 3S Limit raise: 3 trumps, balanced
3NT* Big D raise, two small spades, scattered values: e.g. xx Kx AJTxxx Qxx 4C* FIT (special): big D raise, 5+D/5+C; decent C; e.g. x xx Q10xxx AQJxx 4D* “FIT” (special) big D raise with doubleton SA/K/Q: e.g. Kx xx AQTxxx xxx 4H * FIT (special); 6H/4+D; NF (not a great HCP hand); e.g. x KJTxxx KJxx xx 4S* FIT (special double fit picture raise): e.g. KJx xx AQxxx xxx
1S 1NT
2D 2H* Puppet to 2S; opener expects 8-10 with 2 trumps (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPECIAL) 2S Pass The end: responder’s route to 2S with 8-10 and two spades (SLOW ARRIVAL)
2NT* INV, NAT but SPECIAL: hence with D fit (4+), needn’t be balanced 3C INV; at least a fair 6+ card suit (else improvise via 2NT or 3C over 2D) 3D INV (SLOW ARRIVAL)
3H INV, defined as “not a good suit” (else direct 3H over 2D)
3S Limit raise: 3 trumps plus undisclosed singleton (SLOW=SPECIAL) 3NT* Big D raise with SPL small S (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4C* Big D raise with SPL C (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4D* Big D raise with SPL SA/SK or SQ (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL) 4H* Big D raise with SPL H (SLOW ARRIVAL=SPL)
4S* Big D raise with VOID in S; e.g. --- Kxx Q10xxxx Axxx
4NT FIT (special); 1=2=6=4, ace-fourth of C, strong D: e.g. x xx KJTxxx ATxx
Although we can’t finish in 2H after 1S-1NT; 2D, responder won’t often have as many as six hearts with a weak hand (1S-3D=H, weak or strong). In general, use FAST ARRIVAL with the WEAKER of two hands with similar pattern. Also, use FAST ARRIVAL with so-called “normal” hands; i.e. a natural jump suggests a better suit than arriving at the same destination via a relay. With “support” hands, SLOW ARRIVAL is used to show important SHORTAGE while FAST ARRIVAL shows important LENGTH in relevant side suits.
If the partnership would prefer NOT to use the 2H puppet over opener’s 2D rebid, here is a simple scheme:
1S 1NT
2D Nothing fancy
2H NAT, NF (5+ hearts; but with 2S5H use judgment) 2S Covers a fair bit of ground
2NT NAT, may conceal 5H (opener can check back with 3H on three) 3C Wide range, not too well-defined
3D May be only a COURTESY raise, but could be INV 3H INV, 6+ cards, quality unknown
3S Limit raise (three-card support)
3NT* Big diamond raise with SPL S, spread-out values 4C* FIT; 5+C/5+D, decent clubs
4D* Big diamond raise with SA/K/Q singleton or doubleton 4H* 6H/4+D, not a great hand
4S* Special double-fit raise: e.g. KJx xx AQxxx xxx
4NT* Big diamond raise, enormous trumps, side A or K, SPL S NOTE that the trade-off for “natural” is a great deal of ambiguity as to strength.
1H-1NT; 2m-?
1H 1NT 2C
2D* Puppet to 2H: either 8-10 with 2H or various hands with D
2H Very WEAK with 3+ trumps; up to 7 HCP with only 2 trumps (FAST ARRIVAL) 2S* ART F1, various INV hands without primary D (opener uses REJECT advances) 2NT NAT, no club fit (roughly 3=2=5=3)
3C COURTESY raise
3D INV, good 6+-card suit, something in spades 3H Limit H raise; 3-card support, balanced, not 5D
3S* SPL S; H (“limit raise”) + C support: e.g. x Qxx xxxx AK10xx
3NT* Big C raise, two small hearts, scattered values: e.g. xx Kx Qxx AJTxxx 4C* “FIT” (special) big C raise with doubleton HA/K/Q: e.g. xx Kx xxx AQTxxx 4D* SPL D; H (“limit raise”) + strong C support: e.g. xxx KJx x AJTxxx
4H* FIT (special double fit picture raise): e.g. xx KJx xxx AQxxx
4S* VOID S SPL for clubs: e.g. -- xx Kxxxx KJTxxx (denies both 3H and H control) 4NT* FIT (special); 1=1=(5-6), ace of D, strong C: e.g. x x ATxxx KJTxxx
1H 1NT
2C 2D* Puppet to 2H: either 8-10 with 2H or various hands with D 2H* Would pass 2H if responder has 8-10 with 2H
Pass The end with the 8-10/2H hands
2S* INV, good 6+-card D suit, two or three small spades 2NT* NAT, focus on 6-card D: e.g. Kx xx AJTxxx Qxx 3C NAT, 5+D/4C, constructive
3D INV, lesser 6+-card suit 3H* Limit H raise, 5+D, balanced
3S* SPL S; H (“limit raise”), 5+D, perhaps some C support: e.g. x Qxx AK10xx xxxx 3NT* D+C, SPL small heart, NF: Ax x AJTxx QTxxx
4C* D+C with SPL HA/K/Q: e.g. xx A ATxxx Qxxxx 4D* D+C with SPL H, DA: xx x ATxxx AJTxx
