Responding Bids - An Overview

Counting your HCP (High Card Points) and DP (Distribution Points) is the same for the responder as for the opener, the difference is that the responder can bid with a minimum of 6 points.

As responder you need to show the strength and cards in your of your hand

There are different bids to show the different strengths of responder's hand.

Showing your suits

If you don't have enough of your partner's suit, it isn't possible to support your partner's opening bid. Sometimes you need to explore by bidding, looking for a better 'fit'of suits between you and your partner.
In Bridge a fit occurs when you have 8 cards in the same suit between you and your partner.

If you bid a new suit you are showing more than 6 points and if you bid in a new suit this is a 'force' on your partner who now must keep the bidding going (a "forcing" bid) for one more round. This bid also promises that you have at least 4 cards in the suit.

Rebidding at 1 level shows minimum, medium or strong points

If your bid is at the 1-level this shows your partner you have at least 6 HCP, you may have a lot more points than 6 but try to keep the bidding as low as you can as this allows more room to explore for a fit (possessing 8 or more cards in one suit between you and your partner.
If your partner opens a suit and on their second bid shows another suit, it is your responsibility to look at your hand and tell them which of the suits your hand is better suited for playing.

This is known as showing 'preference' if you have equal numbers of cards in both suits (as you will have in the practise game below) you should return partner to their first bid suit because it will be longer.

Responding With 6-9 points

Bid (show) a suit at the 1-level if possible, you must have 6+ TP to respond at the 1 level
Bid 1NT to show you have 6-9 HCP and no major suit
If you have two four card major suits and 6+ points bid the lower ranked first (hearts)

Responding With 10+ points

To respond at the 2-level, you need 10+ HCP and a 4 card minor suit
with a major suit at the 2-level, you need 10+ HCP and a five card major suit
To raise your partner's suit to the level of 3 you need 11+ TP and 4-card suit support
If you have 11-12 points and no five card major suit bid 2NT

Showing Preference

When partner bids two different suits - even if you have no points you show them the suit that your hand prefers.
Do this by leaving them in their second suit if you prefer it, or return them to their first bid suit at the lowest level possible if you hold equal numbers of cards in each of their suits.

Responding With 5-9 points and 5 of your partners Major suit

Jump to Game in partners Major Suit at the least it will interfere with opposition finding their suit, its unlikely that you and partner have slam.

Instant Progress Quiz - Check all the correct answers

Exercise: Partner opens the bidding with 1♦ and you have the hand below. What is your bid?

Responder

♠J 9 8 6 5
♥K 6
♦A 6 3
♣A 10 7 6

Your Bid: Answer: 1♠. Keep the bidding as low as possible when changing suit. Here you cannot bid 2 ♥ because you do not have a 4 card heart suit and 10 TP's. It is wrong to bid 2♣ showing 10+ points and 4 clubs and it also denies 4 spades.

Practice This Lesson

Practice Responding to Partners Opening Bid

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Extra for Experts

A different game on the same subject as this lesson, with questions for community discussion in the comments area below.

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