Bridge Lesson 16: A New Suit in Reply and the 1NT Reply

When partner opens one of a suit and you cannot raise, you usually bid a suit of your own. A new suit at the one level shows four or more cards and about 6 or more points, and partner must bid again. A new suit at the two level over 1♥ or 1♠ shows opening values and, in 2/1 Game Force, the bidding system these lessons use, commits your side to game. In SAYC and Acol the same reply needs only about 10 points or more.

The new-suit reply is how most fits are found. Partner opened with one suit; you show another; partner now raises you, shows a third suit or rebids notrump, and the picture fills in.

Over 1♣, 1♦ or 1♥ you can often reply in a higher suit without going past the one level. The rules:

• Four or more cards in the suit you bid.
• 6 or more points, with no upper limit. A reply of 1♠ can be 6 points or 18.
• Forcing for one round. Opener must not pass, so you never need to jump to show a good hand.

Which suit first?

1. With one long suit, bid it.
2. With two five-card suits, bid the higher-ranking one first.
3. With two or three four-card suits, bid the cheapest one first (up the line), so opener can show another four-card suit at the one level.

One modern exception is common: over 1♣ with a weak hand, many players show a four-card major before a longer diamond suit, so the major fit is not lost if the auction gets high.

When your suit ranks below opener's, you must reply at the two level: 1♠ to 2♣, 1♥ to 2♦. That takes more space and pushes the auction higher, so it needs more strength.

A two-level reply usually shows four or more cards in a minor. A reply of 2♥ over 1♠ promises five hearts, because with only four you would have other choices; some 2/1 pairs also play 1♠ - 2♥ as not quite game forcing, so agree it with partner. In 2/1 Game Force the two-level reply over a major is the bid that tells partner you have opening values of your own, as long as you have not passed already (see what 2♣ means in every system). With about 10-11 points you start with 1NT instead and show your suit later.

Over 1♦, a reply of 2♣ is forcing as well (many 2/1 pairs play it as game forcing too).

Bid 1NT when you have about 6-10 points (6-12 over 1♥ or 1♠) and no better bid: no fit to raise and no suit you can show at the one level.

• Over 1♣ or 1♦, 1NT denies a four-card major, because you would have bid it at the one level.
• Over 1♥, 1NT denies four spades, for the same reason.
• Over 1♥ or 1♠, it does not promise a balanced hand. It can be a hand that is too weak to bid a new suit at the two level.

In 2/1 Game Force the reply of 1NT over 1♥ or 1♠ is forcing for one round and shows about 6-12: opener must bid again (see what 1NT means in every system). Some pairs play it semi-forcing, so opener may pass with a balanced minimum. Over 1♣ or 1♦, 1NT is not forcing. In SAYC 1NT shows 6-10 and is never forcing: opener may pass. Acol players use a range of about 6-9, often a little higher over 1♣.

You hold 6 HCP with four spades and four hearts. A lazy 1NT ends the auction: partner has a minimum and passes. Bid 1♥, the cheaper of your four-card majors. Partner, with 13 HCP and four spades, rebids 1♠, and you raise to 2♠ with four trumps and a weak hand.

Double-dummy analysis gives 2♠ by North nine tricks. 1NT by either of you takes only five. The reply of 1♥ kept the one level open for partner's spades, and that is the whole point of bidding up the line.

For more on the basic structure, read bidding basics. To practice replies on many hands, the BridgeDummy Bidding Room lets you bid random deals with EPBot robots in the system you play, from 2/1 and SAYC to Acol.

Previous lesson: Lesson 15: Raising Partner. Next lesson: Lesson 17: Opener's Second Bid. Full course: Bridge lessons for beginners.