4H* D+C with void H; e.g. xx --- ATxxx KJTxxx 4S* D+C with void S, e.g. --- xx AQxxxx KJxxx
4NT FIT (special); 2-1=4=6, ace-fourth of D, strong C: e.g. xx x ATxx KJTxxx 1H 1NT
2C
2S* ART F1, various INV hands (not D), (opener uses REJECT advances) 2NT* Would pass an INV 2NT that includes a C fit
3C* Enough to accept a NT invitation but not an invitation based on club support 3D* Would accept both a NT and C invitation and have 1=5=3=4 shape
3H* A 6th heart and therefore enough for game although perhaps 1=6=3=3/3=6=1=3 3S* Would accept both a NT and C invitation and have 3=5=1=4 shape
3NT Extras, 2=5=2=4, full stoppers in both doubletons
Responder’s hand types for 2S: NT with a club fit; invitational C raise, 3-card limit raise in H with a SPL, but not willing to go past 3H to show it. With the limit raise type, responder should bid 4H (or 3S or 4D)
1H 1NT
2D Nothing fancy here
2H Covers a fair bit of ground as there’s only one way to reach 2H 2S* ART F1, various INV hands (opener uses REJECT advances) 2NT NAT, but not a primary D fit
3C Relatively weak (FAST ARRIVAL) 3D COURTESY raise
3H Limit raise, 3-card support, balanced
3S* SPL S; H (“limit raise”) + D support: e.g. x Qxx AK10xx xxxx 3NT* NAT, big D fit plus spread-out values, SPL H
4C* SPL C; H (“limit raise”) + D support: e.g. xxx KJx KJxxxx x 4D* Big D raise, with fitting top honors in H
4H* Special limit raise, with big D fit, balanced: xx KJx AQxxx xxx 4S* SPL raise of D, C control (not three hearts)
4NT* Big D raise, side A or K, SPL H: e.g. Axx x KJTxxxx xx)
1H 1NT 2D
2S* ART F1, various INV hands (opener uses REJECT advances) 2NT* Would pass an INV 2NT that includes a D fit
3C* Enough to accept a NT invitation but not an invitation based on long clubs
3D* Would accept both a NT and C invitation but not an invitation based on D support 3H* A 6th heart and therefore enough for game although perhaps 3=6=3=1
3S* Would accept all invitations, short in S (1=5=4=3, 1=6=4=2; 0=6=4=3 3NT Extras, expect 2=5=4=2, full stoppers in both doubletons
Responder’s hand types for 2S: NT with a diamond fit; invitational D raise, invitational with a long club suit, 3-card limit raise in H with a SPL, but not willing to go past 3H to show it. With the limit raise type,
responder should bid 4H (or 3S or 4D) once opener bids higher than 2NT over the artificial 2S.
1M-1NT; 2m-2NT; ?
1S 1NT
2C 2NT NAT, no prime C fit
3C NF, 5+/5+
3S FG, 6+/4 or 6/3
3D* ART, FG; 5=2=1=5/5=1=2=5 and 5=1=3=4 but never includes 3H
3H NAT, FG: 5=3=1=4/6=3=0=4, also perhaps BAL with 5=3=(2-3) to find 5/3 H fit 4C FG, at least 6/5
1S 1NT
2D 2NT NAT, no prime D fit
3D NF, 5+/5+
3S FG, 6+/4 or 6=3=3=1, perhaps 6=2=3=2
3C* FG, 5=2=5=1/5=1=5=2 and 5=1=4=3 but never includes 3H
3H NAT, FG: 5=3=1=4/6=3=0=4, also perhaps BAL with 5=3=(2-3) to find 5/3 H fit 4D FG, at least 6/5
1H 1NT
2C 2NT NAT, no prime C fit
3C NF, 5+/5+
3H FG, 6+4 or 6/3
3D FG, more D than S
3S FG, more S than D 1H 1NT
2D 2NT NAT, no prime D fit
3D NF, 5+/5+
3H FG, 6+/4 or 3=6=3=1, perhaps 2=6=3=2
3C FG, more C than S
3S FG, more S than D
1S-1NT; 2H- ?
[includes the Mittelman Adjunct] 1S 1NT
2H 2S Covers a lot of ground (only one way to reach 2S) 2NT NAT, NF, up to a poor 12 HCP
3m NAT, also fairly wide-ranging
3H Courtesy raise (responder bids aggressively, opener conservatively) 3S Three-card limit raise
3NT* ART, game raise in hearts with a high honors in spades
4m* ART, game raise in hearts with a source of tricks in the bid minor 4H Often a slight stretch
4S NAT (special), something like: KQx KQx xxxxx Jx 4NT RKCB1430-H: you’ll know it when you see it (in 2050) 5m NAT, gambling actions
1S 1NT 2H 2NT
Pass Minimum, no extra distribution
3C* Artificial; FG values, extra distribution, puppet to 3D 3D FG, “natural,” i.e. 5=4=4=0 or 5=4=3=1 3H 5/5+; NF: e.g. KJxxx AQJxx x xx 3S 6/4; NF: e.g. QJ10xxx AKJx xx x 3NT NAT 1S 1NT 2H 2NT 3C* Puppet to 3D 3D* Forced
3H 5/5+; FG (but not 6=5=1=1 completely CONCENTRATED)
3S 6+/4; FG
3NT* 5=4=0=4 or 5=4=1=3, FG with club length 4C* 7=4=2=0, slam hopes (else 3S)
4D* 7=4=0=2, slam hopes (else 3S)