Responder's support bids of a major at the 3 level

Responder's support bids of a major at the 3 level
The major difficulty of a 3 level support bid is determining:

if they are forcing and with slam hopes
if Game invitational
of even if they are pre-empts and need to stop at the 3 level

Two major rules of support bids are :

Rule 1 : after a 2/1 suit shift all support bids at the 3 level indicate Slam possibility and are 100% forcing
Rule 2 : after Responder's 1♠ bid, all support bids at the 3 level are forcing and are much stronger than a 4♥ jump bid

S	W	N	E

Problem 20152 After a 2/1 suit shift all support bids at the 3 level indicate Slam possibility and are 100% forcing

S	W	N	E

Problem 20155 After Responder's 1♠ bid, all support bids at the 3 level are forcing and are much stronger than a 4♥ jump bid

After a 2/1 suit shift
all support bids at the 3 level

indicate slam possibility
these bids are 100% forcing

The major support can be bid on the 1st or 2nd round of bidding.

Generally all bids that follow are control bids or a 4NT to see if all controls are present

S	W	N	E

Problem 20153 3♥ Support bid with Slam possibility

S	W	N	E

Problem 20154 3♥ , support bid at the 3 level (no jump) of Opener's 2nd suit is also a possible Slam bid.

After Responder's 1♠ bid on a 1♥ opening all support bids at the 3 level are forcing and are much stronger than a 4♥ jump bid
This rule applies on Opener's 1NT, 2♣ or 2♦ rebids. If Opener repeats his ♥ ... this is an exception! (there are always exceptions to the rules)
Only exception to Rule 2 : If Opener rebids his hearts after Responder's 1♠ bid, a support bid at the 3 level is Game proposal but very often with only a 2 card fit

S	W	N	E

Problem 20155 After Responder's 1♠ bid on Opener's 1 ♥ bid all support bids at the 3 level are forcing and are much stronger than a 4♥ jump bid

S	W	N	E

Problem 20158 Here the 3♥ support bid isn't forcing. Opener has now shown 6 cards, Responder has bid minimum support. It's up to the Opener to decide...

Support bids at the 3 level are possibile Game invitation
These support bids are non-forcing and are Game invitation : it's up to the Opener to decide

Direct support bid : 1♥ - 3♥ shows a 4 cards fit and approx 9HCP
Support bids of 6 card major after
- 1♠ and 10-11HCP
- 1NT maximum (10HCP)
and very often only 2 card support fit
Support bid of the major bid at the 1 level but on the 2nd bidding round : 4 cards fit and approx 10-11HCP
3♥ support bid after a 1NT responding bid on a 1♠ opening

S	W	N	E

Problem 20159 Minimum Game invitation with less than 11HCP. Opener needs a 2nd zone hand to accept.

S	W	N	E

Problem E 20162 3♠ Game invitation

Main

Detail specifications 22DE - Level 2 ★

Responder's support bids of a major at the 3 level

Footer