Suit shift 2/1

Basic principles
A 2/1 suit change promises 11HCP (10HCP with a 6 carder) and no maximum.

It is forcing
and auto-forcing, The responder commits to bidding again after any rebid below game.

Rules for responding :

First the longest suit
With 2 4 carders, The cheapest suit first
With 2 5 carders, bid the most expensive suit first. The second will often be bid later, economically

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Exercise E20365 2♥ With 2 5-carders, the responder bids the most expensive suit first.

Opener's rebids at 2NT or 3NT

On a 1 ♥ or 1 ♠ opening and after a suit change 2/1, a 2NT rebid shows a regular hand 5/3/3/2 with 15 to 17HCP That could not be opened 1NT.
On an opening of 1 ♦ and a 2 ♣ response, 2NT shows a regular hand and 12-14HCP. It can't show 15-17, as such a hand would have been opened 1NT
In all cases, in that situation (Suit change by the responder at the 2 level), a 3NT rebid shows a 3rd zone hand (18-19HCP)

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Exercise E20366 2SA With 15-17HCP Could not open 1NT because of his 5 cards in ♥

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Exercise E20367 The opener has a regular hand and 18-19HCP. With a very strong hand, the responder can continue the bidding to investigate a possible slam.

Support in the responder's suit
Suit changes by the responder promise at least 4 cards in the suit ; il So the opener must have 4 cards in that suit to show support. There is one exception : A 2♥ response after a 1♠ opening promises 5 cards in ♥

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Exercise E20360 The responder's bid promises 5 cards in ♥ . The opener can show support with 3 cards

The repetition of the opening suit after a 2/1 suit change by the responder
The repetition of the opening suit after a 2/1 suit change by the responder may be the only way to keep the bidding at a low level. Let's not forget that the 2/1 response is auto-forcing.

The repetition of the opening suit by the opener is merely a 'waiting bid' showing a 1st zone hand (12-14H)
The jump repetition of the opening suit by the opener shows a strong 6 cards suit and a 2nd zone hand.(15-17H)

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Exercise E20372 The opener is forced to repeat his ♥, although he only has 5 cards. (2NT would show 15-17HCP...which he does not have...)

Main

Detail specifications UB11 - Level 1 ★

Suit shift 2/1

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