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Detail specifications 22FH - Level 2

The opener's reverse

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The opener's reverse bid is an auto-forcing bid. A reverse requires a hand worth 18 points.
The responder must give priority to his major suit and repeat it when he holds a 5 carder. The sequence is game forcing, therefore any bid the responder will make is game forcing, except :
  • Major suit repetition with at least 5 cards.
  • Artificial 2 NT, slowing down the pace ! allowing the opener to sign off in part-contract if he has a minimum reverse hand

These two bids are forcing for one round. The opener is going to give precisions about his hand. And the responder will either pass, or go to game. Remember, apart from these, any bid is game forcing !.
6
5
Q
5
A
K
Q
10
9
A
K
9
8
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
J
7
2
6
4
6
5
4
3
7
6
5
Artificial 2 NT shows a weak hand (5-7 HCP) and doesn't guarantee any stopper.
 
3
J
8
4
A
K
Q
10
8
4
A
Q
J
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Pass
10
6
5
4
A
K
9
5
3
5
7
6
5
2 shows 5 cards but doesn't give any indication about the strength
 
 
Responder's bid.
If the responder holds a 5 card major, he must repeat it !

But there are exceptions, of course :
  • With both majors 5th, he jumps and bids the other major (with gathered honors in both majors !)
  • With a strong support in one of the opener's suits, and slam ambitions : ... jump raise

SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
Q
10
9
7
4
K
9
7
6
2
J
8
4
Quiz 2
Even with a weak hand, repeat your 5 card major
 
Q
10
8
5
A
K
Q
9
7
A
K
10
8
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
A
K
J
9
5
A
8
7
8
3
Q
4
2
Quiz 2
Repetition of your 5 carder...even with a strong hand !
 
 
Artificial 2 NT ( forcing for one round)
This bid requires 5-7 HCP (or more with slam ambitions...) ; the opener now knows a game might be tricky
  • When the opener rebids his first suit, the responder may pass or support the second suit. That's slamming on the brakes !

  • When the opener names a 4th suit , he's got a 5-4-3-1 distribution (might also be 5-4-2-2) and enough strength for a game

  • A
    J
    7
    2
    6
    4
    6
    5
    4
    3
    7
    6
    5
    SWNE
    1
    Pass
    1
    Pass
    2
    Pass
    2NT
    Pass
    3
    6
    5
    Q
    5
    A
    K
    Q
    10
    9
    A
    K
    9
    8
    The responder has bid 2NT, the opener holds a minimum reverse hand and repeats his opening suit : the partner may pass.
     
    A
    J
    7
    2
    J
    7
    4
    6
    5
    4
    7
    6
    5
    SWNE
    1
    Pass
    1
    Pass
    2
    Pass
    2NT
    Pass
    3NT
    Pass
    Pass
    6
    K
    10
    9
    A
    K
    Q
    10
    9
    A
    K
    9
    8
    3 NT The opener knows there is no fit : 19 HCP and a stopper allow him to try a NT game.
     
     
    The responder's other possible bids.
    • Supports are encouraging : and some slam ambition (had he been weak, the responder would have bid 2 NT) .

    • 3 NT 9-12 HCP and above

    • 4th suit : game forcing That's a way to get more information on the opener's hand (and also means the responder doesn't hold a 5 card major)
    A
    A
    K
    J
    10
    A
    K
    9
    6
    5
    9
    8
    7
    SWNE
    1
    Pass
    1
    Pass
    2
    Pass
    3
    Pass
    3
    Pass
    3NT
    Q
    J
    7
    5
    Q
    7
    Q
    10
    4
    3
    K
    5
    4
    Quiz 3
    game forcing support With a stopper, the responder will be able to bid 3NT
     
    SWNE
    1
    Pass
    1
    Pass
    2
    Pass
    2
    A
    8
    7
    6
    A
    6
    4
    5
    4
    3
    8
    7
    2
    2 4th suit forcing, denies 5 cards. You would be happy with a 3NT game, but don't want to play it with your two lonely Aces !