When responding to an opening one-level bid of a suit, there are two considerations: how do you show your distribution and strength?
A simple one-level suit response says nothing about strength, but it does start to show your distribution.
A two-level response guarantees a minimum strength (10+ points), but you should not misstate your distribution in order to show strength. This is a mistake that many beginners make.
If you have less than 10 points and no biddable suit at the one-level, then you will respond one no trump. This shows 6-9 points and does not promise a balanced hand.
We will cover raises in the next topic. In general, you should bid a major rather than raise partner’s minor opening immediately, and raise a major whenever possible.
Examples:
Assume opener starts with a one diamond opening bid. What do you respond with the following?
S xx H AQJxx D x C AKQJx Respond 1H, your cheapest 5-card suit. You will show strength on the next round | S QJxx H QJxx Respond 1H, your cheapest 4-card suit |
S Axxx You are not strong enough to bid 2C, so start with 1S. | S AKxx Respond with 2C, your longest suit, as you have the strength to bid at the two level. You will show spades on the next round. |
S xxx H xx D xx C KQJxxx Respond 1NT. You are not strong enough to bid 2C, have no other biddable suit at the one-level, but must respond. | S AQJxx H AKxx D - C AKxx Respond 1S, your longest suit. You will show strength on the next round and you do not wish to crowd the auction with a jump when there are multiple potential trump suits. |
The SBU teaches strong jump responses to an opening suit bid, where a jump response shows a strong single-suited hand and is game forcing.
This is less popular these days in the expert community and I suggest you play jump responses as most of the juniors do.
A jump response to the 2-level is WEAK, showing a 6-card suit, 5-9 points, and no fit with partner. It is non-forcing.
A jump response to the 3-level (below opener’s suit) is INTERMEDIATE, showing a 6-card suit, 10-11 points, single-suited and no fit with partner. It is non-forcing.
Although they consume space, they are well defined and allow opener to decide what contract is likely to be best.
S xx H AQJxxx D xx C xxx Partner opens 1D. Respond 2H, weak. | S xx H AQJxxx Partner opens 1D. Respond 1H. You have a fit with partner so you should not jump but need to show your heart suit first. |
S Axxx Partner opens 1D. Do not jump with a 2-suited hand, but you have enough strength to respond 2C. | S Axx Partner opens 1H. Respond 3C, showing a 6-card suit and 10-11 points. |
S AKQxxx H xx D Ax C AKx Partner opens 1H. Respond 1S, your longest suit, and show strength on the next round. | S AQJxx H AKxx D - C AKxx Respond 1S, your longest suit. You will show strength on the next round and you do not wish to crowd the auction with a jump when there are multiple potential trump suits. |