1/1 Chapter 4

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 02/04/2026 - 10:10

Responding with weaker hands:
After a 1 of a suit opening bid:
Because 1NT is a game force, all other bids are natural and bidding continues in a normal fashion, but a
lot of responses are not strong and hence not forcing, something to be kept in mind. Keeping in mind
also that we are playing 5 card majors and that 1C can be as short as TWO.
Let’s take a look at responses to a 1C opening bid:

  • 1D, 1H, 1S: 6+ HCP and natural
  • 2C 6-9 raise in clubs
  • 2D weak, 6 card suit and no interest an any other suit
  • 2H, 2S weak, no interest in any other suit. Generally, expect this to be really weak, as with a normal
    response of 6-11 HCP would bid 1H or 1S
  • 2NT 10-12 and balanced, no major, probably 4+ clubs
  • 3C 10-12 5+ clubs
  • 3D, 3H, 3S longer but still weak

Responses to 1D opening are much the same as to 1C but keep in mind that opener has 4+ diamonds.
Responses to 1H opening:

  • 1S 4+ spades and 6-11 HCP forcing for one round. 1NT rebid now denies 3+ spades or 6+ hearts and
    is 12-15 HCP, 2NT rebid 16-18. But note that 1NT opening is 15-17
  • 1NT of course is game forcing
  • 2C 8-11 and 4+ clubs
  • 2D 8-11 and 4+ diamonds
  • 2H 3 card support and 6-9
  • 2S weak 6+ card suit
  • 2NT denies 3+ hearts, 10-12 HCP balanced
  • 3C, 3D long and weak, denies 3+ hearts
  • 3H 4 card support and 6-9
  • 4H 10-12 and four card support
  • PASS can be as strong as 8 HCP without 3+ card heart support or 4+ spades

Responses to 1S opening:

  • PASS can be as strong as 8 HCP if fewer that 3 spades
  • 1NT game force
  • 2C, 2D 8-11 and 4+ card suits
  • 2H 8-11 5+ card suit. Not forcing!
  • 2S 6-9 normal Acol raise
  • 2NT 10-12 denies 3+ spades, balanced
  • 3C, 3D, 3H long and weak
  • 3S 4 card support and 6-9